Went to a local council meeting wearing a horse feed sack

[lisa_spyder]

Our local council stinks. They positively suck.

They have just released their draft budget and it is a disaster.

Over 30% rate increase for commercial and industrial properties in one hit - BAM!

No cuts to their staffing levels (increases in fact); no cutting the fat on their pie-in-the-sky grand dreams; no fiscal responsibility except for no increase in borrowings.

I have never seen this community so incensed; business is not healthy here and costs are increasing on many levels. Yet council think business is booming and can afford to plug their black hole in the budget.

Over 170 submissions were received on the draft budget which is an unprecedented number. 12 of us took the opportunity to speak to our submissions at a special meeting. Most of those 12 were reps from business groups, traders groups etc from throughout the Shire. Every submitter clearly sold their message - don't adopt this budget.

The councilors and executive officers just sat there like stunned mullets throughout the meeting.

There are a whole stack of guidelines (rules) for public participation in these meetings...all sorts of 'don'ts'. You can't take placards, signs etc in, you have to be respectful, you have to remain quiet and peaceful...blah blah blah....

So I abided by the rules - I wore my placard as a dress. A large horse feed sack with a message scrawled across my back so the public galley could see it "the shirt off my back". I did turn around so the councilors could see the message also...

I delivered a right proper tirade to council; using their own inept figures and questioned why lots of money had disappeared into a big black hole (millions in fact). I threw their own 'facts' back at them; totally discredited them and watched them squirm.

I am SO BLOODY ANGRY with this lot....if they pass this budget they are not going to know what's hit them.

So now I'll be known as that woman who wore a horse feed sack to council to deliver her message; one that got a standing ovation from the gallery (I am the lucky one who has received the only 2 standing ovations in the history of public participation at council meetings)...that's a good thing.

Before you ask - no pics as we are not allowed cameras at council meetings

[stomachmonkey]

I guess next election cycle you'll be running for council.

You'll deny it now but we all know you can't help yourself.

Go get em.

[red-beard]

How about before or after?

Good on ya!

[lisa_spyder]

Rather than run for council I would much prefer to build the right team of candidates and help orchestrate their success at the polls. I have done it before many years ago in another place . I know what has to be done and how to do it.

But I'm not in denial any more - lots of people are asking me to stand. We'll see - I want to see real commitment for change from the community before I put my head in that noose.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by lisa_spyder

- lots of people are asking me to stand. We'll see - I want to see real commitment for change from the community before I put my head in that noose.

Your posts always make me smile, dressed in a sack or not.

Do yourself a favor, before you stand, and I think you should from 14 flight hours away, ask the boys and the husband...it is their head as well.

You'll do the right thing, Lisa, you can't help it.

[lisa_spyder]

Agreed - if I stand everyone in this family will bear the consequences. Mike is pushing me; has been for months to do this.

But before "WE" make that decision together (kids included); I need to ensure the family understands what an invasion this may be.

We have our moral compass - our kids included. They know how much my moral compass guides me. But I know the risks...and I know the commitment. That is why a whole lot of factors have to add up before I commit.

[mossguy]

of yourself in the horse feed sack or just the sack!

[lisa_spyder]

One of the ratepayers assn ladies did get a pic AFTER the meeting. I've asked her for a copy as I have PLANS for that pic if it came out OK. If I get it I'll post it.

Funny - I asked Mike to drop by the local grain and feed store at very short notice to 'get me a sack'. They looked at him puzzled until he explained - couldn't find a sack fast enough

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by lisa_spyder

Agreed - if I stand everyone in this family will bear the consequences. Mike is pushing me; has been for months to do this.

But before "WE" make that decision together (kids included); I need to ensure the family understands what an invasion this may be.

We have our moral compass - our kids included. They know how much my moral compass guides me. But I know the risks...and I know the commitment. That is why a whole lot of factors have to add up before I commit.

I hope I'm not being an a$$, but years ago my sister was really conflicted about running for Solicitor (District Attorney), an elected position.

We had a long discussion, back and forth. It finally came down to me asking her: If not you, who?

That was almost 30 years ago, then 26 years in which she served; honorably, in my mind.

Do what you do, Lisa, it will be enough.

[lisa_spyder]

Paul,

You're not being anything except logical .

I'm hopeful that the way I go about things will flush some good people out of the woodwork. My level of passion for this is waking some people from their apathetic slumber here. If I can be the catalyst all the better.

I know the limitations of being a councilor. I would be much more effective staying off council and working from the outside; but it may come down to "if not me, then who?". I know one thing for sure - I won't serve on council with the current bunch of idiots (barr 1 who is definitely not an idiot but is outnumbered). That won't achieve anything.

[foxpaws]

If your family is good with this, and your pocketbook can handle it, I would say...

Run Lisa Run.

Council is the very best place to be. I sat on city council and I felt I got more done at that level than anywhere else.

It is really the 'closest' to anyone. Things your council decides on affect your daily life more than any other level of government. It very much is 'personal'.

If you have the opportunity, and family backing, I think you might regret a decision to not pursue a council seat.

[lisa_spyder]

I hear you Fox,

I really want to see a united ticket for all wards next time around. We have a very confusing preferential system for local government elections that means we really need to 'load all bases'. We need many more candidates to stand in all wards than there are vacancies so we can feed our best candidates the preferences of the others. But we have to run the numbers so we don't dilute our votes across the board too much also. It needs work.

We need a unified message. I want the business groups and the ratepayers assns to find the right candidates who will not break ranks in order to a) feather their own nests, b) sit on council just to build a profile for their next step into State or Federal politics. I have seen more than enough of this. We also need people who actually understand the concept of a budget.

[lisa_spyder]

Not the most flattering of photos - too bad. I was there to do 'a job'; not look pretty ! I'd had a huge and messy day and got to the meeting with moments to spare for registration...enough excuses; this is me doing my thing

[carson911s]

Go Lisa !!

[Normy]

You should have worn a plastic garbage bag.

-EVERYWHERE, including in Fort Lauderdale, there is a need to cut back government. What is the answer? I don't know. They are blaming the recession on SCHOOL TEACHERS in places like Wisconsin. Ridiculous.

With all the manufacturing going to China, we now find ourselves short of cash. The reason is that...all the manufacturing is gone to China. We aren't working, and can no longer pay our bills.

Solution: Tariffs on Chinese goods, or a requirement that they be made HERE. Conservatives don't want that because their CORPORATIST members know that while the middle class will benefit from that, the upper class will NOT and that is against all of their instincts!

N!

[scottmandue]

You go girl!

Love the pic... love your attitude even more!

[944Larry]

[QUOTE=lisa_spyder;6110141]Not the most flattering of photos - too bad. I was there to do 'a job'; not look pretty ! I'd had a huge and messy day and got to the meeting with moments to spare for registration...enough excuses; this is me doing my thing

Lisa-you got a sister? I'd love to marry into a family cool enough to pull this off!!! Keep gittin' them!!!

[944Larry]

[QUOTE=Normy;6110259]You should have worn a plastic garbage bag.

-EVERYWHERE, including in Fort Lauderdale, there is a need to cut back government. What is the answer? I don't know. They are blaming the recession on SCHOOL TEACHERS in places like Wisconsin. Ridiculous.

Norm-you hit a sore spot with me here. They always try to make out like all our problems are caused by the american worker. I think the main reason industry is leaving here is all the insane rules and regulations they have to put up with. The goofy tax laws don't help much either. You're still in aviation as I once was and you know how regulated it is. I understand there has to be some regulations on everything but I think they've gone a bit over the top now.

[RWebb]

did they explain why there were no cuts to salaries, programs, etc.???

nice sack, BTW

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by lisa_spyder

Not the most flattering of photos - too bad. I was there to do 'a job'; not look pretty ! I'd had a huge and messy day and got to the meeting with moments to spare for registration...enough excuses; this is me doing my thing

Lisa

You're the coolest gal ever. Well done. I hope the council changes their thinking.

I've always thought local council has too much "licence" to do whatever they want.
Even more so than state or federal political parties.