No Democrary in Crookwell
Over the past few years I have lobbied Council, as is my democratic right to do, on a number of issues. I remained very concerned that the Councils Director of Planning is operating a private consultancy. I am concerned about the closure of the Collector Tip without consultation and the lack of maintenance in Collector as opposed to other villages. etc etc. I was concerned that the General Manager wrote to my employer releasing a large volume of personal information without my consent and that in a time of economic hardship Council is wasting money on five star hotels and dinners for the General Manager's wife.
Following my last complaint to John Bell, Council subsequently passed a resolution in closed session that "I am declared as a vexatious person" and further that Council staff be directed not to deal with me in the future. The Council will not provide any reasons for its resolution or release copies of the business papers to me. This is harsh and oppressive treatment indeed.
Recent comments
- It is an act of God unless
1 week 5 days ago - A great Marina has been built
2 weeks 8 hours ago - Dudes, you're smart enough to
2 weeks 5 days ago - I agree. I'm on Francis
2 weeks 5 days ago - No one can enter any
2 weeks 5 days ago - A resident of the road in
3 weeks 3 days ago - GTCC have not yet said they
4 weeks 3 days ago - Hi Anonymous, We were the
4 weeks 4 days ago - Agian anti-social behaviour
5 weeks 6 hours ago - Received a letter from the
6 weeks 29 min ago
Comments
I believe this person has a genuine grievence with Council as I have read his allegations before. It is correct that the Director of Environment & Planning (E&P) consults back to Council (i.e himself).
This is not the first time this issue has arisen, it is on public record. Anyone can read the Council Business Papers and find other people with the same complaint. Are they all making it up? He even advertises this business on his previous Council's website (i.e. Goulburn Mulwaree).
It is common knowledge that certain Council E&P staff will resort to bullying and standover tactics if they are challenged. There are just too many anecdotal accounts for this issue to be dismissed. Some Council staff are not open to criticism, but need to be held accountable for their actions just like any other member of the public.
Read the comments left by other ratepayers in the Crookwell Gazette's comments column to get an idea of ratepayers sentiment - it is all negative (that is if they have not been edited out).
Tell all your friends about this website and keep the comments coming!
copies of business papers can be found here
http://upperlachlan.local-e.nsw.gov.au/council/15219.html
Wow, when you read these comments below from other ratepayers, you come away thinking something's going on in Upper Lachlan Shire and it isn't all good.
http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/gen...
How can so many people have complaints about Council and Council just carries on as if nothing is wrong?
For more on the contemptible way Upper Lachlan Shire staff treats residents, refuses to relese information and lack of community consultation see this webpage.
www.collectorvoice.com
Sign the petition at:
http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/save-historic-collector-creek-tim...
I fully agree with the "bullying and standover tactics" comment, they have tried everything to silence my complaints.
How is this Council able to continue to operate like this? It is 2010 not the wild wild west.
I lived in Crookwell for many years, John Bell, John Shaw and Robert Mowle are three of the most arrogant men you could ever meet. They will have no hesitation in applying intimidation and bullying to anyone who speaks out. The Council is basically bankrupt and really only exists to keep these guys employed. The Council needs to be amalgamated with Goulburn/Mulwaree Council so that some of the ratepayers can actually be spent on services not perks. I feel sorry for the person posting this complaint, I know how he/she feels, they cost my mother thousands in legal fees fighting their stupidity.
How do Councils continue like this? Because neither the NSW Ombudsman, the Local Government Authority, the Ministers of Local Government (shadows included), the Premier or the Leader of the opposition have the capabilities.
They are capabilities they have but do not want to utilise.
Take a look at Canterbury Council. A NSW Ombudsman investigation found they failed an elderly woman and her neighbours on a number of fronts yet its recommendation was for Council to provide her with a disingenuous apology.
That's exactly what Council did and they just continue to perform exactly as they had. The ratepayers have been been fed consistent lies, as was the Ombudsman investigation and although the Ombudsman report detailed and exposed them stating this Council lacked leadership - nothing whatsoever has changed.
On a recent complaint to the Ombudsman the response was Council employs professionals!
"Professionals" do not make irresponsible decisions that endanger the lives of the public. Nor should they provide Councillors, the public and the media with dishonest responses.
Neither do honest "professionals" need to deny providing the ratepayers with the consultants report under the Freedom Of Information Act. Unless that is they have something to hide from the public - which they must.
The most recent collapse can be seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/SupportMallone/BayviewAvenueCollapse
And a number of others (not all) can be seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/SupportMallone
To see how popular the Uper Lachlan Shire General Manager is see this newspaper article.
Residents of Crookwell are calling for his sacking.
http://www.crookwellgazette.com.au/news/local/news/general/collector-bri...
John Bell should have been sacked years ago, the only reason he got the position was he was GM at Gunning and they had to give him the job at Crookwell. I dont know why they renew his contract. Time to get a professional Manager. Is is not a job for a farmer these days, you need an understanding of management, accounting and more importatntly some people skills.
I have actually met the gentleman who made the original complaint here, he is a really nice smart guy who would not complain for no reason. The Council can not stand any complaints and starts the bullying and standover tactics.
Time for an amalgamation with Goulburn Mulwaree Council. Whilst they are not perfect they are more accountable and under constant scrutiny. Incompetence seems to be acceptable in the Crookwell community.
I agree, lets have another amalgamation. ULSC is bankrupt both financially and intellectually. Lets have a Council (and staff) who plays by the rules, complies with legislation and treats residents with courtesy and respect. The complainant in this case appears to have done nothing other than expose corrupt conduct in Council.
I can't beleive the corrupt manner in which this Council operates and the "could not care less attitude" of John Bell. Some of the folks over at Collector have had a real fight on their hands over the bridge issue. Council wont listen, they wont obey the law and when the going gets rought they use bully boy tactics. Bring on amalgamation and get rid of this antiquated organisation which is stuck in a timewarp in Crookwell.
I worked for ULSC for a year or so. I had to leave as I could nolonger tolerate their suspect practices. The General Manager John Bell dictates everthing that happens in that place. He is a mircomanager in the extreme.
We had a protacted battle with ULSC resulting in the GM threatening legal action. Very stressful
They (Upper Lachlan Shire Council) have been bullying my 92 year old grandmother over her sewer connection. How low can you go?
Bastards
Well it appears that after so many complaints, this Council has finally done something about the Director of Planning and he has now "resigned". How this situation has been allowed to go for so long is beyond comprehension.
Not Mr Conflict of interest Robert Mowle?
Are you sure he does not 'work' there anymore?? Someone said the gentleman is still often seen there so you tell me what is going on???
They are now employing him as a consultant. This is how they do business at the ULSC> Jobs for the boys
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