Through no fault of his own, the Feather Duster happened to see parts of a TV show last week on Betty's coronation all those years ago. It was a glorious spectacle, both inside the hall and along the processional route. Most supposed spectacles we see these days often consist of coordinated marching by soldiers, usually in a country like China or North Korea where the leader acquires a boost to his ego from the display of military might. Be that as it may, there is little doubt that the British do pomp and ceremony better than most. There was another occasion of British hoop-la last weekend which your scribe tried to avoid but to no avail - trapped in a caravan with no alternative but the cold outside. The part that caught my attention was the extended address/harangue by the American evangelist. The body language of the royal family was amusing as on he went. It reminded me of a funeral some time ago for a popular, well regarded farmer where the minister appeared to become so overcome by a full church and overflowing hall that he tried to save the souls of those assembled with dire threats of fire and brimstone. Same technique, same forgotten purpose and similar result.
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Our local state member has issued a media release announcing TAFE has arranged to purchase a block of council land between George and Melyra Streets. Apparently this fits their criteria even if the need for proximity to Main Street is questionable, but it has the big advantage of leaving the Scouts and Guides Hall unaffected. Presumably the council will retain the old Band Hall which was the first chambers of the original Grenfell Municipal Council and so has high local heritage significance. Perhaps the associated parking area can continue to be available for public use also.
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It is noticeable that a growing number of health organisations are beginning to promote the need to reduce the sugar intake of people in general, particularly to combat obesity and diabetes in people all ages. Opponents of the move contend that a sugar tax which fractionally increases the price of, say, a can of soft drink, will not stop people buying it. I tend to agree, but to me, that is not the purpose of such a tax. The hit will be on the manufacturer which will be compelled for business reasons to reduce the sugar content to reduce their tax and remain competitive. Reportedly this is already happening, with Coca Cola Australia voluntarily reducing the sugar content of their range. That has to be a worthwhile result if it lessens future health problems for its many consumers, particularly our youth. This seems to be a business responding to the evidence and concerns of a variety of health professionals, and should be praised for doing so. Of course, over 30 other countries have already introduced sugar taxes so they may have seen the writing on the wall. Consideration of a sugar tax is still a possibility and may well be the most effective way to address the problem, but it is interesting that the mere threat of the tax has produced possibly altruistic action from one of the biggest players. It seems to prove the point. So, to mark the occasion for all the people who rely on Coke for their sugar fix, this week's dedication is the 1969 hit by the Archies, "Sugar, Sugar." Perhaps for Coke that should have been "Brown Sugar" by the Rolling Stones, but the Archies had the sweeter song.
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Local government always seems to be in the news for the wrong reasons, and probably always will be whilever the wrong people get elected. Sydney councillors are particularly prone to corruption accusations and continually draw the attention of ICAC or the Office of Local Government. It takes a lot of work to get a matter into ICAC but at least when they investigate something, they usually get the right outcome although the Obeid family might disagree. The same can't be said for the OLG which is painfully slow and seems to be restricted in what it can do. Some of the media reports of wrongdoing are unbelievable, but action from the OLG seems either ineffective or delayed. Your scribe can't help but compare the OLG's actions with the way they pursued the late David Taylor when he mistakenly failed to declare an indirect interest in a development application considered by council. David was an honest, honourable councillor who made a mistake. He wasn't some shonk trying to make his fortune, yet the then DLG went after him, ostensibly to make an example, it's a pity they don't show the same zeal now with much bigger fish.
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It seems councils in Queensland are having much the same problems, particularly with some mayors. The Qld government is reported to have enacted legislation to allow it to suspend individual councillors without having to sack the whole council. If they use it, this might help control any problems while they are properly investigated. If found guilty and a clr dismissed, the community is then only facing a by-election rather than a full council election, and the civic momentum can continue largely uninterupted. The legislation has some merit. The biggest problem seems that the system doesn't support and protect the main people who can identify corrupt conduct by councillors, and they are the general managers. The ICAC Act in NSW requires the GM to report ACTUAL or SUSPECTED corrupt conduct, but the GM's employment depends on being well regarded by the council. It is a difficult thing for many GMs to do when they know the source of a report can be leaked to the councillor concerned: if that councillor is also the mayor, it's Goodnight Charlie. Of course, if the GM is in on the action as has been the case in some regrettable instances, it falls to a more jnr officer to blow the whistle at great risk to themselves. The whistleblower needs adequate protection if local democracy is to work as intended and the spivs extricated. The total system needs a strategic overhaul.
Feather Duster No 3
T Lobb