Les Lauder - Brave Heart of Fremantle
Donna Haney’s Special Meeting of Council was one of the most impressive and awe inspiring experiences I have ever witnessed. This woman epitomized the term ‘Quiet Achiever’. She doesn’t appear to have much to say but, she listens with her heart and brilliant mind. When she took the floor last Tuesday night, she articulated extraordinary insight, compassion and common sense solutions.
The councillors who showed up at the meeting had one thing in common; they would not be intimidated and they were there to fix a wrong. The fact that Mayor Tagliaferri did not attend the meeting spoke volumes and leaves us all wondering about his motives and long list of platitudes. Ironically, the meeting proved to run more professionally under the leadership of Deputy Mayor John Dowson.
It was clear that Georgie Adeane, Bill Massie, Shirley Mackay, and Alice King had done their homework and had the interest of the people and a strong determination for a fair and ethical outcome; regardless of political opposition. This was also evident of the others who attended; all who came voluntarily, at short nice and some sacrificing other obligations.
Cr Fittock was the only councillor who appeared indifferent and distracted and whose summary didn’t seem to make much sense.
If ever there was a ‘Brave Heart,’ none would measure up to Cr Les Lauder. After years of sarcastic remarks, condescending looks and seemingly covert opposition, he stood proud and passionate to the very end. His fight for fair-play and honestly has been long but his tenacity and fierce determination to get things right for Fremantle and its people is phenomenal.
Respect for politics, politicians and public servants is generally low. The people of Fremantle are fortunate to have a group of councillors who really care and are willing to do the hard yards.
Perhaps it is a good thing that the jaded Mayor is ready to move on; time leave Freo in the hands of the people who still have fire in their bellies and real reasons for being there.
Labels: alice king, bill massie, donna haney, fremantle council, fremantle markets evict tennants, georgie adeane, john dowson, Les Lauder, Peter tagliaferri fremantle mayor, shirley mackay
posted by Editor at 8:59 AM
9 Comments:
The "brave heart" shows his true colours:
Fremantle councillor wins retrospective roof approval
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25549391-5017009,00.htmlGlenn Cordingley, civics reporter
May 27, 2009 09:10pm
A FREMANTLE councillor who replaced an asbestos warehouse roof without authorisation has been given retrospective approval - despite public anger.
City of Fremantle councillor Les Lauder told The Sunday Times three weeks ago he was not aware he needed permission and his architect regarded the work as "essential maintenance".
He later said he was away overseas and was not aware the work had been done.
A new iron roof has since been fixed over the building in Blinco Street, Fremantle, which has a total area of about 2152sq m.
An amendment by Cr Bill Massie was carried asking council officers to prepare a detailed report on exactly what work had been carried out without council permission.
During public question time, Cr Lauder's contractor said some areas of the asbestos had been "flaking" and posed a potential risk.
He said the asbestos was stored and wrapped and left in a roadside skip.
But ratepayer Terry Gabriel fumed that everyone was missing the point and Cr Lauder, a former planning committee chairman, had carried out the work without the necessary approvals.
"It seems to be one law for him and another for everyone else," Mr Gabriel said outside the meeting.'
"That asbestos posed a public health risk and how do we know it was removed in compliance with regulations?
"The skip was open and the warehouse has not been fenced off.
"All that aside, this bloke has gone ahead and carried out the work regardless. What sort of message does that send to ratepayers?
"It's a dangerous precedent that has been set by council tonight."
It is not certain whether Cr Lauder faces a fine, given that he has been granted retrospective approval.
"I support this without fear or favour," Cr Jon Strachan said.
Latest Comments:
Cr Lauder should resign immediately; it's a disgrace!
Posted by: Stephen of White Gum Valley 9:22am today
What a disgrace, imagine if the Mayor had done this. there would have been apublic flogging,town hall meeting, and call for him to resign. What hipocrites,regards Cliff
Posted by: Cliff of Freo 9:09am today
Where were Occupational Heath and Safety officers while all this was going on. If the Architect was a 'professional' he would know the rules regarding asbestos and needs a rev up too!
Posted by: Ron of Success 8:26am today
Gary, I take your point and yes, you are right - laws should apply to all. At the end of the day though, we are only talking about a piece of bureaucratic paper. I hardly think it worthy of a public stoning.
I can’t help but wonder how or why it made its way into the Sunday Times. The article also states that he has now been granted retrospective approval, so suggesting he should resign over the issue is a bit melodramatic don’t you think?
I am sure that most people couldn’t care less about the councilor’s roof and I would suggest that your hostility comes from something other than this issue.
With all your self-righteousness and call to action I wish you would involve your passions in something more significant. Why not use your time, talent and abilities to help us save the markets and the people who have seriously lost their livelihoods?
If you really feel angry about unfairness, then why not comment on the eviction of Richard Murphy or the stall reductions, outrageous rent increases and miscellaneous outgoings, the intimidation, the lack of compensation for businesses forced to walk away or the pure greed of the Murdoch’s?
Les Lauder has copped a huge amount of opposition and bullying over his determination to correct these injustices. He was right and outspoken from the beginning and continues to be so. He has put hundreds of hours of his own time into this travesty and if you ever took the time to look over council minutes you would find that it is usually Les Lauder that stands up to ask the hard questions. AND he follows up with action.
Unlike the councilors at last weeks meeting; eating peanuts, fidgeting with pens and staring at the ceiling.
There will always be small minded, nit-picking critics but the Les Lauder’s of the world will always be supported and protected by the people who they have lifted along the way.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Good to see censorship at work
A grain of sand in large enough numbers can stop any machine.
Ghandi
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ryan, everything you said has already been said in a previous post. If you have a problem with * then I think you should address it in a more direct way. This blog is not a forum for petty and personal atttacks. Unless your comments are relevant to the Fremantle Market issue or something of interest to others then I reserve the right to delete them.
When anger becomes an obsession it becomes dangerous and very unhealthy to the one holding the anger. Why not put your energy into something greater than this?
I was once angry with a person, and it did poison me.
A very, very smart person then told me that if angered, I simply had to speak my mind, get it off my chest, perhaps defend myself once, but then let it go.
Otherwise, it would have eaten at me.
I agree with the above post, once you have vented your displeasure in something, then turn your energy towards something constructive.
Plant a tree.
Read to a child or a senior citizen.
Volunteer to help unemployed or those down on their luck.
It helps you to sleep better at night.
My best wishes to all and my wishes for peace across the world.
Re: "This blog is not a forum for petty and personal atttacks" - Sonya, this comment makes you the biggest hypocrite in the world. Your blog is nothing but a miasma of personal attacks. You asked why the Sunday Times chose to report on the matter described above; I was pointing out that more than one media outlet deemed it worthy of coverage. Perhaps Les Lauder isn't the saint you make him out to be?
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