Speaking of President Pratico not comprehending the principle of conflicts of interest (see Post below), what about his extraordinary outburst attacking the Blues committee for daring to allow food and drink vendors into town for the event where they competed for business with his fried chicken outlet.
Pratico had a run-in with the organisers on the Blues weekend when they refused to agree to his demands that all food and drink vendors be moved away from his shop (presumably to locations near other shops). And he promised a square-up.
This came in the form of a spray for the Blues committee on the front page of the Donnybrook-Bridgetown Mail this week. Speaking as the Shire President, Mr Pratico seemed oblivious to the benefits the annual festival brings to the town, instead focusing on the outside competition for sales of food and drink.
"From the Tea House near Kordics to Horti Towers there are a dozen coffee machines, but the Blues insist on getting coffee vendors in from outside...
"I've got one here in my shop and they wanted to put a vendor outside my business. The Shire is a sponsor for the Blues and we continually get treated badly."
He seems to be improperly suggesting that because the Shire sponsors the event, he as Shire President should be able to direct what vendors come to town and where they set up, and in particular insist there is no impact on his ability to make maximum profits from the event.
What sort of a community leader is this, who is prepared to jeopardise a massive community event in a fit of pique because he wasn't able to dictate terms to them and insist on no competition for his business?
I'll tell you what sort.... The short-sighted, selfish and greedy sort.
I was disgusted by Pratico's comments. How much business would he (and the other traders who complained that their takings were down) have got on the weekend in question if there was no Blues festival held?
If Bridgtown loses the Blues festival, blame should be laid at the feet of this incompetent and intemperate Shire President and those of his ilk.
