There is no conflict of interest for Cr Sharp

The only conflict of interest is that those who are attempting to stifle free speech and close down debate.

I do not for one moment believe that Cr Graham Sharp is guilty of any breach of conflict of interest at Gore District Council.

The council has an agreement to supply the Sharp Family Trust farm with water in the event that the farm runs out of water from the farm groundwater source.

Whether the council drills a new bore or doesn’t drill, pumps, or doesn’t pump, if the SFT farm runs out of water, the council has to supply. Simply put, it doesn’t matter, either outcome is neutral. The SFT farm gets water.

However, Cr Sharp’s neighbours do not have any agreement with the council to supply water to their farms should the bores run dry.

Clearly, Cr Sharp was speaking to the council, expressing the very real concerns of his neighbours whose very economic livelihood is put at risk should water supply reduce or run out.

As a representative of his community, Cr Sharp was behaving properly to raise these matters. No case to answer.

The only conflict of interest is that those who are attempting to stifle free speech and close down debate.

Mayor Tracy Hicks should harden up, pull himself together and allow full, frank discussion and protect the speaking rights of all those who are representing the community.

The community expects, and councillors have a right to expect, to hear all points of view, to be fully informed, when discussing and deciding a matter. Ian Robertson