THE Albury councillor who instigated the public reprimand of Groove Saint has knocked back an offer to visit the venue.
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Cr David Thurley said he stood by the decision to express disappointment in the nightclub being named and shamed as a violent venue by the state government.
Groove Saint owner Craig Shearer responded by inviting councillors to attend the venue and check out its operations.
Cr Thurley agreed to meet with Mr Shearer on Monday, but at this stage the councillor won’t be entering Groove Saint.
“I have actually walked the streets with police and been outside the place and copped abuse just for being with police.”
But a poll of councillors yesterday revealed some who agreed with the criticism of Groove Saint were prepared to visit the venue.
They included the youngest and oldest councillors, Ross Jackson and Patricia Gould.
“I’m a pub person, personally,” Cr Jackson said.
“But Groove Saint management deserves a right of reply and, if they want to talk, I will listen. As long as they turn down the music so I can hear them talk.”
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Cr Gould said she didn’t attend nightclubs.
“If he wants to show me what happens in detail I don’t think it would hurt to have a look,” she said.
Cr Graham Docksey said Mr Shearer’s offer was a “good initiative”.
“I would like to look inside the venue to get an idea of what goes on,” he said.
Mayor Kevin Mack and councillors Darren Cameron and Henk van de Ven declined.
“We’ve urged him to do the right thing and I think he will,” Cr Mack said.
Cr Cameron said his clubbing days were over.
“I am too old to be spending time in a nightclub and given it is one of the most violent venues in NSW, I am disinclined to attend,” he said.
Cr van de Ven said late-night venues were not “my scene”.
“The proof in the pudding will be when he comes off the list he is on at the moment and is the reason why we are disappointed,” he said.
Cr Daryl Betteridge said as the chairman of the Albury Liquor Accord he had an understanding of how the industry operated and wouldn’t be taking up Mr Shearer’s offer.
“But I would encourage any other councillor who feels they need to gain a greater knowledge as to how it all works to take the offer up.”
Cr Alice Glachan couldn’t be contacted for comment.
Scroll down to see a vox pop of all councillors opinions:
Ross Jackson "If they want to talk I will listen, as long as they turn down the music so we can talk." |
Henk van de Ven "The proof in the pudding will be when he comes off the list he is on at the moment." |
Patricia Gould "If he wants to show me what happens in detail I don't think it would hurt to have a look." |
Graham Docksey "I would like to look inside the venue to get an idea of what goes on." |
David Thurley "I don't think I need to stand inside Groove Saint at 1am." |
Daryl Betteridge "I would encourage any other councillor to take the offer up." |
Darren Cameron "I am too old to be spending time in a nightclub and given it is one of the most violent nightclubs in NSW, I am disinclined to attend." |