Freo councils unintended consequences

Whenever I speak about Fremantle Council I feel I should add a disclaimer. Some members of the council have given us so much support that I want to exclude them from the generic term of council. For the purpose of this blog I say Fremantle Council as a body or as a process, rather than as a collective mix of members.

I think it is important that the people of Freo know who has or will have the integrity to fight for them; after all, isn’t that why people vote for their members?

Kudos to: John Dowson, Georgie Adeane, Donna Haney, Sam Wainwright, Bill Massie, Andrew Sullivan and I will also still include Les Lauder for his enormous contribution.

The genuine depth of compassion, the tireless work and attention to detail, the stress and opposition they have endured and the ongoing tenacity is awe inspiring.

Reading through this month’s council minutes I feel we are all trapped in ‘groundhog day’. The issues or the arguments appear to change but basically it comes down to this:
Half the council know they screwed up but want to put it to bed and move on.
The other half tried to prevent it before it happened and have spent all this time trying to fix it.

John Dowson has spent months trying to create an alternate trading environment for the victims of the new market lease debacle. His vision not only offers great prospects for the stallholders but will potentially bring more visitors into the area and actually compliment the other market.

But, as is the way with bureaucracy, it all appears to be nit picked to death; the customary reports, meetings, financials, legal implications, proposals, terms and conditions, strategies and blowing smoke rings in the air. It will end up where it always ends up – just shredded paper for the next ticker tape parade – probably the next mayoral election.

It has already taken months to get it to ‘consideration’ stage. It will take at least a year before it could possibly become an actuality. If and or when it ever gets an affirmative we will find that all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put humpty together again.

Glen Dougall will probably write something along the lines of: due to the severe lack of public interest, the decline of the Fremantle Markets and the disinterest of ‘dislodged’ stallholders we have deferred making further considerations - but will continue to monitor the situation.

For the latest post:
http://sonyagreen.blogspot.com

Fremantle Market rally pictures

Hundreds of Fremantle locals came to the Jan 31st rally to protest and show support for the Fremantle Markets. This is only a small glimpse but a poignant one, as once again, the same councillors who fought in the beginning are the same ones who showed up to let us know they are still listening. Donna Haney, John Dowson, Georgie Adeane, Bill Massie and the always present Les Lauder's energy.
Adele Carles; a politician who gets things done with intelligence, honesty and heart. (Watch this space for greater things to come)
Colin Wright's speech had me in tears and the people cheering and ringing bells.
Georgie Adeane: A councillor who still remembers why she joined council. When the soul of the city is respected and valued by it's leaders - it shows.
Ed's shop - closing down. Ed organised the rally and the sadness of this eviction was heartfelt throughout the port city.
sonyagreen.blogspot.com

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.