Local Government Elections

Well what a lead up to this event. The dirty politics and smear campaigns didn't surprise me at all. Something I have become educated in since being in Local Government. Not that I condone it, in fact I had my share of it being on the receiving end earlier this year. What surprises me about all of it is how short memories are. I could go onto a whole lot more discussion on this matter but I don't feel like wasting my time.

For the most part of election day my family, friends and running candidates had a great day both pre-polling and enjoying the company of most other people who were handing out flyer's. The weather was lovely and there was a hive of activity. I was offended though with the two situations that occurred with my children and husband and after having them recorded have now moved on.

Of course election evening was a waiting game with the results looking good. We had my running candidate's at our house for a relaxing BBQ but we just couldn't help ourselves from sneaking into the computer when the chance arose.

For the remainder of the election results it was a slow long old wait. We were sure that I had been elected but were hoping that we could have drawn in some more of our candidates. We had hoped that the preferential system would have been a bonus and we were pleased that we had been open and honest with the community in showing what arrangements had been made.

As part of the smear campaign I acknowledged that there were people who had been quite vocal and making a distinction between true independent and independent and using MP Peter Andren's name when distinguishing the difference. I found that in poor taste especially given that our long serving Councillor Margaret Stevenson OAM had always given referential's and ran successfully for 34 years as an independent. I can only say again how short memories are!

Unfortunately the results came in without Gerald Powers name attached. I was disappointed to see that we could not get him over the line even though he had a significant amount of votes. I understand that he missed out by about 100 further votes. He would have been the first Aboriginal Councillor for Orange and he would have come with a great connection to children, youth and families, to this end I feel it has been a loss to our community.

Our team worked hard in promoting themselves below the line and this was evidenced by the results that appeared on line. I feel proud that Team H made a concerted effort to promote themselves. The Team H T-shirts certainly stood out at the polling booth and was a comment we all heard regularly. It was a pleasure working with such an enthusiastic team who had a heart felt want to become a Councillor.

I thank all of the people who gave our team and myself a vote and especially the number one votes. They all count in the scheme of things and I am thank full that we still have female representation in Orange. Although very limited and quite surprisingly given that there were quite a few women who were on the election ticket. I met a gentleman outside pre-polling who made a point of telling me that he had voted for all the women on the pre-polling ticket, to him I say well done! clearly one of our "new age men" who has a great outlook on life.

Well on with Council I guess it is. With a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor we will see what the future has in store. I was disappointed to miss out on the Deputy Mayoral position myself and was in absolute awe at the fact that a Councillor who was elected to vote on important Council decisions abstained from voting in this instance. I was thinking it may have been a draw and would have been comfortable with a draw out of a hat again but it was not to be the case.

From this time on I will be making a point of recording my opinion and account of future Council meetings on a bi-monthly basis. Remembering that we live in a Democracy and that I have freedom of speech and I will not be swayed by past events when having a say.

To be continued..........

Cr Fiona Rossiter

Orange City Council NSW