Resentment 'palpable' in shire
Within Indigo Shire, we are not all in this together as some would have us believe and we have not been for a very long time. The underlying resentment is palpable and if we continue to ignore, suppress and believe in conjecture, then nothing changes.
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The foundations of Indigo Shire came about because a few of us supported our local councils and were able to convince the government at the time of amalgamation, that Historic Towns Shire (now known unfortunately as Indigo Shire) was worth investing in.
Sadly this has turned out not to be the case as we have witnessed and experienced the erosion of what was to have been an unique Australian shire, turned into a split arena where coming into battle to access equality in resources has become the norm.
The short sightedness of some people across all levels of the shire's organisation has in my opinion, undermined our foundations and has contributed to a lack of trust, lack of respect and lack of dignity toward ratepayers and those of us who have invested our personal time and resources in trying to up hold that for which we are supposed to represent.
We now know that whenever any community is asked to have their say on an intended project, if 80 per cent of the community want for argument's sake, a square building, then if three councillors say yes and four say no, then our 80 per cent is invalid, and we don't get what we want. How is that fair?
If we are to rebuild our foundations of Indigo Shire and give to all equality of resources, then I believe we must redesign and re-educate the people in charge of a failed system or work toward de-amalgamation. Make your vote count for an equitable shire.
Suzanne Grant, Chiltern
IN OTHER NEWS:
Writing benches must return for Melbourne Cup day
Covid has dominated our lives since March, and pre-Covid life will take years to return to near normal.
Melbourne Cup 2020 is not far away, and having managed a TAB agency for 32 years, the day was hectic and required extra staff.
The day is unique as most people have their one bet in the year. I had an information desk and roving staff to help customers to fill out tickets. The ticket bins were constantly refilled, such was the volume.
Since Covid appeared, tickets and writing benches have been removed from all TABs in NSW, and customers are required to be seated, as in Victoria.
The point of this letter: unless ticket bins and writing benches are restored, chaos will reign. How are customers expected to place their bets?
Some regulars have phone accounts, and as most outlets have only a small number of self-serve machines, the disruption will be obvious, even if on the day, tickets are available at the counter.
If the counter operators are required to write tickets for customers, it will be a very slow process and the drop in turnover will be enormous. Even with tickets supplied, the customer needs a bench to write them, usually near displayed fields.
TAB agents rely on Melbourne Cup day for a boost in income, and unless a satisfactory operational plan is developed, many customers will miss their cup bet,
TAB turnover will crash and public relations will suffer. Customer service is paramount.
