Illawarra Airport thread
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the rag
This thread has from time to time talked about the disgraceful behavior of the local rag referred to as the mockery and its less than honorable reporter for Shellharbour. If anybody believes what is written here is not the truth they should look into what happened last weekend in the mockery.
On the Friday the mockery wrote an article where it stated that the victimized aviator from Shellharbour, Peter Holstein, was in fact a person who spoke frequently at council and tried to paint him as a nuisance who was part of the reason public participation had to end. This was not true and simply an attempt by the journalist to discredit Mr. Holstein.
On Saturday a retraction was printed. Verity should start reporting the facts and stop misleading the editor. His stories so far have been biased and a long way from the truth.
ICAC, DLG and other bodies please take note of this.
Mr. Editor why has Verity still got a job?
On the Friday the mockery wrote an article where it stated that the victimized aviator from Shellharbour, Peter Holstein, was in fact a person who spoke frequently at council and tried to paint him as a nuisance who was part of the reason public participation had to end. This was not true and simply an attempt by the journalist to discredit Mr. Holstein.
On Saturday a retraction was printed. Verity should start reporting the facts and stop misleading the editor. His stories so far have been biased and a long way from the truth.
ICAC, DLG and other bodies please take note of this.
Mr. Editor why has Verity still got a job?
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They should have learned by now.......
Last ouncil meeting, council approved the cessation of public participation at council meetings. This proposal was put forward by the GM citing the publics' attempt to hijack the public participation process as his reasoning behind the move.
The next day, 4 councillors submitted a reccission motion on the decision which effective 'sets aside' this decision until it is revisited by the council as a whole. (Standard practice actually.)
Well, now the GM and Mayor have decided that the decision will be revisited in the normal form however, the decision of council is to be upheld no public participation will be allowed at the next meeting despite the fact that the decision that cancelled this has been subject to a reccission motion......go figure?
To top all this off, at the meeting where public participation was outlawed, the GM presented to council a report and spoke on the matter personally. In his address, he informed everyone that his council was pretty unique in the scheme of things as they were one of the only councils in the state that allowed public participation.....well guess what (?) a check of over 60 councils finds that only 2 so far do not allow public participation!!!
So just were did Attilu the Hunn and his band of miscreants find their information? Your guess is as good as mine!
The next day, 4 councillors submitted a reccission motion on the decision which effective 'sets aside' this decision until it is revisited by the council as a whole. (Standard practice actually.)
Well, now the GM and Mayor have decided that the decision will be revisited in the normal form however, the decision of council is to be upheld no public participation will be allowed at the next meeting despite the fact that the decision that cancelled this has been subject to a reccission motion......go figure?
To top all this off, at the meeting where public participation was outlawed, the GM presented to council a report and spoke on the matter personally. In his address, he informed everyone that his council was pretty unique in the scheme of things as they were one of the only councils in the state that allowed public participation.....well guess what (?) a check of over 60 councils finds that only 2 so far do not allow public participation!!!
So just were did Attilu the Hunn and his band of miscreants find their information? Your guess is as good as mine!
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I hope I am not pre-empting anyone here, but a very reliable source close to the right people has today confirmed that this council will be in administration within the next 4 months. This can be seen as both a good thing and a bad thing:
Good A chance to ditch some of the councillors and staff who have been bleeding the system to death for way too long and a chance to review all council's recent decisions (away from the stoolies)!
Bad A slap in the face for those councillors and staff who have attempted to do the right thing by their community!
Anyway you look at it; it is almost over for this scandalous council and certainly not before time.
This can be seen as both a good thing and a bad thing:Good A chance to ditch some of the councillors and staff who have been bleeding the system to death for way too long and a chance to review all council's recent decisions (away from the stoolies)!
Bad A slap in the face for those councillors and staff who have attempted to do the right thing by their community!
Anyway you look at it; it is almost over for this scandalous council and certainly not before time.
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TopGun Gone!
Appears TopGun is a spent force. Know of several enquiries from irate ticket holders trying to get a refund with NO LUCK!
Appears the boss has pulled the pin on the operations, Cheif Engineer has walked with a pile of money owed to him personally and many ancillary operators looking for some funds too including for maintenance and hangarage. Saddest part is the 350+ punters that look like they've lost on average $1500+ each.....and this slimy council keeps telling people that all is ok and they will be back in the air come Christmas.....thank goodness nobody can make contact and possibly loose even more hard-earned dosh to this mob!
Oh, and just as an aside; the little incident at Goulburn reported here first, was such a little incident that it is alledged that the aircraft was a write-off!
Appears the boss has pulled the pin on the operations, Cheif Engineer has walked with a pile of money owed to him personally and many ancillary operators looking for some funds too including for maintenance and hangarage. Saddest part is the 350+ punters that look like they've lost on average $1500+ each.....and this slimy council keeps telling people that all is ok and they will be back in the air come Christmas.....thank goodness nobody can make contact and possibly loose even more hard-earned dosh to this mob!
Oh, and just as an aside; the little incident at Goulburn reported here first, was such a little incident that it is alledged that the aircraft was a write-off!
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Fidel and Idi - move over!
Tonight, I had the misfortune of witnessing the most disgusting example of democracy in action in the little backwater of Shellharbour, NSW. At the monthly council meeting tonight, I watched as the Mayor ejected a member of the public from the gallery for smiling! Can you actually believe it? A member of the public gallery smiled and the Mayor removed him from the gallery! (Not a word or noise was uttered by the ejectee)
These council meetings are usually attended by one security guard available however tonight saw 4 in attendance......this is at a council meeting that has NEVER seen any type of behaviour that would warrant such a response....except of course unless the mayor and his trusty henchmen intended to stir up some form of trouble. (Smiling was about the best they could extract from the gallery.)
In the Mayoral Address, reserved for the end of the meeting, the soggy old bag of wind used his priviliged position to abuse members of the public for daring to circulate a petition of
NO CONFIDENCE in the mayor which has gained considerable support from the general public over the last few days with several thousand signatures already gathered.
On the issue of the airport, some very serious matters concerning alleged corruption is again in the spotlight with appropriate agencies finally taking the matter seriously!
Stay tuned....these matters are a long way from over and any outcomes will be published here first!
Can you actually believe it? A member of the public gallery smiled and the Mayor removed him from the gallery! (Not a word or noise was uttered by the ejectee)These council meetings are usually attended by one security guard available however tonight saw 4 in attendance......this is at a council meeting that has NEVER seen any type of behaviour that would warrant such a response....except of course unless the mayor and his trusty henchmen intended to stir up some form of trouble. (Smiling was about the best they could extract from the gallery.)
In the Mayoral Address, reserved for the end of the meeting, the soggy old bag of wind used his priviliged position to abuse members of the public for daring to circulate a petition of
NO CONFIDENCE in the mayor which has gained considerable support from the general public over the last few days with several thousand signatures already gathered.
On the issue of the airport, some very serious matters concerning alleged corruption is again in the spotlight with appropriate agencies finally taking the matter seriously!
Stay tuned....these matters are a long way from over and any outcomes will be published here first!
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Just for the record......
Shellharbour City Council is now officially the most complained about council on record! (It is Official!)
Additional, and until recently, undiscovered alleged issues about the airport and certain unacceptable business dealings have come to light and have been forwarded to the appropriate agencies best positioned to investigate such matters. A retired council staffer has come clean and has a lot to say about certain dealings and certain senior council officers; proving to be the veritable mine-field!
Despite requests from the public and independent councillors, Curley is refusing to issue any information about the cost to the community for a recent legal action (AVO) against the mayor. He is claiming that the public have no right to know how much this action cost for his community-funded legal representation. (He's kidding right???)
These matters are promising to come to a head when they are again tabled in state parliament next week.......it could be Administrators at 40 paces!
Additional, and until recently, undiscovered alleged issues about the airport and certain unacceptable business dealings have come to light and have been forwarded to the appropriate agencies best positioned to investigate such matters. A retired council staffer has come clean and has a lot to say about certain dealings and certain senior council officers; proving to be the veritable mine-field!
Despite requests from the public and independent councillors, Curley is refusing to issue any information about the cost to the community for a recent legal action (AVO) against the mayor. He is claiming that the public have no right to know how much this action cost for his community-funded legal representation. (He's kidding right???)
These matters are promising to come to a head when they are again tabled in state parliament next week.......it could be Administrators at 40 paces!
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This little gem was uplifted from the old blow-hard's ramblings on councils website:
Larry...would you like to explain how you come to the conclusion that the public participation process has been abused when the public have been participating in exactly the manner required by council's own rules for participation? AND, how do you explain your claim that your council is one of only a handful in the state offering public participation when the truth is more like 90% of councils in NSW allow public participation in this same form?
Is there going to be a time sometime soon when you people will stop the lying to the community and come clean on ALL the local issues including the alleged corruption regarding the airport?
Why don't you do it BEFORE the administrator is appointed and save the community (and your cronies) a whole lot of grief and unnecessary cost?
I have been very disappointed to hear that some locals are not happy with Council’s vote last meeting to have a cooling off period for the public participation component of Council meetings. I must reiterate that Council is NOT cancelling public participation nor have we ever stated this. The ability for the community to speak at Council meetings – either for or against an item – is a privilege which should be fiercely protected. We live in a society which affords us the freedom of being able to voice our opinion without fear and I am proud this council is one of only a handful in the state which offers public participation at council meetings. Unfortunately in recent months, the process of public participation has been abused. Residents can be assured that council is not trying to stifle public debate – we are simply reviewing the process of the public participation to ensure it returns to being a fair and equitable vehicle for both supporters and opponents to be involved in the decision making process. The community is now being given the chance to make comment and suggestion on how this can be achieved. I would hope the people who are protesting against our cooling off period will also contribute constructive ideas. Written submissions should be forwarded to Council by 4pm on Wednesday 30 November 2005. Submissions should be addressed to the General Manager, Shellharbour City Council, PO Box 155, Shellharbour City Centre NSW 2529 or delivered to 1 st Floor, Lamerton House, Lamerton Cres, Shellharbour City Centre.
Is there going to be a time sometime soon when you people will stop the lying to the community and come clean on ALL the local issues including the alleged corruption regarding the airport?
Why don't you do it BEFORE the administrator is appointed and save the community (and your cronies) a whole lot of grief and unnecessary cost?
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Re Top Gun, on 22/09 Propswinga wrote:
On 11/11 ASKARI wrote:
Hate to say this guys, but the website appears to be running fine, and somebody put the ad in today's Sydney Morning Herald (page 37 of Spectrum). So what gives? 
No association with the company, just intrigued.
All over bar the shouting! Their website is down and nobody is taking their calls on the freebee number!
TopGun Gone! Appears TopGun is a spent force. Know of several enquiries from irate ticket holders trying to get a refund with NO LUCK! Appears the boss has pulled the pin on the operations, Cheif Engineer has walked with a pile of money owed to him personally and many ancillary operators looking for some funds too including for maintenance and hangarage. Saddest part is the 350+ punters that look like they've lost on average $1500+ each.....and this slimy council keeps telling people that all is ok and they will be back in the air come Christmas.....thank goodness nobody can make contact and possibly loose even more hard-earned dosh to this mob!
No association with the company, just intrigued.
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Foyl,
Thanks, you are quite correct BUT that does not distract from the fact that my earlier post was correct. The website was down and they were not taking/answering calls....perhaps they have had a reprieve? If they are back up and running; good luck to them!
Thanks, you are quite correct BUT that does not distract from the fact that my earlier post was correct. The website was down and they were not taking/answering calls....perhaps they have had a reprieve? If they are back up and running; good luck to them!
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Heaven it aint!
It appears that the airport and the misuse of council-owned property is firmly back on the agenda with outsiders sniffing around for information concerning some past dealings with the airport restaurant. One senior council staffer has been put on notice not to speak with anyone outside of council concerning these matters under fear of dismissal. Reported that the meeting with Barney on the matter was not very cordial and she is not a happy lass!
On the matter of ADMINISTRATION: the general feeling around here is now not a matter of IF but WHEN. The amount of effort being put into hiding information from everyone indicates that maybe they know more than they are telling with the top of council going to great efforts to make sure there are no smoking guns left lying about to be found.
Working here at the moment is a major joke with senior staff being directed to obtain information on certain members of the public by any means possible; and be warned; anything they can find will be used against the public in the most vile manner possible. These people mean business and they intend to use any and every trick in the book to silence any opposition.
And as if that is not enough, 2 of their favoured councillors are also on the outer having also spoken up against councils behaviour. It is probably adviseable that Mr B and Mr L start looking for some others passtime activities as they are earmarked to be dropped as members of the annointed few....and that is straight from Larry!
Anyone want a job? There could be some hot prospects available down this way real soon.
On the matter of ADMINISTRATION: the general feeling around here is now not a matter of IF but WHEN. The amount of effort being put into hiding information from everyone indicates that maybe they know more than they are telling with the top of council going to great efforts to make sure there are no smoking guns left lying about to be found.
Working here at the moment is a major joke with senior staff being directed to obtain information on certain members of the public by any means possible; and be warned; anything they can find will be used against the public in the most vile manner possible. These people mean business and they intend to use any and every trick in the book to silence any opposition.
And as if that is not enough, 2 of their favoured councillors are also on the outer having also spoken up against councils behaviour. It is probably adviseable that Mr B and Mr L start looking for some others passtime activities as they are earmarked to be dropped as members of the annointed few....and that is straight from Larry!
Anyone want a job? There could be some hot prospects available down this way real soon.
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Nice Xmas Present for Larry, Barney and Curley
Shellharbour Council is presently under an External Review of all their dealings over the past 24 months. Of particular interest is the goings-on at the Illawarra Regional Airport and some of the questionable decisions with TopGun, HARS and the upgrade! Team is also reviewing complaints from other locals......could this be the beginning of the end for our shonky council or is this toooooo much to expect?
Don't bother asking any of the councillors about the present investigations....they have not been informed by the monkeys driving this council!
Team is also reviewing complaints from other locals......could this be the beginning of the end for our shonky council or is this toooooo much to expect? Don't bother asking any of the councillors about the present investigations....they have not been informed by the monkeys driving this council!
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Council definately under external review by DLG Officers
Shellharbour City Council has had there first week under external review by the Department of Local Government. (They now have stopped for the Xmas period). The review is due to recommence very soon and is expected to continue for upwards of another 3 weeks.
The GM has informed councillors that the review is purely routine but this is very clearly not the case as the review has been directed by the Director General to establish if there is any cause for concern with council's adherence to procedures, code of conduct etc. Several councillors have been interviewed however it is extremely unlikely that the team will interview members of the public at this stage.
It is understood now that the review may lead to a recommendation for amalgamation of Shellharbour City Council with Wollongong City Council. It is alleged that a plan is in place to oust the present Mayor and appoint another less contraversial one with a firm adgenda to review more than a few employment contracts....could be that Johnny's new IR Laws might get an airing sooner rather than later. Yahooooo!
The GM has informed councillors that the review is purely routine but this is very clearly not the case as the review has been directed by the Director General to establish if there is any cause for concern with council's adherence to procedures, code of conduct etc. Several councillors have been interviewed however it is extremely unlikely that the team will interview members of the public at this stage.
It is understood now that the review may lead to a recommendation for amalgamation of Shellharbour City Council with Wollongong City Council. It is alleged that a plan is in place to oust the present Mayor and appoint another less contraversial one with a firm adgenda to review more than a few employment contracts....could be that Johnny's new IR Laws might get an airing sooner rather than later.
Yahooooo!
Re: Illawarra Airport thread
I believe the Illawarra Mercury of 10th January this year had an interesting article by William Verity about some recent leases assigned or renewed, also news of a $500,000 development for (I think) the air cadets. First sod has already been turned on that one, methinks.
Only saw the article somewhat briefly and wasn't able to memorise all the facts and figures quoted but it made interesting reading.
Only saw the article somewhat briefly and wasn't able to memorise all the facts and figures quoted but it made interesting reading.
