Hello Councillor Innes, I’ve been advised by someone who knows your Council habits very well, that you do not read much, therefore I’m typing this very slowly and in large font, for your benefit. I conclude that the Public Access Forum, staged before formal Council meetings, is no more than a “steam valve”, aimed at deceiving members of the community into thinking that their opinions matter. Is it not a fact that the agenda for that day’s Forum is pre-arranged and that positions on everything are discussed and pre-determined, with the valuable orchestration of the General Manager, in the chamber, before any member of the public even gets close? Is it not a fact that councillors just have to set their jaws firm and endure 30 minutes or so, of occasional discomfort from speakers, to aid and abet this deception? Is that why the majority of councillors just fiddle with gadgets, look bored or are otherwise disengaged during these sessions? No recording is made, so council can easily deny anything that was said by anyone on their side, whilst speakers are required to provide copies of their presentations. Does that sound fair to you? If all of this is a massive misunderstanding on my part, would you please list the last 20 Council actions, changed policies, decisions or initiatives that have arisen from the Public Access Forum as a result of public submissions? Thankyou Jonathan Mobbs
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NOTE: Comments were TRIALED - in the end it failed as humans will be humans and it turned into a pile of merde; only contributed to by just a handful who did little to add to the conversation of the issue at hand. Anyone who would like to contribute an opinion are encouraged to send in a Letter to the Editor where it might be considered for publication
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