DEAR News Of The Area,

THE local government election this Saturday has raised a couple of issues for me more generally.

Some candidates continue to hide their political affiliations and claim to be “independent”.

This is not transparent.

Some of these candidates then falsely claim that we should keep politics out of our Councils.

This is disingenuous.

I think any Council needs to find a way to operate as a team encompassing a range of views and landing wherever possible on the best outcome for their constituents.

Councils that operate this way are most successful, inclusive and enhance the best aspects of local communities.

Councils are not parliaments they are local and, as such, should embody unity not division.

NSW legislation prohibits developers and their associates from becoming councillors.

Why are real estate agents still eligible?

Whilst not casting any aspersions about any particular individuals past, present or potential, I have always thought it impossible for such people to not be apprised of planning information that could be considered privileged.

Once exposed, they cannot unhear such information.

This means that they can potentially exploit this for their own gain and have an unfair advantage over other agents.

I wish all those brave aspirants in the current elections best of luck and goodwill for the challenges ahead.

Regards,
Paul SEKFY,
Yarranbella.