Bushranger
Floored
Palmerston Mayor Ian Abbott has confirmed he’ll run for a second term as Mayor. Mr Abbott made the announcement on ABC talkback radio with Micky Murdoch. Abbott is most notorious among ratepayers for once saying he saw his role as a hobby. Pretty nice hobby for $117,000 a year. “It’s a wonderful thing for people to take things out of context really isn’t it? Yeah, I suppose I did say I believe things, because this is, being mayor is not a job to me. Yes there needs to be recompense for the time that I spend in this, you know, things,” he said. Seemingly chuffed with himself, Mr Abbott kept digging, declaring himself to be mayor “24/7”. When asked whether he had the confidence of council, Mr Abbott said: “I believe I do. Again, there’s always going to be a difference of opinions but that’s what a democracy is at the end of the day ...”
A town divided
Tropical Cyclone Alfred has huffed and puffed across the east of the Northern Territory. It’s taken out the bridge at Borroloola, splitting the town in half. According to Majunji Corporation CEO Greg Crofts: “There is concern among town people that if Roper Gulf Council are given the responsibility to oversee the repairs that if you consider past performance it will take years with no results while funds are absorbed in admin fees.” In summary, Mr Crofts is concerned the local council will act like a local council.
Smoke signals
Can the Territory learn from this? American footballer Tyler Ames is playing with NTFL club Darwin Buffaloes. Ames hails from Denver, Colorado, a city that has legalised cannabis. “We made it medicinal only, but now it can be used for recreational purposes if you’re older than 21,’’ he told Bushranger. “Funny thing is, we seem to have a hell of a lot of new residents in Denver as a result.’’
Day of rest
Overheard in the Darwin CBD as thousands streamed into the city from the Esplanade after last Sunday’s Bombing of Darwin service: two befuddled American chaps: “I don’t understand how every shop can be freaking closed”. We’d make a joke about penalty rates, but won’t, for risk of alienating 49.9 per cent of readers.
Barrel roll
THE barrel of fun has stopped spinning for one school in the Sanderson electorate, with reports a Labor MLA has gone all grinchy on donating free movie tickets for kids spotted doing the right thing. A disgruntled mum told Bushranger MLA Kate Worden had stopped donating free movie tickets, which were awarded in a barrel draw at school assembly each week. Apparently, previous MLA Peter Styles was all deep pockets when it came to donating the tickets each week. “Peter could be a bit of a windbag, but at least he got involved in the assemblies. It’s just piss poor really,” the upset mother said.
It’s war!
The Northern Territory Government has declared war on unborn Territorians, according to Right to Life Australia. That’s sort of like the scene in zombie movies when the government declares war on the undead. Unborn Territorians and their supporters are being encouraged to send handwritten letters to politicians, according to a press release which contains almost as many exclamation marks as letters.
Menagerie of the obvious
THE experts from the NT Government sent out a dire warning earlier this week about a dangerous pigeon disease, which also contained important information needed for completing your kindergarten homework. The info, for anyone studying up on exactly what beasts are being kept in Old McDonald’s rural retreat, said: “Farm animals include cattle, buffalo, pigs, chickens, ducks, bees, deer, llamas, camels, alpacas, sheep, goats and horses, including donkeys and mules”. Glad we got that out of the way. Now, on to colours of the rainbow
Jingili’s straight-about
From the mail bag: “If you drive down Freshwater Rd in Jingili, you’ll find a give way round about in the middle of a straight road. What? How did this happen? Who authorised this and to what end. It doesn’t make any sense. Would very much appreciate if you could find out.” The boffins at Darwin Council didn’t get back to Bushranger.
What a Kon!
Alleged drug runner Konstantinos Kontorinakis had a tough day in court this week, when he said he had been refused legal aid and would have to run his own trial. “Next time, I want the media here, I want the newspaper here,” he said. Chief Justice Michael Grant, chuckling, said: “Well, Mr Dunlop from the NT News is here, so I think you’ll get your story”.