The Mayoral Election results were announced today. As expected Peter Blackmore received over 50 per cent of the vote, but only just. I was feeling quite down yesterday as I knew we had worked so hard, our little team, but with such a short lead time and no party behind me, it was difficult to compete.
I guess you have to measure the success of our campaign against the little achievements, the decisions to support the community and consult, to listen and to start to build a picture of what people want to achieve in Maitland.
I am very motivated to continue to work in public life, and the major feedback has been that people did not know who we were and what we stood for, which was a valid statement. We did not have enough time or resources to tell them.
I must say how pleased and honoured I was to have Lance Murray on my side. He staffed the Pre-poll booth each day and was a tireless and positive influence on our campaign. I thank him every day for the work he put into the campaign.
I will be working to start and enhance my relationship with the electorate. I think the people of Maitland deserve someone who will genuinely push ahead with the city, but not lose sight of them and their needs.
Someone asked me during the campaign, when are they going to stop measuring the success and growth of our city in the number of buildings we create, and look at the kind of community we are creating? I think alot of the crime and disconnectedness of our community stems from this and we need to act quickly to try and start a community consultation that exists beyond the Council and their friends, and into the very heart of Maitland and its people.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Mixed Motivations and Media
I have finally bee misquoted in the media , as I don't believe that my cuppas were reported as an anti-women thing, I think it was from entrenched Councillors and/or their supporters. I was pretty disappointed about this as I had thought I had been very clear when asked if I thought it was an anti-woman sabatoge, that I didn't think so, although I could understand why Councillor Woods would think so as she is already a sitting councillor.
I have been attacked by Councillors Proctor and Geoghan every day in the papers at some level or another, and every time Bob Geoghan sees me he has a seriously hard look at what I am doing so he can start criticising me. You should have seen him checking out the authorisations on my t-shirt (which I didn't need to have, but just did to cover my bases).
Peter Blackmore has said he was worried that he would not get any preferences from anyone, and carrying on with a whole lot of rubbish about how he didn't know what he would do as he was getting married in December and he was nervous about not getting elected.
He has been an elected representative of Maitland since 1981 including 8 years on a full Parliamentary Salary as the Member of Maitland. Being in politics should not be about getting an income, it should be about serving the people in your community.
I called up the radio station and clarified his position about him having no preference deals on the table, telling ABC Radio that I had asked for his preferences and he had said no as he would be elected first and his would not be distributed, and in any case he didn't need preferences last time as he won with over 50% of the vote.
it was very much at odds with his statements earlier in the morning.
I also got the opportunity to say that Steve Proctor had asked me to run independent with him, and to ask him what was the difference between me running on my own and running with the Blackmore Independents = basically that I had received no developer contributions.
It is good to be able to clarify things!
I have been attacked by Councillors Proctor and Geoghan every day in the papers at some level or another, and every time Bob Geoghan sees me he has a seriously hard look at what I am doing so he can start criticising me. You should have seen him checking out the authorisations on my t-shirt (which I didn't need to have, but just did to cover my bases).
Peter Blackmore has said he was worried that he would not get any preferences from anyone, and carrying on with a whole lot of rubbish about how he didn't know what he would do as he was getting married in December and he was nervous about not getting elected.
He has been an elected representative of Maitland since 1981 including 8 years on a full Parliamentary Salary as the Member of Maitland. Being in politics should not be about getting an income, it should be about serving the people in your community.
I called up the radio station and clarified his position about him having no preference deals on the table, telling ABC Radio that I had asked for his preferences and he had said no as he would be elected first and his would not be distributed, and in any case he didn't need preferences last time as he won with over 50% of the vote.
it was very much at odds with his statements earlier in the morning.
I also got the opportunity to say that Steve Proctor had asked me to run independent with him, and to ask him what was the difference between me running on my own and running with the Blackmore Independents = basically that I had received no developer contributions.
It is good to be able to clarify things!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A win for Community Consultation
Good day today - we had pre polling again and ended up doing a few media interviews regarding the Community Cuppas.
I imagine that those who put in a complaint about my morning teas would have thought they would have put paid to my chance to consult with the community, however it is fine to have the morning teas, as long as I charge for them.
I decided was daffodil yesterday to donate the money to the Cancer Council. I could put it to fundraising for my campaign, but at the end of the day, it is not about me, it is about doing something for the community.
I have had no donations from developers (or anyone else for that matter), so thing are tight, but at least I know that I will not be answerable to anyone at the end of this other than the voters!
I imagine that those who put in a complaint about my morning teas would have thought they would have put paid to my chance to consult with the community, however it is fine to have the morning teas, as long as I charge for them.
I decided was daffodil yesterday to donate the money to the Cancer Council. I could put it to fundraising for my campaign, but at the end of the day, it is not about me, it is about doing something for the community.
I have had no donations from developers (or anyone else for that matter), so thing are tight, but at least I know that I will not be answerable to anyone at the end of this other than the voters!
Monday, September 1, 2008
End of the First Day Pre- Polling
Well, it was a big day today - I found out that my story about the Cups of Coffees made the Maitland Mercury and I was also in the social pages of the Newcastle Herald as I attended BPW's 55th Anniversary Dinner last week, so that was nice.
A friend and I got to Town Hall for Pre-Polling before it opened and set up the tables. I met with some of the candidates, and this was interesting as there was quite a bit of political debate going on between the candidates.
It was a busy day as we are nominating for the NSW Tourism Awards in two categories this year - one in Major Tour and Transport Operator and one in Excellence in Sustainable Tourism and it was like any busy Monday, as well as calls from the Newcastle Herald and the radio station 2HD about the cup of tea thing.
I went into work around morning tea time, and told the team that they would all have to make their own cups of tea and coffee as they mainly live in Maitland LGA and if I provided tea and coffee it might be seen as a bribe to vote for them - I guess you have to laugh! The only constructive thing about the whole tea and coffee thing was that I decided that I would donate my cups of coffee and tea revenue to Breast and Ovarian Cancer as it was Daffodil Day today!
Councillor Proctor told me it was wrong that I didn't stand on the ALP party ticket again, just before some people came up and asked for a how-to-vote from me because they knew me from my workplace role at Northern Highland Travel - it really reinforced that I am known in the community for a variety of roles and positions and that Labor is just one of them.
The most ironic thing about that is Steve asked me to stand with him several months ago. I still can't work out how it would have been okay for me to run as an independent in North Ward on his ticket but not in East Ward (where I live) on my own ticket?
I picked up some of my corflutes from the printer - really interesting about how many of the candidates went elsewhere to get their material printed outside of the Maitland Local Government Area. I think it is a poor symbol of the support you show for your community if you get things printed out of area. I noticed Labor and my teams used local printers in Maitland, whilst most of the other Liberals and Independents used printers from Newcastle and even further afield.
I got a letter from the Maitland Basketball Association which I answered today, so hopefully they will come to my community meetings and I can get to know some of them better.
A good day.
A friend and I got to Town Hall for Pre-Polling before it opened and set up the tables. I met with some of the candidates, and this was interesting as there was quite a bit of political debate going on between the candidates.
It was a busy day as we are nominating for the NSW Tourism Awards in two categories this year - one in Major Tour and Transport Operator and one in Excellence in Sustainable Tourism and it was like any busy Monday, as well as calls from the Newcastle Herald and the radio station 2HD about the cup of tea thing.
I went into work around morning tea time, and told the team that they would all have to make their own cups of tea and coffee as they mainly live in Maitland LGA and if I provided tea and coffee it might be seen as a bribe to vote for them - I guess you have to laugh! The only constructive thing about the whole tea and coffee thing was that I decided that I would donate my cups of coffee and tea revenue to Breast and Ovarian Cancer as it was Daffodil Day today!
Councillor Proctor told me it was wrong that I didn't stand on the ALP party ticket again, just before some people came up and asked for a how-to-vote from me because they knew me from my workplace role at Northern Highland Travel - it really reinforced that I am known in the community for a variety of roles and positions and that Labor is just one of them.
The most ironic thing about that is Steve asked me to stand with him several months ago. I still can't work out how it would have been okay for me to run as an independent in North Ward on his ticket but not in East Ward (where I live) on my own ticket?
I picked up some of my corflutes from the printer - really interesting about how many of the candidates went elsewhere to get their material printed outside of the Maitland Local Government Area. I think it is a poor symbol of the support you show for your community if you get things printed out of area. I noticed Labor and my teams used local printers in Maitland, whilst most of the other Liberals and Independents used printers from Newcastle and even further afield.
I got a letter from the Maitland Basketball Association which I answered today, so hopefully they will come to my community meetings and I can get to know some of them better.
A good day.
Happy Daffodil Day and Another Reason Why we Need Cheaper and More MRI Machines
I have the BRCA 2 Gene, the Breast Cancer gene which causes breast cancer and is also linked with ovarian cancer.
Before my sister got diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28 two years ago I had never met anyone with this gene, and then eventually I found out I had it.
Breast tumours in younger women are harder to pick up as the breast tissue is more dense and mammograms and ultrasounds are often not effective in this area.
After I found out about my gene status, I was advised that a quick way to reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer caused by the gene was to have a bilateral salpingo oopherectomy (or total hysterectomy where they remove the ovaries as well). This would reduce the Ovarian cancer risk to about 1-3 per cent which is in line with the general population and half the increased risk of breast cancer to about 23% (the average for women without the gene is 9%).
I have been doing the health thing too, increasing my exercise and reducing alcohol (which are both implicated in cancers) and overall reduce fat. Slowly it is working (although I must say after you hit menopause, it is pretty hard to stop the weight gain, even if you are only 37!). The other thing I have been doing is getting screening done and there are some post menopausal tests they can do for women at risk of ovarian cancer which are quite good, but I still need some testing for breast cancer.
My breast specialists (I won't say surgeon because that is not my hope for our relationship), told me that the best way to screen is a new MRI technique. It is quite expensive however and costs about $500 to $700. There are also issues with training in the correct scanning and interpretation techniques. My doctor told me that they had been working on this for about ten years in Sydney and the machine component that is coming up to the Hunter (or may already be here, I am only due for my screen now), will be in use as soon as the training is completed.
My sister emailed me the other day to say that she had seen an interview with Christina Applegate, the Hollywood Star who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, she also had one of the Breast Cancer Genes. Her cancer was diagnosed early through MRI as her mother had suffered from the disease.
I am so pleased that there are days like Daffodil Day. I use it as my annual reminder to do something for myself (get my screening done) and something for others - renew my donations, buy a daffodil, and promote this cause.
It is really scary finding out whether that lump is something to worry about, but it is even scarier if you find out later that it was.
Before my sister got diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28 two years ago I had never met anyone with this gene, and then eventually I found out I had it.
Breast tumours in younger women are harder to pick up as the breast tissue is more dense and mammograms and ultrasounds are often not effective in this area.
After I found out about my gene status, I was advised that a quick way to reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer caused by the gene was to have a bilateral salpingo oopherectomy (or total hysterectomy where they remove the ovaries as well). This would reduce the Ovarian cancer risk to about 1-3 per cent which is in line with the general population and half the increased risk of breast cancer to about 23% (the average for women without the gene is 9%).
I have been doing the health thing too, increasing my exercise and reducing alcohol (which are both implicated in cancers) and overall reduce fat. Slowly it is working (although I must say after you hit menopause, it is pretty hard to stop the weight gain, even if you are only 37!). The other thing I have been doing is getting screening done and there are some post menopausal tests they can do for women at risk of ovarian cancer which are quite good, but I still need some testing for breast cancer.
My breast specialists (I won't say surgeon because that is not my hope for our relationship), told me that the best way to screen is a new MRI technique. It is quite expensive however and costs about $500 to $700. There are also issues with training in the correct scanning and interpretation techniques. My doctor told me that they had been working on this for about ten years in Sydney and the machine component that is coming up to the Hunter (or may already be here, I am only due for my screen now), will be in use as soon as the training is completed.
My sister emailed me the other day to say that she had seen an interview with Christina Applegate, the Hollywood Star who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, she also had one of the Breast Cancer Genes. Her cancer was diagnosed early through MRI as her mother had suffered from the disease.
I am so pleased that there are days like Daffodil Day. I use it as my annual reminder to do something for myself (get my screening done) and something for others - renew my donations, buy a daffodil, and promote this cause.
It is really scary finding out whether that lump is something to worry about, but it is even scarier if you find out later that it was.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Rotary Long Lunch at Eelah
What a great day!
I arrived just after 12 as I was caught up campaigning, and met with some of the Rotarians from the Sunrise Rotary Club of Maitland. It was lovely to see them again, as I spoke at one of their meetings a few months ago, and always it was an inspiring way to see a range of products from all around the Hunter, showcased by the very kind sponsors of the event.
This year the focus of the Long Lunch was Survivor Boxes, which cost about $1,200 each and contain enough supplies to keep a family of ten people going for about 6 months when a natural disaster or international emergency occurs.
It was a great opportunity to find out what excellent work Rotary is doing in the international community, and they raised an enormous amount of money for the boxes, going well above their target of 10 boxes (I think in the end the final number was 18!). The Auction was well supported, as were the raffles, with a huge range of prizes on offer, and people keen to dig deep to help provide funds to help others in need.
Congratulations to all the Rotarians who helped put on a great day!
I arrived just after 12 as I was caught up campaigning, and met with some of the Rotarians from the Sunrise Rotary Club of Maitland. It was lovely to see them again, as I spoke at one of their meetings a few months ago, and always it was an inspiring way to see a range of products from all around the Hunter, showcased by the very kind sponsors of the event.
This year the focus of the Long Lunch was Survivor Boxes, which cost about $1,200 each and contain enough supplies to keep a family of ten people going for about 6 months when a natural disaster or international emergency occurs.
It was a great opportunity to find out what excellent work Rotary is doing in the international community, and they raised an enormous amount of money for the boxes, going well above their target of 10 boxes (I think in the end the final number was 18!). The Auction was well supported, as were the raffles, with a huge range of prizes on offer, and people keen to dig deep to help provide funds to help others in need.
Congratulations to all the Rotarians who helped put on a great day!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Storm in a Tea Cup - or the end of Community Consultation?
As a new candidate, I have decided that the best way to represent our local community is to host a series of "Community Cuppas" at a variety of community venues across Maitland over the next two weeks.
My invitation to a "Community Cuppa" is to give people the opportunity to speak to someone directly who wants to represent their views in Local Government. Unlike other candidates I have put forward a program of events to gain feedback from the local community, rather than putting forward a whole lot of one-hit-wonder policies simply to try and get a media grab. I am not offering people a cup of tea for voting for me, and I am sure I will have people attend who will not vote for me, but at least I can hear their views and perhaps find some common issues we can put forward together to make a Better Maitland.
An individual lodged a complaint with the Returning Officer to say that giving people a cup of tea when you ask for their views on community issues could be construed as a treat or a bribe to make them vote for you. Whoever lodged that complaint has a contemptible view of our local community and puts a very low value on community opinions. What kind of a Councillor will they be if they value the thoughts and ideas of our community so poorly?
I was advised of this complaint late this afternoon, and disagree with it. I will be seeking other advice prior to the events, however at the moment I face a possible fine of $1,000 or 3 years in jail if I give people who attend my Community Cuppas a cup of tea, or coffee or a biscuit! This raises all sorts of issues for democracy, how can elected representatives and candidates engage with the community if you can't meet with them and offer them a simple cup of tea for giving you their value time and opinions? What has happened to common courtesy?
The Community Cuppas have been advertised and I intend to proceed, but now, to let people give me their "two cents worth", I may have to charge them if they have a Cuppa! I guess I could use the events as a fundraiser! The only good news is that I can still hold the events and it is not so bad to have a "Community Cuppa" without the a Cup of Tea or Coffee, because after all, it really is all about "Community".
At least the people of Maitland will know their views are valuable to me and that is the most important thing.
My invitation to a "Community Cuppa" is to give people the opportunity to speak to someone directly who wants to represent their views in Local Government. Unlike other candidates I have put forward a program of events to gain feedback from the local community, rather than putting forward a whole lot of one-hit-wonder policies simply to try and get a media grab. I am not offering people a cup of tea for voting for me, and I am sure I will have people attend who will not vote for me, but at least I can hear their views and perhaps find some common issues we can put forward together to make a Better Maitland.
An individual lodged a complaint with the Returning Officer to say that giving people a cup of tea when you ask for their views on community issues could be construed as a treat or a bribe to make them vote for you. Whoever lodged that complaint has a contemptible view of our local community and puts a very low value on community opinions. What kind of a Councillor will they be if they value the thoughts and ideas of our community so poorly?
I was advised of this complaint late this afternoon, and disagree with it. I will be seeking other advice prior to the events, however at the moment I face a possible fine of $1,000 or 3 years in jail if I give people who attend my Community Cuppas a cup of tea, or coffee or a biscuit! This raises all sorts of issues for democracy, how can elected representatives and candidates engage with the community if you can't meet with them and offer them a simple cup of tea for giving you their value time and opinions? What has happened to common courtesy?
The Community Cuppas have been advertised and I intend to proceed, but now, to let people give me their "two cents worth", I may have to charge them if they have a Cuppa! I guess I could use the events as a fundraiser! The only good news is that I can still hold the events and it is not so bad to have a "Community Cuppa" without the a Cup of Tea or Coffee, because after all, it really is all about "Community".
At least the people of Maitland will know their views are valuable to me and that is the most important thing.
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