The Missing Mayor

Last nights rally for Richard Murphy and the following meeting of Fremantle Council was inspirational. Politics is not my gig but this one has me completely fascinated. Im not sure if its about Greed, Ego, Personal agendas or Ambition but things are out of control and people are being hurt. Mayor Tagliaferri seems to be largely responsible for the mess that the other councillors are desperately trying to clean up. He has had 18months (and more) to "Look into it" but last night he didn't even bother to chair the meeting.

Green's candidate Adele Carle has only had the story for a little over a week and yet she spent last week end walking the streets, talking with people and arranging a rally. SHE has done more this week than Tag's has done in the last few years.

Expect great things from this girl. Our 6 beautiful, passionate and ethical councillors finally convinced the others to step up and do something - the agreement was unanimous. Tagliaferri is now on his own and has been asked by Deputy Mayor John Dowson to resign.

Colin Wright called for the Eviction of the Murdoch's and the crowd roared in agreement. More on Colin's speech in the following blogs. Below is my little piece - addressed to "The Missing Mayor."

"I was offended by the mayors absence at the last meeting. Tonight, I am glad to see that he is not here again. It just confirms that he acknowledges his redundancy."

The old adage, “Don’t fix what aint broke” should be the catch cry of this fiasco.
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The Markets have been the jewel in the crown of Fremantle for decades. Popular, profitable, successful, world renowned and much loved.

To take something that is unique, and turn it into something commonplace, is mindboggling.

Regardless of the fair market rent argument, it seems pretty clear that the proposed Market Super Deli is equally responsible for the price hikes. Basically, the current stallholders are being bullied into financing a venture, which will ultimately destroy their business as well as the markets.

Any fool can see, that people will not come from the outer suburbs to buy smallgoods which are readily available in most supermarkets. Who wants to taste wine at Freo markets, when they can sit at the Sail and Anchor or the Norfolk and drink what ever they like? Or they can cruise away, up to the swan valley. Fremantle is famous for fresh seafood and cafes, so why would the Markets want to compete in such an inferior way. Do you really expect tourists to come to Freo to experience the excitement of packaged meat?

No, Mr Tagliaferri, this is your pet project, and it’s personal for you. Go back to your deli and do what you love, but don’t inflict your emotional or psychological attachments on the Freo Markets.

There is so much I would like to say about the Murdoch’s, but what’s the point? We don’t expect anything from either party now –it’s up to the people of Fremantle to sort this out. After all, they do OWN the markets.

There is only one question that I would like to have answered, on record.

Do you, or will you, have any financial or personal interest in the market redevelopment?

Update: The mayor has replied and he said "No."