The recent series of articles in our local daily querying what’s gone wrong with our city and asking for comment on what might be done to reshape it has been most interesting to say the least.
People suggesting the Crown Street Mall and main streets are tired and rundown, the amount of abandoned building sites that are around and the Labor–dominated politics are on the right track, but what about the burning question of the lack of real leadership.
Now I know I’ve often raised this point in the past, but it’s a fact of life we don’t appear to be able to solve.
We really haven’t had a get-up-and-go mayor since the late Frank Arkell, who was well-supported by the council of the day, many of whom were active business people at the time.
Those were the days when the council was non–political and with the help of BHP and other major businesses we went forward with pride.
But where are the leaders we need right now and into the future?
A good question!
The only one I can think of who’s got the ideas and the drive to implement them is Wendy Fogarty out Corrimal way.
If we ever get a chance to re–elect our own councillors again Wendy for Mayor would suit me.
Not all lost
But there was a recent ray of sunshine when the Burelli St traders took the council management on about the new parking meters and had a win.
More of this is what’s needed.
And while on the subject of parking meters, the one-hour limit is next to hopeless, particularly if you want to do some shopping or get involved in a business discussion, let alone try and squeeze in a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment. We don’t need Andy
I note that former union rabble-rouser Andy Gillespie might put his hand up for Labor pre–selection for the State seat of Shellharbour.
If he happened to be successful it would just be another bad step back in time for the citizens of that electorate.
And after all the damage he caused with his ongoing attack against BHP some years ago he doesn’t deserve a look in.
Go back into hiding Andy, you’ve caused the city enough trouble in the past.
When will it go away
And I notice with the announcement of at least a $77 on-average rate slug next year, the Blue Mile still gets a mention.
Haven’t we spent enough money on this project already?
As I’ve also said in the past those people who come from down Dapto way, for example, don’t need to use it when it’s easier and less costly for them to skip across to Port Kembla and enjoy far better water scenery.
Interesting
It was interesting to read about the latest tourism Facebook pages that show the Gold Coast is still Australia’s biggest tourist attraction by miles with Newcastle up there and Wollongong trailing away, sitting even behind Batemans Bay and Mudgee.
Jamberoo Action Park was by far our most popular tourist venue with Symbio Wildlife Park, Gerringong and Austinmer all getting a mention.
At long last
The much-promised Centrelink Customer Service at Warrawong has finally come to fruition with an office on the corner of King and Cowper Streets.
I reckon it will get a lot of customers, me included.
Let’s hope not
And here’s hoping a weird suggestion that home postal services might be scrapped and you would have to get your mail from an automated community post box never comes to fruition.
Where would this leave people without a car, many old folk and those incapacitated as far as movement is concerned?
There’s already some strong opposition to the proposal but more is needed.
NRL goes backwards
So what if some Melbourne Storm players received extra sidekicks so they would play with the team?
It’s been going on for years and I can well remember when the then BHP Steelers accommodated three or four new signings in plush Cliff Road apartments and nobody took any notice.
I only hope the NRL looks at each club’s books etc.
And, by the way, attendances at matches hasn’t shown any rise since last season with the Aussie Rules, for example, luring some 140,000 more people to their games over the Anzac weekend. | 
