From
the Editor
Halloween is done and dusted for 2016. As one of the people who spent many hours volunteering my time, I am very happy we are past the finish line. I would like to congratulate the team behind the event; Kellie Barrow and her staff in the Tourism Office, the council staff that assisted with the heavy lifting, the local creatives Rhonda Collins and Ludwina Roebuck for their amazing creations, the local business owners hat got behind the event and also, the sponsors. McDonalds Lithgow, Energy Australia, Centennial Coal and Lithgow Workies. We were very happy to be able to sponsor the event as well, and seeing happy smiles on kids faces makes it all worthwhile. Now that is done, we are on the slippery slope to Christmas. Christmas hits the stores earlier and earlier these days, with every one trying to grab the shopper’s attention. I guess it is fair enough, with the online sales eating in to the sales of local retailers - they really must do something extra in order to ensure they too have a good run into the silly season. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a fan of shopping local, I would encourage you to try and do as much of your shopping for Christmas as you can in our local stores. With a shifting economy all around us, our retailers and local businesses need all the support we can muster. A photo my friend David Rawsthorne grabbed of me on the day... not my best side, but I was pretty knackered by this point.
Notice to all advertisers and contributors
The Village Voice accepts no responsibility for any advertisement, submitted article or feedback published. Any advertisement, submitted article or feedback is published at the risk of the contributor, who accepts liability for any intended publication. By contributing to this publication, you agree to indemnify the publisher and warrant that the material is to the best of your knowledge accurate and is neither deceptive or misleading, in breach of copyright, or in breach of any other laws and regulations.
Letters to the Editor The Editor, Village Voice I must say this week has been a difficult one to fathom with the Council’s decision to terminate the contract of the General Manager. As a former Councillor for nine years, a decision like this should not be made without a proper investigation. I have been silent over the past two terms of Council but as a ratepayer this decision has really troubled me. It was only the second Council meeting for some of these newly elected Councillors. After just two meetings, did they feel that they were qualified to make such a decision without a proper investigation? Is there evidence that they had any legal advice prior to the decision to sack the General Manager? Did they consider the ramifications of their decision and the cost to the ratepayers who have had year after year of rate increases? Did they all have time to examine the General Manager’s Contract with legal or HR advice? Who instigated this and rallied support for the General Manager’s Dismissal? The everyday running of any large organisation is no easy task and performance management is a key part of it. Some Councillors work for very large organisations themselves or have done in the past. I wonder if a survey was sent around to all employees in these organisations asking if they were happy with their boss, what answers would come back. The role of a General Manager is very difficult. Dealing with multiple personalities on Council is one thing but being the boss of a very large and diverse workforce and public voice of the Council is another. The General Manager should have a yearly performance review and at this time if there were any problems then they should be discussed. Has the Council been conducting Annual Reviews of the General Managers Performance? Did the Council give the General Manager the opportunity to speak on the matter prior to his dismissal? It was only last year that everyone was congratulating Roger Bailey for his contribution for Lithgow Council winning the A.R. Bluett Memorial Award. The Questions above need to be answered from the current Councillors. I believe the cost to the ratepayers could be in excess of $400,000 by the time the contract is paid out plus replacement staff and additional recruiting costs. Where is this money going to come from? Did you budget for this Councillors? I hope Councillors that you have not put a nail in our coffin for Amalgamation with Bathurst as it will be on your heads. I thank Councillors Leslie, McAndrew and Thompson for their common sense in voting against this decision. Barbara Moran
This letter is in regard to recent comments from some past and current councillors, in the media, about events relating to the dismissal of the Lithgow City Council General Manager (GM). Whilst the focus has been on the cost of replacing the GM and according to one writer, a revenge from two of the current councillors (Village Voice Issue 134), there should be consideration of the council employees, past and present, their families and friends and the impact on the wider community of the Lithgow LGA. One reader of the Village Voice penned that there were rumours ‘floating around town’ about one of the current councillors but it is also to be noted that there are rumours about Lithgow City Council staff morale especially prior to the dismissal. One important issue to address is the high attrition rate of staff at Lithgow City Council. In recent years, there have been many experienced and well respected staff who have left employment at Lithgow City Council. In addition, there had been many staff on sick leave. The costs associated with advertisement, recruitment, training of new staff along with those on leave for medical reasons are accumulative and these have not been addressed and should be factored as a
Friday 16th December Tickets $59.50
I would just like to congratulate all involved with last weekend’s Halloween festivities. What a great event. To see so many happy people at a family friendly event , which benefits the whole community is fantastic. Not only does it benefit local accommodation, food and tourism providers but it helps to showcase all that is good about the Lithgow region. The skull auction showcases the talents of the local artists and helps Lithgow Tidy Towns to beautify Lithgow’s many laneways. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world and to have a community and Council which supports a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. We only have to look at the list of things that have been happening around the district in the last month to realise that we live in a very talented and vibrant community. In the last couple of weeks we have had a gymkhana at Rydal, the Mountain Cruzers car show, Portland Spring Fair, the fishing day at Wallerawang, the Cullen Bullen speedway, Halloween, Back to Hartley , art exhibitions and live music at the clubs. These are only the things I have heard about, there are probably many more. In the coming weeks there are a multitude of things on, including the Musical Society’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang show, open gardens at Rydal, the artist trail open weekend, Lithglo, markets and all the various Christmas activities. Anyone living in the community that can’t find something to go to must be hard to please. These events can’t happen without the support of Council, businesses which provide sponsorship and of course a multitude of dedicated and hardworking volunteers. So to all those involved in Halloween and the host of other events that showcase our wonderful region and community please know your efforts are appreciated. I look forward to many more events that help to showcase the best of Lithgow region. Rachael Young Rydal
The Village Voice
Rich Evans, Editor Email: editor@villagevoice.net.au Kellie Evans, Sales Email: sales@villagevoice.net.au
Office Details
Call our office on (02) 6355 4258 Office: 41A Williwa Street, Portland NSW 2847 Postal Address: PO Box 227 Portland NSW 2847 Visit our website at www.villagevoice.net.au
Melbourne Cup at The Workies.. Tuesday 1st November
8am opening
Champagne Breakfast In The Sweeps & fashions on the field Showroom Entertainment by ‘Natasha Duarte’ plus much more. from 7pm First past the post for fun, food and entertainment!
Tickets available at Club Reception from Today! 2
comparison cost to replacing the GM. The smiles of relief on many council employees’ faces may be short lived especially when they hear and read comments that condone the unacceptable behaviour of some in management and thus appear trivial or dismiss the staff’s concern as an ‘excessive over-reaction’. It is hoped that current management and councillors be mindful of their words and actions. The mental health of all is important and the ratepayers and residents expect you to be ‘models’ of fair and reasonable behaviour. It is also important for the health of the Lithgow LGA to stand alone and be proud of its past, present and future. The ratepayers and residents do not want Lithgow to be displayed in the media in a negative stance. Regards Jennifer Povey Meadow Flat
For more information call 6350 7777 visit www.workies.com.au or find us on Facebook submit your stories and read more at villagevoice.net.au