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The debt crisis
I was surprised to learn from the ABC TV 4 Corners program on Monday that approx. 300,000 home buyers are having trouble meeting mortgage payments. One couple interviewed were evicted and are now living in a double garage in the same street; their home did not sell at auction. When asked why they kept on taking the loans, she replied "They kept offering them to us".
Another unpleasant surprise was the extent of credit card debt - and the news that the largest lender, GE, continues to issue cards [from various off shoots of GE] to people who have already had other cards withdrawn because of inability to pay their debt. Some people apparently have numerous credit cards all up to their limit and are only paying the low monthly repayment rather than the whole debt! Yet it appears there are no shortage of companies prepared to give a credit card to anyone who requests one.
I don't expect economics to be taught in schools, but I do expect life skills and budgeting to be taught. Otherwise the belief in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus
and we are entitled to everything, will continue until we are a nation of bankrupts.
Fergie Bottomline
Unquestionable integrity
So we should let democracy thrive, as the heading of a letter stated, Mercury 2 April. The words “unquestionable integrity” were also used to describe the three administrators of Wollongong City Council.
Yet in view of comments in another letter about one of the administrators regarding their approval in obvious delegated authority of the Port Kembla smelter and how it was going, with the smelter dead and buried, shakes the branches of the tree a bit. Particularly when that same administrator was in the NSW planning department when the push was on for the Helensburgh expansion into speculated land and catchment areas in the early 1990s. Well, there was no expansion and residents claimed victory with the help of local politicians including Councillor David Martin and David Campbell, now Police Minister.
Interesting that at the same time when that administrator was appointed, 83 acres went up for sale in Helensburgh. This does not mean a connection, far from it. Just interesting.
Alan Bond
WCC Administrators
I understand the meeting lasted 36 minutes, but was well attended by the public and some former councillors.
Something must be happening, I now find I get replies to all my emails to WCC on various matters, not just an acknowledgement.
I don't think a new council in Sept would be a good idea.
Let this trio clean out the stable first.
Fergie A sad day for the Illawarra
It was good to see the former independent councillors, Dave Martin, Alice Cartan, Carolyn Griffiths and Andrew Anthony in attendance at the first council meeting of the three administrators. It shows their continuing concern for the community is
real regardless of now being just like the rest of us, which they always were.
The administrators must have a continuing dialogue with the community as deemed under the Local Government Act.
There are no comparisons with Liverpool Council. There were no neighbourhood community meetings, most of the zonings were straight forward.
But the Illawarra is different. A diversity of zonings with the most important ones dealing with significant, sensitive environmental areas. From the National Heritage Listed Royal National Park and Garrawarra Conservation Areas around Helensburgh including water catchment Special Areas to way down south involving the Illawarra Escarpment and even the coastal communities.
Already there is new significant destruction to the escarpment rim at Stanwell Tops that unbelievably is deemed legal and a sad day for all in the Illawarra.
Communities must put politics aside and work together to keep an eye on their area. It is good to see this is already happening. Dubious developers must not win.
Alan Bond
An ICAC for private enterprise
In regards to the Fraternity Club woes, it’s a pity that ICAC does not look into private business, considering some of the people involved have appeared before ICAC in regards to their roles at Wollongong City Council.
In articles in the Mercury, it was shown that the Frat’s financial woes were soon revealed after one character left the Frat. It was soon after this, again reported in the Mercury, the WCC experienced their loss of $1.5 million in a waste into energy fiasco.
The same character involved left a distinctive trail of incompentence yet still managed to get up the ladder.
Yes, it’s a pity that private enterprise doesn’t have ICAC, but then again, would they ever find anyone guilty to more than just give a slap over the wrist? Certainly the public would never know the embarrassment but maybe the shareholders would.
Alan Bond Topline
The A-League bid is very much on track for 09/10
Interesting comments, perhaps you would like to talk to our General Manager, Stuart Barnes or myself about the venue.
Cheers
Milton OBrien
Events & Marketing Manager
WIN Sports & Entertainment Centres | 
