Dear Editor,
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This is a letter to the people of Narromine.
Over the past months I've had many people speak to me about their dissatisfaction with Narromine Shire Council and the performance of a number of councillors.
I say to them and who ever else feels this way, whatever your issue, you have the right to speak up about it, whether it's the Cenotaph issue, the levee bank, the rates increase or any other issue that is giving you concern, because unless citizens start speaking up nothing will change; and some councillors will continue their "chest beating" and trying to impress upon us what a wonderful job they are doing, when in truth they couldn't run a walk in the park successfully.
Just as you would tell a councillor "well done" if you thought they were doing a good job, you also have the right to speak up and tell them if you think they are doing a bad job, without fear.
If you feel that you're "banging your head against a brick wall" when you try to put your point across to a councillor; or council staff, be it executive staff or office staff, remember, you put the councillors where they are, and it's up to you to direct them in what you want done, and it's up to the mayor and the councillors to direct the general manager, who in turn directs the staff. You don't have to put up with arrogance, rudeness or ineptitude (lack of skill or ability).
At the moment it's my opinion, as far as that chain of command is concerned, the "tail is wagging the dog" instead of "the dog wagging the tail"
The citizens elect the councillors, and if you're not happy with any of them, vote them out at the next election. They'll get "all nice " coming up to the election, and make promises they can't keep, (like all politicians), but if you're disappointed in their performance, don't be "sweet talked", remember "a leopard can't change it's spots."
As to the staff in the council building, no matter what their title, important or not, or their pay grade, they are only public servants, they are paid to serve the public. We the ratepayers and citizens of this shire are the public that they are paid to serve, and as I've said before, if you are not happy with the service you are getting, speak up, nothing will happen unless you do.
If you have a complaint, or concern and you do not feel confident enough to approach the person who you have the problem with personally, there are other ways to go about it. There may be someone who's willing to help you put a letter together, or advise you who to take your complaint to that is not employed by, or connected to Narromine Shire Council.
It is important that we all speak up instead of just a few, it takes numbers to make changes.
This is a very important year for us all, the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli Landing, where thousands of young Australians laid down their lives for our countries freedom. I know part of this freedom would be the right to speak out against things that we aren't happy about so don't let them down! Speak up!
Dawn Brydon