So our new Premier Nathan Rees is considering scrapping the pegging of municipal council rates, which will naturally enough leave the door open for another swipe at we ratepayers.

Enough is enough for the majority have had enough of hearing and reading about the wastages that occur in most councils, not to mention the number of projects that exceed their budgets and never seem to get finished.

Haven’t you been reading the newspapers Nathan? There’s supposed to be a major economic crisis out there and opening any door for ratepayers to have to pay more is not welcome.

Interesting times ahead   

And whilst on the subject of politics one must look at the charges laid by ICAC against some of our former city councillors, and one in particular involving Frank Gigliotti.

The former Dapto councillor is charged with providing misleading information, which was in relation to an alleged certain meeting between local MP Noreen Hay and a developer(s).

The various parties are divided about the event, but placed back in the witness box both Gigliotti and Hay will be strongly questioned about the matter.

Both can’t be right, so the outcome could well plunge the city into another sea of controversy and bad publicity.

Another blot on our landscape

Nothing surprises me anymore particularly when it comes to our greatest white elephant of them all, the Bulli Tops Visitors’ Centre.

Beginning with an original estimate to develop of about $1.5 million it is now thought that a further major blowout will see the cost go as high as $11 million, $8 million of which we are told will have to come from ratepayer funds.

And when it’s finally finished how many ratepayers will ever go there?

Is nothing safe anymore?

I wrote some time back about going to a funeral in a local church and being somewhat taken aback by the change of some wording to the 23rd psalm, but this latest move by the Greens in our Federal arena regarding a change to or abandonment of the Lord’s Prayer really takes the cake.

Evidently the prayer is said before each sitting of parliament – day after day – and the Greens want it scrapped or replaced with a period of reflection.

Does this mean that our pollies will reflect about the booboos they made the previous day, or what they had for dinner last night, or how their favourite footy team might go next weekend?

Next we’ll want to get rid of the national anthem and/or our national flag! A much better idea would be to get rid of a load of politicians and have just one government taking care of us!!

Left, Left, Left

March about to start in earnest.    A Labor Party led march is about to get under way in Wollongong but this time there is not likely to be any “rights” with the “lefts” usually associated with any decent parade.

I’m told that the Left is already busy behind the scenes working towards representation in local parliamentary seats, including perhaps that of Throsby which is currently held by one of their own ilk.

There’s already a rumour circulating about likely branch stacking and other dirty deeds and it seems there are at least two local ALP identities, both with strong union backgrounds, who have their eyes on a life in politics and the future picture is not likely to be a pretty one.

The latest on West Dapto

Our Member for Shellharbour Lylea McMahon is quoted as saying any delay beyond mid - November in the long awaited decision on land development at West Dapto would be most unacceptable.

Well, I can tell you Lylea that my latest mail is that no decision is likely until at least mid – December.

Travel is still OK

Have it on pretty good authority that at least one of our local travel businesses is flat to the boards keeping up with the demand for their limousines to take people to and from various airports.

You just cannot put a finger on how bad the economy is faring. Or is it?

Some good news

The annual Christmas party for disadvantaged and disabled children staged each year at the WIN Entertainment Centre by the KidzWish Foundation is on again on Friday 21 November and already some 2000 youngsters have indicated they will be there.

And what’s more the Charity Ball which follows at night has attracted more than 500 people to date with veteran musician Geoff Harvey and his Big Band, our own Scott Radburn and internationally acclaimed illusionist Raymond Crowe among the star performers.

Tickets are still available by calling Rhianna on 4236 0292.

Just to cap it all off the KidzWish Magical Playground at Para Meadows School for the Disadvantaged will also be officially opened on Tuesday 11 November.

Built with the help of a $50,000 donation from KidzWish the playground was also backed by many local businesses, and just recently 11 men and one woman from the Albion Park Bush Fire Brigade helped lay the new turf, which is in itself a further indication of the public support for this very worthwhile project.