Residents of Moyne will receive their ballot papers for the council elections this week.
I urge every voter to take careful consideration of who will best serve their community and put the interests of the citizens of Moyne first.
We need councillors who are independent and not beholden to any group or faction on the council or outside it.
We need the council to change from the current negative attitude towards our communities to a positive approach with the priority being to engage with our communities in delivering the services and infrastructure that are needed by all of us.
We need councillors who concentrate on the business of providing good local government to our communities.
Too often our councillors seem distracted by things that are superfluous to their councillor duties.
Rather than meddling in industrial relations with staff, a role clearly the responsibility of the CEO, they should be developing policies that allow and support staff to deliver the things our communities are crying out for.
Having spent 10 years as a municipal inspector and governance analyst with the Victorian government, I am aware that there needs to be an overhaul of the shire’s procedures if it is to deliver good government that is open, accountable and responsive.
There appears to be great nervousness that a candidate who will keep the councillors to account could be elected.
With support of the voters from all of Moyne’s communities, I will do just that!
Kelvin Goodall, Shaw Street, Mortlake