Alan Dray
I Understand You… Let Me Represent You.
My Introduction To Local Government Politics.
My introduction to Local Government Politics came some 5 years ago when I attempted to have a very small section of road leading to the family property fenced on one side only.
Because of the lay of the land and the lack of fencing on this section of road the continuous presence of grazing cattle became a constant irritant as we travelled the road at least twice daily, often at night.
I actually offered to supply free of charge, the posts and my labour to help build these 250 metres of fence even though the section of road was not on our property and there appeared to be no logical reason that the road should not be fenced. It was a very small job for a very large gain.
As I started to work the issue through with council I felt that the following occurred.
- Many councillors did not even bother to read my letters.
- Some councillors failed to impartially research the subject
- There were mysterious procedural delays which worked against me.
- It appeared to me that some councillors were simply not interested.
- I felt that other parties involved were receiving favouritism.
- Sometimes a councillor fell asleep whilst the meetings were in session.
- I discovered that some department heads did not have as their primary concern the well being of the constituents.
- It appeared to me that some department heads were being bullied.
- I perceived breaches of protocol at council meetings.
- I found that in my case the Ombudsman was a lame duck.
- It seemed that the State Member when representing me was not afforded due respect and virtually ignored.
- I found that a number of other constituents were treated as badly as me and that my story of malaise and wrongdoing paled into insignificance besides theirs.
What should have been a straight forward procedural matter began as a saga on 17th October 2001.
After some 40 letters, flowcharts, C.A.D. drawn maps, photos and govt submissions it ended as a bittersweet victory for me on 17th October 2006. Pretty much five years to the day if we pick the right dates out of the morass of paperwork and wasted time.
For a moment I became a micro-hero among my daunted and cast down fellows who had also run into the brick wall of Cooloola’s local government, and I was encouraged to run for council.
I guess this can tell you a little of my character…when I believe right and justice is on my side I am doggedly determined. I will apply this part of my character to work for you if elected.
This story was reported in the October 21 edition of The Gympie Life and I also had a small moment of glory on local television.
There is however another important part of this story which must be told ……it wasn’t just my dogged determination which gave me eventual success. It was really the election of 2004, the emergence of 2 fresh faces and the cooperation of a re-elected member which eventually kick started me on the path to final victory.
It was their help, honesty and grass roots representation, which goaded me to a fresh start and provided the catalyst for my success, for without these hard working, decent councillors I would not have succeeded.
So, in closing I would like to dedicate my Introduction to Politics as a testimonial to three extremely honest, decent, and truly representative councillors. Ron Owen, Shane Jocumsen, and Wayne Sachs.
I, like many other constituents, owe them a great deal. They know who pay their wages and despite the slander and hypocrisy they have endured over the past four years they have never forgotten their roots or abandoned their morals.
