THE TOP OF THE TREE

In regards to the remarks of the head honcho of the Property Council of the Illawarra, a pro-lobby group for developers, of moving on from the ICAC findings. Maybe he can also explain to the ratepayers of the Wollongong LGA the deal they did with Rod Oxley over free rent for premises as controversially reported in the Mercury. Does he actually think the ratepayers will forget this?

I also think that normal lawful procedures in the dismissal of council would have shown that administrators would be put in place, not because the Illawarra Business Chamber recommended it.

There is also nothing to gloat over here; this a tragedy for Wollongong LGA. To think that these people in council, found corrupt, were in a position of trust. That the ratepayers were treated like a plaything. A game of Monopoly.

The top of the tree spread its shadow to all corners of the LGA. The ICAC only covered a small part.

Alan Bond

THE FALL OF ROD

The four-page article (Mercury 11) devoted to the fall of Rod Oxley stated he said his job was to grow the city. No, it wasn’t. Certainly not in the job description of a general manager of Council.

In the Local Government Act 1993 the function of a general manager is generally to be responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the council’s organisation and for ensuring the implementation, without undue delay, of decisions of council.

His job was also the day-to-day management of the council. To exercise such of the functions of the council as are delegated by the council to the general manager and so on. There is nothing about growing the city. He was a public servant paid by ratepayers to basically captain the ship, not to hit an iceberg.

The incredible statement from David Campbell about important choices being made outside the office must be investigated. What a foot in mouth slip this was.

Our money is being made to make decisions at the movies? What popcorn or Minties?

As for visionary developments, come to Stanwell Tops and see the monstrosity on the escapement rim. A monument to Rod Oxley’s delegated authority.

Politely put, an everlasting monument to everything that went wrong. 

Alan Bond

FINDING THE CORRUPT

Don’t jump the gun on charges, says expert in the Mercury Oct 10.

However, this was not a normal trial as that statement indicates. This was an inquiry into Wollongong City Council which resulted in findings of corrupt conduct of those named.

Regardless of whether they actually get charged with what constitutes a crime in the eyes of the law, the point is the findings of this lawful process found them corrupt.

To us laymen, that sounds pretty clear. This is their shame. They were people in a position of trust. Now eternal shame to them. Everyone one has the right to turn their back on the corrupt. For consider their families, because they surely didn’t.

Alan Bond