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I WRITE in response to the front page article in yesterday's Bendigo Advertiser, which states, “Bendigo Mayor Barry Lyons has labelled three councillors as childish and unprofessional after they walked out of chambers mid-meeting this week”, and the follow-up editorial with my photograph which stated, “But when the votes don’t fall your way - walking out is a poor look indeed”.
Accurate reporting is a hallmark of our democratic society.
What actually occurred was that when all of the agenda items had been dealt with and voted upon, the only item to be completed was the councillors’, the mayor’s and CEO reports.
There is no vote required and it is optional for a councillor to give a report.
This clearly contradicts your words that three councillors walked out of chambers mid-meeting.
In reference to the words "walking out is a poor look indeed", I was particularly concerned that a motion that was passed by the council in 2012, “That the Rosalind Park Master Plan be completed as soon as possible and in time so that it can influence the conditions for the parking and connectivity (for the new theatre.)” was not addressed by council officers.
In fact without any further reporting to the council, works commenced in Rosalind Park last week with a budget impact of $1.5 million.
Further, the debate on the former White Hills Landfill site has been going on for many years with no resolution in sight, which could lead to a $4 million cost to Bendigo ratepayers.
The council had also approved a six per cent rate rise, which I opposed.
So at the end of a very long meeting which passed motions that will impact many Greater Bendigo citizens, I decided to leave.
There was no further business to vote on.
There was no walk out.
Frustration and disappointment certainly played a part, but we are all human.
I will leave it to your readers to decide on the reported comments by the mayor that my behaviour was “bloody childish and unprofessional.”
A strategy to discredit the person rather than the issues is divisive in itself.
In reference to your heading to the article, “DIVIDED”, I moved the very next motion after the budget that was a planning amendment for Bendigo’s new High Street Boulevard and it was endorsed by all councillors.
Throughout the meeting motions were passed, with different councillors supporting and opposing them.
This is democracy.
Diversity of view is paramount and the right to express a view and have access to the information to formulate a conclusion must be upheld for elected representatives to be productive in their roles.
It is a very poor council that just agrees with everything that is put before them.
As your editorial states my image and reputation has been affected.
I will assume that you will correct this position.
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