Call for councillors to set the standard

It is not often that a newly elected council has the opportunity to recruit a new chief executive officer.

Council must search out a person who will support them and implement the collective criteria upon which they were elected.

Voters cast their vote based on the manifesto produced by candidates at last year’s elections – councillors, don’t miss the chance to have an influence on selection criteria in the position description.

Councillors will be told the ceo must do this and that, with the key selection criteria set by past practise and the state government. This is the time to stand up and is a once only chance councillors have to set in place their aspirations for Baw Baw residents.

Without diminishing the achievements of Helen Anstis, the inclusion of new office facilities at Drouin could hardly be claimed as a high roller – pretty much a complete new build that has not demonstrated to the community any benefit.

And the station precinct – would have thought council was a two bit player in a state government project – this is one where state Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood can take the credit – all we received as ratepayers was a $75,000 bill for relocation of an old building that remains empty.

And the new swimming facilities – initially wrong tiles and no ladders to allow easy exit from the pool.

Of course, the mayor will jump in to say what a great job we have all done. The mayor lists capping the Trafalgar waste dump as an achievement – it was done to comply with the law.

What I would have preferred to read in the list of achievements is that the old milk factory in Queen St is being redeveloped and council has co-operated with the owner to have some form of development progressed – instead legal battles that do nothing for our town.

Just a pity Cr Power was not elected mayor – a much better chance to take new directions in Baw Baw. The mayor, Cr Gauci, was the last candidate for central ward returned at last year’s election, in by the skin of his teeth, yet he ran for mayor and managed to get the numbers.

Week in, week out letters to the editor identify issues that do not seem to be addressed. I have an issue that goes back to 2011, when I raised with the ceo the closure of the municipal offices from Christmas Eve till until January 3 – 11 days – pretty much the same period of closure, year in year out.

The response – it was to be looked at to keep a skeleton staff operating at one centre – an acknowledgement but no answer ever received.

Council must be aware and alert in the recruitment of a new ceo – adopt the process as you want it.

As a retired ceo of three metropolitan councils and the first mayor of Banyule, together with consulting briefs in recruitment, I am very much aware of the model that will be presented, with councillors permitted to play at the edges.

Instead, start with a blank piece of paper and write down your own ideas – then look at the model presented to you – what fits, what doesn’t – if you want something to be included, ask how this can be achieved – don’t simply accept the answer “we can’t do that”.

Don McLean, Warragul