Showing posts sorted by date for query Clarence Valley Council Election 2012 Scorecard. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Clarence Valley Council Election 2012 Scorecard. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Monday 29 July 2013

All twitter and bistered on one Lower Clarence Facebook page


They are getting all twitter and bistered over at Lower Clarence Ratepayers, Residents, Business Owners – much to the amusement of North Coast Voices administration and contributors.


I don’t think Ms. Beeby has forgotten her final running score on this blog’s Clarence Valley Council Election 2012 Scorecard:

Jane Beeby Independent -4 + -4 + -2= -10 Jane is of the opinion that it is not her job to tell voters what she can do for [insert name of town] and happily told Yamba residents exactly that last Monday night  (-4). Her continual behind the scenes complaints about legitimate community debate in local newspapers earns her further demerits points (-2).

Friday 7 September 2012

Clarence Valley Council Election 2012 Candidate Scorecard: Week Five


Candidates standing for the nine councillor positions at the 8 September 2012 Clarence Valley Local Government Election are being rated on their individual campaigns to win over voters.

The score range is -10 to 10. Every candidate starts at zero (0)

Scoring began in the week ending 10 August 2012.

In this final week of the election campaign it’s all about how competent the candidates appear.
The week commenced with the Yamba District Chamber of Commerce meet the candidates forum, the last one before polling day.

Name          Designation     Running Score

Rod Morrison Independent 1 This candidate’s score remains static as he returns this week to the only matter he really understands – flooding at Brushgrove. While his good intentions are not doubted, his abilities are.

Margot Scott Independent 2.5 Margot’s score also remains the same as again she added little to the election debate this week which would convince that she has the knowledge and experience to be an effective shire councillor.

Paul Parkinson -10 If there was a way to mark this candidate down further than the maximum minus he now sits on one would be tempted to take it. His performance at the Yamba Meet the Candidates forum was a low point in the election campaign – more here. And yes, he is still claiming three terms as a Kempsey Shire councillor equals 14 years and not the 12 attributed to him by that very same council.

Craig Howe Independent 1 + 1 = 2 Craig’s score goes up a point on the basis of his commitment to local youth and the fact that he at least has experience in local government.

Andrew Baker Independent -10 This candidate cannot possibly score any lower as he continues to run what is essentially a pro-unfettered development agenda. His attempts to downplay his own poor business management skills as he promises to reform Clarence Valley Council management (in a way which obviously benefits his business interests) inspires little confidence. As does the fact that last Monday night he was telling voters that Council did not consider economic implications when making decisions, but by Thursday was saying that councillors were provided with  "economic assessments" before making decisions.

Ursula Tunks Independent 3.5 + 0.2 = 3.7 This candidate again inches forward on the back of the fact  that she at least understood the role of the general manager (0.2), but remains a worrisome wild card.

Joy de Roos 2 Joy marks time at the end of this final week as she added nothing to what she had said before.

Jim Simmons Independent 2 1 + 1 =4 Jim doubled his score because he admitted to the reality of Council budget constraints (1) and confessed that it had dropped the ball when it tore down the Yamba skate park and rebuilt it to a new design without any community consultation (1).

Greg Clancy Independent 8.5 + 1 = 9.5 This candidate increased his score again this week for pointing out the real benefits of not expanding the Port of Yamba. It was noticeable that the marine business owner at the Yamba forum openly agreed with him.

Jane Beeby Independent -4 + -4 + -2= -10 Jane is of the opinion that it is not her job to tell voters what she can do for [insert name of town] and happily told Yamba residents exactly that last Monday night  (-4). Her continual behind the scenes complaints about legitimate community debate in local newspapers earns her further demerits points (-2).

Sue Hughes Independent 7.5 + 1 = 8.5 Her score increases as she was brave enough to insist that money raised by the sale of council’s community assets should be spent in the area which had lost the use and enjoyment of a particular asset (1).

Karen Toms 8.5 + -1 = 7.5  Karen lost a point due to her open support for the idea that a reduction in the wages and working conditions of small business employees would benefit the community (-1). Although local government has no direct influence on such matters, councillors' opinions often affect the tone in small business employer-employee relations and such remarks are not helpful. 

Michael McIvor Independent 1 This candidate gains no new points as he fails to impress on any front. One cannot help wondering if his support of any ‘buy local’ policy is predicated on a vague hope that his own business would benefit in some way.

Jeremy Challacombe Independent -5 + -1 + -3 = -9 Jeremy manages a minus bonanza this week by failing to realise that the Island Trader no longer operates out of the Lower Clarence River (-1) and for his rather strange belief that Yaegl representatives might need to sit cross legged in the sand before they could discuss Dirrungun at the mouth of the Clarence River (-3).

Richie Williamson 3.5 + 0.5 = 4 Richie’s score crept up a notch due to the fact that he appeared to recognise that different areas within the Valley have different strengths and needs. The fact that as the most recent mayor his score is remains so low is due to his spotty past voting record.

Margaret McKenna Independent -10 Margaret did nothing to redeem herself this week as her passive-aggressive attitude to the Lower Clarence remained a feature of her utterances on the campaign trail. However, she did provide a moment of wry amusement as she strongly pressed her locally born and bred background to a room full of voters who had predominantly retired into the area from elsewhere in New South Wales.

Jason Kingsley Independent 1 This candidate remains something of an enigma and failed to make any real impression over the course of the election campaign.

Conclusion:

This local government election campaign has been one which has seen the business community set the debate agenda and therefore its needs have been a dominant preoccupation of the political discourse.

It was also a campaign which highlighted how ill-prepared many of the new candidates are for the office they seek, how bereft of original ideas the majority are, how little some of them know about the Clarence Valley and how proudly they wear this ignorance.

Disappointingly the uncritical approach by local media continues when reporting on local government elections. So even though this year the campaign coverage has been the most extensive in recent memory, it did little more than supply all candidates with a form of free advertising.

Friday 31 August 2012

Clarence Valley Council Election 2012 Candidate Scorecard: Week Four


Candidates standing for the nine councillor positions at the 8 September 2012 Clarence Valley Local Government Election are being rated on their individual campaigns to win over voters.

The score range is -10 to 10. Every candidate starts at zero (0)

Scoring began in the week ending 10 August 2012.

This week its all about honesty and ideas - somewhat truncated by the fact that this post in going online in the middle of a thunderstorm.

Name              Designation   Running Score

Rod Morrison Independent 2 + -1 = 1 This candidate loses ground this week, because he quite frankly puzzles. Action man photographs don’t replace good policy and the idea of more billboards visually littering  roadsides is daft - as is a transport hub on flood-prone land outside Maclean (-1).

Margot Scott Independent 2.5 Margot’s score remains the same as she adds little to the election debate this week.

Paul Parkinson -10 this candidate remains static. After apparently spending years away from Australia between 2004-2011 (according to a brief bio in the Macleay Community FM Radio May 2011 monthly newsletter), he settles in the Clarence Valley in time to enter his name on the rolls and as a candidate immediately starts telling everyone how to suck eggs. While the 360 degree turn Paul did on coal seam gas mining in order to discover it was a bad, bad thing did not appear sincere.

Craig Howe Independent 1.6 + - 0.6 = 1 Craig’s score goes into reverse, as the bottom line of his economic development plan for the Valley appears to be the release of more rateable land (-0.6). This has never been a successful solution in the past to low population growth, population decline or stagnant central business districts.

Andrew Baker Independent -10 This candidate cannot possibly score any lower and continues to outdo himself when it comes to denying the fact that not one but four of the companies in which he is a shareholder/director were listed this month by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission as under external administration.
Here is just one company snapshot of Lanai Pty Ltd from www.asic.gov.au
 Click on image to enlarge

Ursula Tunks Independent 3 + 0.5 = 3.5 This candidate inches forward on general performance but remains a bit of a wild card.

Joy de Roos 2 Unfortunately Joy stands still this week for her extraordinary belief that development applicants are not kept informed of the progress of their DAs.

Jim Simmons Independent 2 Doesn’t move an inch, because I’m still trying to think of something positive to say about Jim who as a councillor went to sleep after amalgamation and is yet to wake up.

Greg Clancy Independent 6.5 + 2 + 1= 8.5 This candidate increased his score again this week for producing one of the better campaign flyers and letterboxing it in the Lower Clarence (2). He also scores for continuing to lobby regarding residents’ concerns outside of his election campaign (1).

Jane Beeby Independent -4 Jane marks time as she has had nothing to say that hasn’t been said by candidates in past elections.

Sue Hughes Independent 5.5 + 1 + 1 = 7.5 Her score grows by two because Sue has a proven track record of standing up for community - her vote against McDonald’s DA and successful coal seam gas moratorium motion spring to mind (1) -  and because she keeps plugging away on local issues concerning residents (1).

Karen Toms 6.5 + 1 + 1 = 8.5 Increased her positive running score by producing one of the better campaign flyers this week (1) and because she keeps plugging away on local issues concerning residents (1).

Michael McIvor Independent 2 + -1 = 1 This candidate loses a point for commenting in one local paper as flashmanmicky and, unfortunately that sums him up accurately in the role of election candidate.

Jeremy Challacombe Independent -3 + -2 = -5 Another candidate who appears to believe local government should take a laissez-faire attitude to business (-1) and toss any legislative or by-law restrictions out the door if owners feel irked.

Richie Williamson 2.5 + 1 = 3.5 Richie’s score inches up on the basis that the incompetence and ignorance displayed by three other male candidates makes him appear an increasingly attractive option by comparison (1).

Margaret McKenna Independent -3 + -7 = -10 It took some doing but Margaret managed to hit rock bottom this week by attempting to save money and combine an CVTV magazine cover business advertisement with a plea to “Vote 1” for her on polling day (-7) – thereby probably breaking a number of NSWEC rules as the ad contained no authorization or contact address.

Jason Kingsley Independent 2 + -1 = 1 This candidate falls behind as he did not impress by joining the pack demanding local government reduce business rates, fees and charges yet be ready to perform miracles with reduced income (-1).

Friday 24 August 2012

Clarence Valley Council Election 2012 Candidate Scorecard: Week Three


Candidates standing for the nine councillor positions at the 8 September 2012 Clarence Valley Local Government Election are being rated on their individual campaigns to win over voters.

The score range is -10 to 10. Every candidate starts at zero (0)

Scoring began in the week ending 10 August 2012.

This week its all about fronting the forums and what candidates told the local media which affect the score.

Name        Designation         Running Score

Rod Morrison Independent 0.5 + 1 + 0.5  = 2 this candidate increased his score by attending the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1) with a little extra on the side for his commitment to his village.

Margot Scott Independent 1 + 1 + -0.5 = 1.5 Margot scores for attending the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1). However she also whittles away at her score with a hint that underneath the campaign rhetoric this inexperienced newcomer thinks local government is really just about roads, rats and rubbish.

Paul Parkinson  -5 + 1 + -3 + -3 = -10 this candidate scored for attending Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1)  but left many open-mouthed when he stated that he couldn’t make any election promises as there was no way of knowing what Clarence Valley Council’s budget was like – completely ignoring the fact that he can inspect budget papers going back years online or at council chambers (-3). More points went when he displayed a defeatism which appears to indicate a reluctance to fully support Clarence Valley communities' stand against coal seam gas mining (-3)

Craig Howe Independent 0.6 + 1 = 1.6 Craig’s score increased because he attended Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1), however it is hard to forget the many times he voted for developers over the objections of local communities.

Andrew Baker Independent 0 + -10 = -10 this candidate excelled himself during the week by failing to give any undertaking that he would support Clarence Valley communities (-4) and for expecting voters to accept that a man - who as a director and major shareholder allowed two companies to rack up what sounds like millions of dollars in debt until the bank called in the receiver – should be allowed anywhere near the local government annual budget (-4). While he wasted the time of every voter at the Maclean meet the candidates forum as he trailed an imaginary broken wing (-2).

Ursula Tunks Independent 2 + 1 = 3 Ursula moved up the scoreboard for attending Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1). She doesn’t increase her score beyond that because this week she denied she was an Independent and instead described herself as “party-less” - which begs the question as to which political party she may next decide to join.

Joy de Roos  -1 + 1 = 2 added to her score by attending Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1).

Jim Simmons Independent 0 + 1 + 1 = 2 gained for attending Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1) and with a long history as a councillor putting some of the new to local government candidates to shame by comparison.

Greg Clancy Independent 3.5 + 1 + 2 = 6.5 this candidate increased his score again this week. Firstly for his attendance at the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1) and secondly because he is the only new candidate who truly understands the relationship between a healthy environment, sustainable infrastructure and a viable economy (2).

Jane Beeby Independent -3 + 1 + -2 = -4  this candidate both won and lost points this week. She attended the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1), however the alleged vague conspiracy against herself she expounds rather than honestly explaining her anti- vaccination stance continues to worry some voters (-2) . Which is somewhat of a pity as she has taken an anti-coal seam gas stance.

Sue Hughes Independent 2.5 + 1 + 2 = 5.5 her score grows as she attended the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1) and, in doing so, reminded residents that she has come through for the Valley with regard to moving a successful resolution against coal seam gas exploration before impacts from this type of mining are known and other votes in the Chamber.

Karen Toms 2.5 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 6.5 increased her running score by attending the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1) and, in doing so, reminded voters that she has always been good value for local communities (2). She earns an additional point for calmly campaigning no matter what stumbling blocks are placed in her path by ill wishers hinted at in The Daily Examiner online comments (1).
Michael McIvor Independent 1 + 1 = 2 this candidate remains a bit of a dark horse who attempts to explain himself in slogans and clichés. So although he adds to his score for attending the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1) that is the only positive, which sadly is offset by his fairly high opinion of his own untested capabilities.

Jeremy Challacombe Independent -1 + 1 + -3 = -3 he scores for attending the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1) but loses points for those stale ideas and for continuing to pretend that being a senior member and office bearer of the NSW Nationals will not politicize his position on Council if elected (-3).  It didn't assist his candidature to find local media reporting that he had been caught breaking CVC rules for farmers'  markets by having campaign literature displayed on his own produce stall. What else can be said about a candidate who thinks in two-word slogans?

Richie Williamson 2 + 1 0.5  = 2.5 Richie scores for attending the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1). He only loses half a  point this week for pretending he doesn’t have political ambitions which potentially affect his attitude as Mayor and councillor – simply because most of the election field is so abysmal that this classic fence sitter’s time in local government  is beginning to look rosy by comparison.

Margaret McKenna Independent -2 + 1 + -2 = -3 scored for attending the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1). However, Margaret lost what had been gained by pretending that she actually gave a hoot about the badly planned West Yamba re-zoning. When she has been quite happy to go along with private developers virtually creating the draft Development Control Plan for that same urban expansion, after previously voting in 2009 for that joke of a Yamba Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan which had to be endorsed so that the West Yamba Local Environmental Plan could be passed as approved on the same day (-2).

Jason Kingsley Independent 1 + 1 = 2 this candidate talks easily but in the end says very little. He slowly increases his score on the basis of attendance at the Maclean and Grafton meet the candidates forums (1).

Friday 17 August 2012

Clarence Valley Local Council Election 2012 Candidate ScoreCard: Week Two


Candidates standing for the nine councillor positions at the 8 September 2012 Clarence Valley Local Government Election are being rated on their individual campaigns to win over voters.

The score range is -10 to 10. Every candidate starts at zero (0)

Scoring began in the week ending 10 August 2012.

This week its the sound of silence, things half said, words that should not have been uttered at all, and who went where, which affect the score.

Name                       Designation            Running Score

Rod Morrison        Independent            1 + -0.5 = 0.5 started to register on the scorecard for attending the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum this week, at which it was resolved to form a committee to grow the Clarence Valley's economy and lobby for increased public service jobs in the local government area (1). However Rod lost points because his almost 11 day-old candidate's page on Facebook remains a policy-free zone filled with nothing but photographs of himself. It's almost as if he has been taking campaigning advice from Gulaptis,Lees or Cansdell.

Margot Scott          Independent           1 leaves the barrier at a fair pace as it is understood that she attended council committee meetings during the week.

Paul Parkinson                                  -3 +-2 +1-1 = -5 he has reached this score for his past pro-uranium mining stand as a Kempsey councillor and his lack of support for traditional owners (-2) combined with attendance at the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum (1) marred by the fact that he was the only member of the 100-strong audience whose personal ambition saw him attempt to use the occasion as part of his electioneering (-1).

Craig Howe            Independent          -1 1 + -0.4 + 1= 0.6 although positively adding to last week's score by attending the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum (1), his tally remains low due to a social media mis-step which initially saw him head his Facebook candidate page with a photo of Parliament House in Canberra, before changing it to something more appropriate after being chipped about possible political ambitions elsewhere (-0.4).  He was somewhat redeemed by the fact that he is using his Facebook page to inform voters of his record as a Clarence Valley Shire councillor (1).

Andrew Baker       Independent            1 + -1 = 0 commenced scoring because he attended the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum (1), but lost points for his somewhat confused attempt at this forum to portray the Clarence Valley as having deliberately rejected private enterprise (-1)

Ursula Tunks        Independent             1 + 1 =2 for setting her policies out clearly and getting them into the public arena early (1) and attending the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum (1).

Joy de Roos                                       -1 score remains static as she has not been heard from all week.

Jim Simmons         Independent            0 remains static due to his silence.

Greg Clancy           Independent            1 +1 +1 + 0.5 = 3.5 this candidate increased his score because he didn't obsess about campaign slogans and instead placed his clearly outlined policies in the public arena for the benefit  of voters (1), attended the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum (1) and put one of the better questions to this forum when he asked the guest speaker, economist Prof. Bill Mitchell, how the Clarence Valley economy might be successfully grown (with residents encouraged to spend locally to support retail businesses/jobs) without depleting the LGA's finite resources or damaging its natural environment (0.5).

Jane Beeby            Independent           -3  no change in her score as she has been silent this week.

Sue Hughes           Independent            1 + 1 + 0.5 = 2.5 for attending the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum (1) and quickly speaking up for the health needs of the Lower Clarence when fellow-candidate Paul Parkinson was intent on displaying his lack of knowledge concerning Valley communities (0.5). Sue would have scored higher if she had placed more background as a councillor/policy information in the public arena, for first time voters or those newly resident in the LGA.

Karen Toms                                        1 +1 + 0.5 = 2.5 increased her running score by
attending the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum (1) and for her inclusive manner when interacting with other people at this forum. Karen would have scored higher if she had placed more background as a councillor/policy information in the public arena, for first time voters or those newly resident in the LGA. 

Michael McIvor       Independent            1 begins to register a score for attending the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum.

Jeremy Challacombe Independent        -1.5 + 1 + -0.5 = -1 increased his score by being one of the listed speakers at the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum (1) but foolishly reduced his running total by failing to acknowledge those business strategies already in place to promote and grow the Clarence Valley economy as he sought to 're-invent the wheel' (-0.5).

Richie Williamson                               1 + 1 = 2 increased his score by attending  the Clarence Valley Community Unions forum (1). Richie trembles on the cusp of a lower score as he needs to offer voters more than just the slogan "100% Clarence" and a recap of the mayoral diary on Facebook before next week.  

Margaret McKenna  Independent          -2  score remains static.     

Jason Kingsley        Independent           1 score remains static due to his silence.

Friday 10 August 2012

Clarence Valley LGA Election 2012 Candidate Scorecard: Week One



Candidates standing for the nine councillor positions at the 8 September 2012 Clarence Valley Local Government Election are being rated on their individual campaigns to win over voters.

The score range is -10 to 10. Every candidate starts at zero (0)

Candidate nominations closed last Wednesday and ballot paper positions were assigned, so one could say that all candidates are now on the blocks.

This week degrees of separation (or lack thereof) come to the fore on nomination forms.

Name                       Designation            Running Score



Paul Parkinson                                  -3 for being unable to decide exactly where he lives, for not supplying local media with a photograph so voters can ‘see’  who it is that is asking for their votes, referring to himself online as an indigenous white fella” when he admits he has no claim to culture or country  
                                                                                 
Craig Howe            Independent          -1 with a LOL for informing the world on his nomination form that he won’t be born until 12 days after election day – thereby creating what would have to be the world’s first in utero candidate

Andrew Baker       Independent            0

Ursula Tunks        Independent             0

Joy de Roos                                       -1 for not mentioning on her nomination form that she belonged to a political party (ALP)


Greg Clancy           Independent           1 for being a only candidate with professional training/background which will be directly relevantif elected to council

Jane Beeby            Independent          -3 for taking down her election campaign Facebook page before the week ended and for trying to spin the reason for doing so


Karen Toms                                        1 for being a candidate who stated on her nomination form that she belonged to a  political a party (NATS)

Michael McIvor       Independent           0  
                                                                           
Jeremy Challacombe Independent       0.5 + -2  = -1.5 for mentioning on his nomination form that he was a member of a political party but ignoring the fact being an office holder in that party is also relevant (NATS) and then deciding it was a good idea to have his nomination form witnessed by a staffer working for Andrew Baker’s former business partner Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis 
                                                                                
Richie Williamson                               1 for mentioning on his nomination form that he belonged to a political party (NATS)

Margaret McKenna  Independent          -2  deciding it was a good idea to have her nomination form witnessed by a yet another staffer working for Andrew Baker’s former business partner Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis       

Jason Kingsley        Independent           1 for being a candidate who stated on his nomination that he belonged to a  political party (ALP)