Letters, October 26, 2022

Mayoral candidates
I WATCHED the live-streamed Mt Barker Council Mayoral debate via the Mt Barker and District Residents Association on Tuesday 11 October (still available as a video and well worth a watch).
I was so disappointed when Mayor Ferguson said she didn’t have much power, or much input into the council budget. She went on that she’d continue to do what she’d done for the past 16 years, with what she had control of, which wasn’t much.
In contrast, contender Councillor David Leach said he wasn’t happy about the current council situation, would press for an investigation into developer contributions, push to limit rate rises to within CPI, engage more with ratepayers via town hall-style meetings and look for ways to trim council expenses.
Like a chair of a company board of directors or a State Premier with a cabinet, the Mayor should be the leader.
Leaders inspire, have vision and can take people with them.
There’s a saying by John Maxwell: “The pessimist complains about the wind. The Optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”
We need councillors with fresh ideas, more motions from councillors – not just following meeting agenda set by council staff. Plus we need a Mayor who is prepared to lead.
It’s about toe to toe negotiations with State and Federal Government and developers in order to secure Mt Barker’s future as the second-biggest city in SA and engaging with the community.
Brian Calvert, Mt Barker

New interchange
MAY I congratulate the editor for the fantastic summary of why we need local papers of the calibre of The Courier.
Over the years the editorial has often also made thoughtful comment on international affairs too.
To comment on Rob Gilbert’s proposal for a main road to parallel the freeway all the way to the Echunga Road ... well, I agree that a neat interchange is needed at the intersection of Echunga Road and the freeway.
However, to build a road parallel to the freeway through those lovely quiet neighborhoods,  is not the answer.
The answer is a third interchange for Mt Barker.
For Mt Barker is now an honorable city, in its own right, so needs better accessibility to the freeway, sadly missing in the complete lack of regional planning
Caroline Johnson, Aldgate

Hospital gratitude
A SHOUT out to the Mt Barker Hospital emergency team.
Thank you for your great work under enormous pressure!
P. Perrin and M. Morgenstern, Strathalbyn

Council record
IN RECENT days electoral corflutes have appeared in the local area for the upcoming council elections.
As ballot papers for Alexandrina Council’s election have started arriving in the post, I conducted an internet search about Lance Bagster.
He is one of six candidates seeking election for the North Ward.
The search revealed the following ABC headline from October 2018 (just prior to the last local government election), “Re-election ‘untenable’ for Burnside councillor found guilty of maladministration”.
Before voting I urge members of our community to search for and read the article, and the Ombudsman’s online public report referred to in the news  report.
In view of the turmoil, instability and significant costs incurred by our local Alexandrina Council over the last few years, can the election of someone with this record transition our council to a better and more stable future?
Geoff Warren, Langhorne Creek

Political correctness
DURING recent years it’s been very noticeable how weather severity has influenced our climate.
Bushfires, cyclones, droughts and floods have become more regular with a new severity not previously experienced.
Interesting how when reporting these events they are described as occasional, seasonal, 10 year event and 1000 year floods.
Are authorities and commentators too frightened to use the real reason of climate change or is this just political correctness in their eyes?
Glen Chenoweth, Goolwa North

Terrorist state
WHEN will the Federal Government get it’s bottom off the fence and declare Russia and its criminal leader Vladimir Putin a terrorist State?
Seize all Russian assets in Australia and kick out their diplomats?
We see every day what this monster is inflicting on innocent people but only pay lip service to condemnation of this holocaust.
Come on, PM Albanese, show these murderers what we Aussies think of them!
Clive Bulmer, Forreston

Livestock welfare
I QUITE often drive down the freeway.
Almost every time I see pigs, sheep or hens being transported.
It’s distressing to contemplate their lives prior to this last drive, never seeing the light of day.
In the case of hens crammed in tiny cages, feet on wire with a sloping floor, to deliver their eggs into a ready receptacle.
Not even able to flap their wings.
It’s ten years or more for battery hens. Is this the best we can do for them?
Charlotte Rischbieth, Echunga

Fossil fuels
BURNING fossil fuels to produce energy is the prime cause of human induced climate change.
Last financial year government subsidies for fossil fuels cost the people of Australia $11.6 billion.
Surely now we have a newly elected Federal Government we can expect to see energy subsidy practices that discourage rather than encourage the growth of man induced climate change.
Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank