Secret meetings behind closed doors. Last Friday evening 7th Nov, I discovered a meeting had been organised at the Deputy Mayor’s house, attending; Mayor Howlett, CEO Mal Osborne, Deputy Mayor Jacobs, Chamber of Commerce President Ziems, Vice President Hightower, Brendon Grylls MLA. It looks like a new independent council has been formed to discuss the direction of our town without the presence of all members elected through the democratic process. Can you see the irony of this backyard meeting, a bunch of burnt out leaders trying to resurrect their political or professional careers in an attempt to cover up the damage created within their term? Attempting to rise above the ashes of destruction caused by their occupation, the only logical explanation of this action would be, their own self preservation. I was informed the entire chamber committee knew about this encounter, so I called a few and asked, not the case at all! The managing secretary and some committee members had no idea. There was every opportunity to inform them at the luncheon with the Governor General (same day) where they were all present for hours (Chamber President, Vice President, managing secretary and committee members). The Chamber is supposed to be independent, advocating the best interests of our small businesses in this town, yet the Chambers Vice President put’s forward a proposal suggesting all accommodation be removed to allow heavy industry and Noxious uses full and unrestricted access to the Wedgefield area. The fundamental foundations of small business are the sole traders, mum and dad operator, they are the ‘commerce’, that require the support and protection of the chamber in this current economic climate. If you are under the illusion the new committee will improve the statist-quo your mistaken, the Chamber of Commerce committee is predominantly filled with employees off multinationals or government agencies, strategically inserted for their own benefit. The very organisation claiming to protect and serve the business community is becoming the enemy. Why has the CEO, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and our local member, had a meeting about town business without informing all council members and/or allowing their attendance? If it was so important to discuss curtain subjects, why not at the appropriate venue ‘council chambers’ or at a council meeting at the appropriate times in front of the community, as specified in the Local Government Act 1995? This is not open accountability or the democratic process. A better proactive approach on town development, leading to vibrancy and diversification would be to actually put some proposals to the state government for consideration. There has been nothing put forward by the above mentioned. The only development that can be started ‘The Marina Precinct on the spoil bank’ is being stalled by the same. The staff of our town are negotiating a new EBA, this already has been voted down once but the CEO has pressured staff into accepting the EBA agreement by suggesting back pay will not be forthcoming if it is not agreed on. We have a lot of unhappy staff at the Town of Port Hedland, this has led to many joining the union. The town’s staff are on the verge of a mass exodus if the problem is not removed, currant CEO! All this together with, BHP Billiton reducing their workforce by sacking people that have been loyal and local for many years. This clearly adds to the building fear of ‘no job security’ in our town. So in conclusion currently in Hedland; • The business community is collapsing • Secret meetings with selected members of the town and chamber alienating the majority • The Chamber putting motions forward that would destroy small business in our town • BHP Billiton sacking many locals • The Marina Precinct being stalled Let’s not forget the same people I’m referring to here, have been riding the biggest resource boom in our countries history and have failed to capitalize or foresee ANYTHING beneficial to Hedland. This town is dying, some of the people responsible are listed on this page.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 01:43:38 +0000
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