When you take on a position of responsibility, representing people, there comes an unquestionable undertaking.
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In putting your hand up for something like a local council, you are saying you are prepared to honour the commitment required to hold a position on that representative body at all personal cost.
Last September, this city undertook an election which cost the Wollongong ratepayers almost one million dollars. A new council was elected. One of those councillors was Chris Connor.
In December we learned the Labor councillor was taking a new job. When challenged by the Illawarra Mercury back then, he maintained he would continue serving his represented residents of Dapto, Port Kembla, Berkeley and Warrawong.
“I will be at the end of an email or phone call, and I will receive all the briefings and everything else the councillors receive,” he said.
“I’ve got projects and things I’m overseeing – this is a short three-year term and I am going to make sure the interests of my ward and going to be represented.”
Less than 12 months later, Mr Connor resigned saying he found it too difficult to represent his constituents from Tamworth. Really? Who would have thought?
Now, because of archaic legislation which is going to be and should be changed, the city will be forced to hold a byelection at a cost of $300,000. Yes, $300,000. You read that right, it is not a typo.
The Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said it best this week when he suggested, ratepayers would be “pissed off no end” with this situation.
“I just think personally, that when you do stand for a position, you have a real responsibility to represent well, and also stick in there and see it through,” the Lord Mayor said.
Once again the Lord Mayor has managed to capture the general sentiment of his region in one short burst.
How this can happen and why in this day and age ratepayers are forced to go back to the polls for one position is beyond comprehension.