Nominations opened last Thursday for candidates in this year's Local Government elections, and they close this Thursday at 4pm.
But there is absolutely no reference to the election or the opening of nominations on the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Council website. There has been nothing in the local newspapers. Nothing in the Mailbag and no sign of the Council's "Insight" publication.
After nominations close and the sitting councillors are all safely locked in with (they hope) no opponents and no need to fight an election, the Council will happily promote the election and the results.
CEO Tim Clynch and his team are happy with the current councillors because they almost always agree unanimously with his recommendations. This makes life easy and comfortable and all the decisions which affect our community are largely made behind closed doors during "informal briefing sessions" and "workshops" involving councillors and staff. The formal Council and Standing Committee meetings, which are open to the public and go on the public record then proceed quickly and smoothly to deliver the pre-arranged outcomes.
The only thing that could upset this lovely arrangement would be the unexpected election of pesky newcomers or dissenters like me. So when the elections roll around every two years, they keep things quiet until nominations are closed.
It is not too late. If you want to have a go at improving the way our Shire is run, just call the Returning Officer Elizabeth Doust on 0447 277043 and tell her you wish to nominate.
