Good morning world, and/or night depending on where you are and/or when you read this...(well that should cover just about everyone and/or anyone-Ed)...well, we do try to be inclusive here at TMGI...
Not infrequently people warn me to 'watch my back', as indeed I occasionally offer that same advice. The causes for concern cited to me range from getting sued to getting shot...(deadset?-Ed)...deadset...and is usually accompanied by the observation that at least we live in a society (Australia) where one can say the sort of things I do with freedom and in relative safety.
You don't have to go far to find examples of societies where the instability and volatility of government and/or a compromised 'Rule of Law' can generate internal conflicts, criminality, and/or violence.
Across the planet the human obsession with 'Faith' continues to compromise and/or drive social structures and interactions, eg, Iraq is reportedly on the verge of a Civil War effectively between two differing Muslim groups and/or other conflicts between even smaller splinter groups and/or sects...(you're doing quite a lot of anding and oring...any particular reason?-Ed)...yes...this is the new, improved, seeing all points of view, objectively critical yet totally inclusive The Mount Gambier Independent...it makes me just want to sing...(stop thaart, we'll 'arv nor singin' 'ear- Ed)...
"We're all in this together"...come on sing it everyone..."We're all in it together"...right in It...remember this charming little Rann Labor Party jingle...sorry, I digress...
The 'Arab Spring' has apparently sprung, or is enjoying and/or...(there you go again-Ed)...decrying the Military ousting of the first ever democratically elected Egyptian leader, President Morsi, in favour of an appointed (by the military) new leader Adli Mansou.
Issues of faith were/are front and centre, with Mr Morsi representing the Muslim Brotherhood, but many argued that the issues of a collapsing economy, lack of consultation/inclusion, and then President Morsi granting himself the right to absolute infallibility, etc, were the main drivers...yet again it is where you already stand that will ultimately define for you your own version of this reality.
There are undoubtedly many who might find themselves concerned with the Sectarian focus of the President and ruling party, and/or other issues, yet still supported Mr Morsi because of the democratic principles being challenged by the physical reality of what has transpired...a Military Coup...maybe the Army didn't storm the Parliament in tanks or anything quite so dramatic, but a coup has occurred, and the Military facilitated it...and this is how many are reporting/describing the situation...a Coup...
And it is not bloodless...dozens of protesters have been killed, both Morsi supporters and opponents, in street protests and targeted attacks...and in amongst that, multiple 'pack sexual assaults' on women in Tahrir Square, where large groups of men encircle targeted women, isolate them, and violently sexually assault them...it does my shrekin head in...
Just when I want to try and generate a sense of purpose and reason to all of this mayhem in Egypt - this is what people are prepared to endure, upto and including dying, in the pursuit and/or...(yes, I see what you mean...trying to cover all aspects has it's pitfalls neatly negotiated with an all encompassing 'and/or'-Ed)...except of course where there are more than two options and/or opinions and/or operative paradigms...(oh, shut up and just get on with it-Ed)...yeah, sorry...where and/or was I?...ah, yes...
Yes...I genuinely want to believe that noble ideals of Secular Separation and Democracy and Equality, etc, are the driving motivations behind these machinations, but my cynicism wins the day, galloping to victory on the back of the multiple layers of self-interest and abuses and international manipulation of the processes, etc...I for one have never put much stock in the 'Arab Spring' as being anything other than a redistribution of the power and the wealth, resources, etc...Democracy be damned...
And Tunisia and Libya and Iraq...Mr Gadaffi and Mr Hussein were both 'Western Allies' when it suited Western Powers, and then the worst criminals in history when that needed to be the discourse in reverse justifying invasions of those two countries...Democracy be damned...
But again I digress...(ramble incoherently you mean-Ed)...sorry, what?...(no, nothing...I said 'your pre-amble is consistently keen'...you know?...keen...sharp and/or insightful-Ed)...yeahhh, whatever...
Locally, following the sale of the South East Forestry Estate, the logs are all truckin' off to Portland...(oh, nice-Ed)...according to latest figures there has been a rise in log numbers leaving for China via the port of Portland, Victoria...therefore lots of logs on trucks on the roads, etc...this was/is a natural progression of the Forestry Sale that many Sale opponents predicted.
Issues of job cuts at, and/or even the demise of, Forestry SA have also been through the media again with accompanying denials and assurances from this weeks Minister for Whatevs...and where and/or how does one place any faith in the word of a Labor state government that has flat out lied lied so many times on this Forestry issue alone...(flat out?-Ed)...like a lizard drinking...(what an apt metaphor-Ed)...
'No we haven't decided' (Jack Snelling in Adelaide) and that same day 'The decision is made...it's happening...deal with it'(Michael O'Brien in Mt Gambier)...'No we haven't sold the Glencoe Nursery' (Gail Gago-in parliament)...'yes you have' (everyone else)...and so it and/or I go on...
And calls for a 'Bio Mass' electricity generation facility to utilise the waste material from Forestry...so all the logs (and associated industry, jobs, etc) go offshore...whereevs...and we get to burn the leftovers to keep the lights on...charming...I'm all for utilising anything to maximum benefit and return, but hows about some log related jobs here...the closest we are looking at is another mill to prepare logs for export...bottom-end processing and no manufacturing...or a Pulp Mill...how about a bigger jail?...
Apparently some people share my concerns and/or displeasure with NF McDonnell and Sons Timber Mill re their highly prejudicial and privileged conduct with special extended log supply deals and massive Labor government hand-outs...is Ian McDonnell still a member of the Forestry Taskforce/Advisory Board/Whatevs that is the progression of the Forestry Round Table?
I have been surprised by the repeated observation that "You're right Nick, they are being used to make other businesses look bad and hide the fall-out of the Forestry Sale"...not used to being told I'm right...(I bet-Ed)...and there will be further posts on this issue after I have checked yet more 'accusations'...
And finally fish...well seaweed...there has been a massive die-off of seagrass North of Adelaide, pretty much adjacent with the Bolivar Sewerage Works, and locals naturally point the finger at emissions from the Works, but the state government authorities have denied any connection...again reality defines the argument as one of personal belief.
These same authorities strictly ruled out any association between the fish die-off earlier this year(? date sorry) and a massive discharge event from the DeSalination Plant at Hallett Cove that occurred on the very day of the deaths.
It is absolutely unsustainable to completely rule out the connection between a major rain event, the Sewerage Works, and/or the multiple other sources of pollution laden run-off that pours into the Gulf every time there's good rains on Adelaide.
Sadly, we continue to treat the environment as a convenient source of refuse re-distribution...just like the Fluoridation of Water Supplies...(owww, bazinga...that's a 'conspiracy theory' about 'Industry' using Fluoridation to sell their waste that would cost a fortune to dispose of otherwise-Ed)...
Theories aside, the realities of how we treat water and the environment in general will haunt us to our collective, dusty graves...(so no pressure then-Ed)...we simply cannot continue to pollute the Gulfs of South Australia (or the Murray) in the manner that we currently do and expect the ecosystems to survive...the Torrens River is already little more than an open sewer..
Other Issues: I have finally made contact with Premier Jay Weatherill's office and am providing them with an outline of 'what I want', so I'll do that and post it as well...don't quite understand why I need to do it yet again...and I'm not holding my breath.
Also spoke briefly with Nationals Candidate for the federal Seat of Barker, Mr Miles Hannemann, and we have qrganised to catch-up 'formally' next time either of us is near the other (he's in Keith, 210kms away). Don't want to mis-quote him, but I believe that we agree on some issues already, eg, Child Protection, the failings of Wind Turbines, and he stikes me as a fairly moderate and genuine person...keep you posted.
Tomorrow: DeBelle Ends Part V - But It Never Ends
New and extraordinary details are emerging almost daily re the Western suburbs After School Care Director jailed for Child Abuse without parents being told, etc, and the case of a man on bail for Child Abuse charges, but still working with children, with the approval and knowledge of the Court...it's part of his Bail conditions...unbeshrekinlievable...
I am a large angry hippy...and this is my blog...laters...
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
DeBelle Ends Part IV: Where's Mike Rann and Rory McEwen
Hello New Zealand, France, Hong Kong and everyone else...I refer you to previous posts re the Debelle Inquiry, the St Martins Lutheran School Child Abuse Issue, and former Premier Mike Rann and former MP Rory McEwen.
There are at least two people directly involved in and officially responsible for the Legislatively, Executively, and Judicially sanctioned Child Abuse Cover-Up that is the state of South Australia...two whom have conveniently slunk out of sight and supposedly responsibility...(let me guess-Ed)...no, let me tell you.
Perpetual scum-bag Rory McEwen, and that loathsome spotted reptile Mike Rann...(good to see that you've moved on from personal abuse-Ed)...please see previous posts that explain, quantify, and dare I say it...(I bet you do dare...to say it-Ed)...justify my hatred for these alleged human beings...
Rory McEwen is the most complicit conspirator in the St Martins Lutheran School Child Abuse Cover-Up scandal, outside of the Lutheran Church and SAPol (police) and is personally responsible for much of our suffering as families pursuing the St Martins Issue...and I can easily draw a direct line between Rory and these latest abuses and the cover-up of those abuses.
And I say 'Cover-Up' of these abuses because that is exactly what has happened...be it be default or design, the abuses have been covered up, and most critically, kept from the parents of other abused children...an absolute outrage...
I draw that line directly to Rory McEwen because...starting August 5th 2002 when I first approached him re the 2002 June long weekend removal of teacher Glyn Dorling from St Martins Lutheran School, he repeatedly stated to me and to other parents, both in front of me and separately, that we were "brave" and that he would help us "fix the dysfunctional system"...the dysfunctional 'Child Protection System'...
That is what Rory repeatedly, specifically identified and defined, and promised to help us "fix"...a system that was failing to do the one thing it was supposed to... protect children.
Rory identified this 'Dysfunctional System' to us in August 2002, and then in December 2002 he signed onto the Labor Gravy Train, was duly rewarded with dodgy land deals and a front bench salary...(and superannuation-Ed)...and immmediately shredded his promise to help us, choosing instead to attack, denigrate, and slander us, and help the Lutherans and Rann Labor government Cover-Up the abuse of our children.
I'll believe that there is justice in South Australia when, under Victims of Crime legislation, Rory McEwen's superannuation is payed directly into a Trust Account to subsidise professional Counselling for abuse victims and their families...oh, and Rory is jailed for his corruption and criminality...
"Neither is going to happen" say you...fair enough...this entire blog is about what I believe and what I want...and reality is there amongst it somewhere.
Mike Rann was/is the man...(and you use the term 'man' advisedly, right?-Ed)...right...whom is ultimately responsible for St Martins and everything else since...He blocked appropriate investigation of St Martins by Comm Mullighan; repeatedly, literally walked out of parliament in the middle of questions about St Martins; and flatly refused to meet with parents or even answer our multiple letters...
Had he addressed the St Martins Issue appropriately, it as absolutely reasonable to suggest these latest abuses could not and therefore would not have happened.
We as parents wrote to everybody, liaised with everybody, specifically identified to everybody, to every politician we could find, to every authority, eg, SAPol, the Teachers Registration Board, the Directop of Public Prosecutions, over and over, for more than decade, the gross failings of the 'Child Protection System'.
Over and over and over again, we clearly identified the glaring loopholes, the almost total lack of inter-departmental notification, the abject un-accountability of the Lutherans, etc, etc, etc...
We have forced a TRB/Crown Solicitor Office hearing into Glyn Dorling, and then a parliamentary Statutory Authorities Review Committee Inquiry into the TRB that ran for three years, etc, etc, etc, blah, blah. blah...
The SARC Inquiry (Report no. 54) supposedly identified and addressed all of these problems of inter-departmental non-notification, and I maintain that the attached alleged 'Notification Documents' did not exist prior to the SARC Inquiry, and look to have been specifically drafted to attach to Report no. 54, to make it look like there was some sort of organised system where none existed.
I completely reject the idea that 1) these current failures are anything other than deliberate outcomes from a 'System' deliberately designed to facilitate such Cover-Ups, and 2) the failures of those involved are genuine incompetence as opposed to deliberate acts.
I completely reject this nonsense that Jay Weatherill's senior adviser Mr Blewett "can't remember" who he sent an email to re the After School Care Abuse Issue, and/or that he didn't notify then Education Minister Jay Weatherill...
Because this is stating to drag out, and there are still several major issues to cover, I shall do DeBelle Ends Pt 5.
There is nothing that comes out of the State Labor Party, Rory included, that can be taken on face value. It is not just my cynicism that makes them so difficult to believe... it is their defined propensity for lying on the floor of parliament, and blaming everybody else up to and including parents, if that's what needs to be done.
I'll say it one last time... If Rory McEwen, Mike Rann, Commissioner Mulligan, Michael Atkinson, Jay Weatherill, Jane Lomax-Smith, et al, acted upon the information that we as parents repeatedly provided them since 2002, then many of these 'loop-holes' would have been closed and/or addressed many years ago, and these latest abuses need never have happened.
It is not flippant or glib to state that in 2013 it is a farcically intolerable situation that a child can be raped, the perpetrator jailed, and yet every other family immediately affected is kept in the dark, and those parents that do know bear the weight of responsibility, both of knowing and of then not being able to notify.
I gave a quiet cheer when I heard that one of the parents involved (name withheld), bailed up Premier Weatherill at a public function, and when interviewed on ABC Radio stated that she had every intention of doing it again and again... go hard, you good thing.
Tomorrow: Some Housekeeping - Health Service Cuts and Forestry Issues.
I am Nick Fletcher, and this is my blog.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Mt Gambier Council Passes Budget...Surprise...
Hello Czech Republic, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, and Vietnam...whilst this post inevitably runs over old ground, the issues are the issues, and these latest twists and turns require some re-explanation.
Don't know what it's like where you are, but here in Mt Gambier it's 6am, it's dark, it's damn cold, and it's very wet, with wind gusts to 50-60 kph, peaking at 90kph...and I know it isn't a blizzard or a flood (although there has been some isolated flooding due to blocked drains, low ground, etc), but it is certainly enough to render the Council's $250,000 Bus Shelter absolutely useless.
But Council knew that when they built it...it was never about offering appropriate cover to passengers, etc...it was/is all about the Rail Lands Retail Agenda as covered in previous posts. And if you include the previous $100,000 metal 'shelter' and 'open to the weather' toilet block, located on the opposite side of the car park to the new shelter, Council has blown $350,000 on useless infrastructure at the wrong site...all to satisfy the wants of a few vested interests.
Because the shelter pillars are right next to the roadside, drivers are forced to park their buses at certain positions/angles so they can get their passenger door and cargo bay doors open simultaneously...the glass panelling further clutters the area immediate to the bus, whilst offering no genuine protection from the weather...atrocious, thoughtless design...cluttered and yet completely open to the Southerly squalls...it's an absolute joke...a $250,000 joke....with no discernible punchline...
And this is where 'railing against corruption' becomes not my choice, but an inevitable consequence of engaging with the issues, with Council, with the Labor government, etc.
The damage that has been done to Mt Gambier by a handful of people obsessed with their own benefit and profiteering...people who clearly don't care about anyone else...don't care about who gets left standing in the rain...or whose business fails because of their stupidity and selfishness.
Congratulations particularly to former Council CEO Greg Muller...you and your greed, you and your arrogance, you and your selfishness, you and your criminality...you have rooted Mt Gambier and it may well never recover...how can it?
The damage is done, the buildings built, the massive debt accrued, the expense ongoing and escalating, and all the money either spent, syphoned off or simply stolen...that $350,000 that Greg Muller misappropriated/defrauded/stole/whatevs in late 2011 has yet to be recovered...indeed City Council doesn't seem the least bit interested...(previous posts)
And of course Greg Muller remains at the centre of the web, an alleged 'consultant' but an actual paid 'employee' of Council, adding how many decimal points to the latest Council approved rate-rise?
And just listening to Ian McDonnell of the NF McDonnell Timber Mill (on ABC Radio) talking about how they're going to do an $11million expansion and how great that is for them and their employees, etc...just charming...that expansion is being directly funded by taxpayers via the recent $4.3million that the Labor state government have just handed NF McDonnell...and their special log contract deals...special deals for special mates of the Weatherill Labor government...sickening...please see previous posts re The Judas Goat of South East Forestry.
It is not inappropriate to compare this $4.3million gift to NF McDonnell with the much criticised government financial support for Holdens car production in Adelaide, and the justifications about the importance of manufacturing, associated supplier jobs, etc...
And I know that I'm digressing a bit, and I know that I'm venting a bit, but the facts are the facts and it is this sort of official malfeasance and conspiratorial collusion that cripples socially responsible and economically beneficial development...(and really pisses you off, yeah?-Ed)...yes, exactly...a very few get together to make sure they all benefit, and the rest wear the fall-out.
I haven't imagined the reality of what has happened with Ian McDonnell and Greg Muller, nor have I sort to in anyway misrepresent the facts as I understand them...and the facts are the facts...
Ian McDonnell was a member of the Forestry Roundtable, a critical cog in the machinations of deceit and manipulation, that was specifically formed to stifle, dilute, and dismantle organised opposition to the Forestry Sale. His company has since received multiple beneficial concessions, eg, log supply security that far exceed others; receiving $4.3million from a pool of $8.6million...
Greg Muller spent/took/gave/misappropriated...whatever...nearly $350,000 of Council money - ratepayers money - in late 2011, allegedly for 'items' related to the then soon to be opened Main Corner Project, and expenditure of those monies was not approved by Council...this was raised in Council by a Councillor.
These are realities, I am not just trying to be sensationalist or controversial...if a could find a politer word than 'corrupt' I would...I may well be venting, but I am certainly not 'inventing'...(nice-Ed)...
And now City Council has made all the noises, done all the dances, tooted all the horns, rung all the bells, and payed relentless, vacuous lip-service to 'Public Consultation' re the 2013/14 Budget.
They have gone through all the motions with absolutely no intention of doing anything other than what they wanted in the first instance.
Please review previous posts (eg, CBC parts various) about the conduct of the Consultation Process and the conduct of the Councillors involved, including Mayor Steve Perryman's extraordinary bullying and harassment toward me...Epic Fail.
Council originally flagged the Old Hospital, the Rail Lands, the Caroline Land Fill Cell, (and in part the Main St refurbishment) as reasons for needing to double their borrowing capacity, with a subsequent rate rise of 6.9%.
After five 'Public Consultation Meetings' and three 'Formal Meetings', Council has approved all of it with a slight rate drop (to 6.1%) and the Rail Lands gets money taken off that and spread over two years...despite the $1.7million that the State government has suddenly 'granted' to Mt Gambier for this project.
So the borrowing goes on, the rates go up, and everything that Council wanted to do they have done...and all the while congratulating each other for how much they have 'listened to the community'...bollocks...
And The Border Watch has been right in the thick of it, relentlessly manipulating the debate in Council's favour, playing down the extensive public opposition with praise for Council listening, etc, and then virtually ignoring the issue until the final announcement that gets a tiny article at the bottom of page three, Thusday 4th July 2013 (sorry no copy, scanner down).
This is massive news that guarantees massive, cumulative rate rises for Mt Gambier residents that will impact ratepayers for the next decade and probably longer, and it gets a tiny story not even on the front page.
As I say, please review my previous posts about the conduct of this entire matter...just another kick in the teeth for Mt Gambier courtesy of a rogue Council obsessed but hardly inspired...I don't know what else you can call it but corrupt...appropriate objective process completely subjugated to personal agendas...
I repeat...how can Council be allowed to continue in this fashion, spending money that isn't theirs, that they don't have, on things they can't afford, all off the back of the rank corruption and extraordinary conduct of the Library and Main Corner developments...where has all the money gone?...don't know, don't care...let's borrow some more and spend that.
Oooo it makes me mad.
Tomorrow: DeBelle Ends Part IV - Where's Rory McEwen and Mike Rann
How can we have a discussion about the pro-paedophile nature of Government, Executive, and Judiciary in South Australia, and the stunning, weekly revelations of cover-up upon cover-up, of abuse upon abuse, and not include two of the main players...
In most contexts, the scum rises...in South Australia it gets a diplomatic position overseas...that or just disappears...for a little while...and so Rory rides again, apparently much welcomed adviser to Nationals candidate for the seat of Barker, Mr Miles Hannemann...(oh dear god-Ed)...quite...one can only assume that Mr Hannemann has no idea who Rory is and just how much he is loathed in the seat of Barker.
I am Nick Fletcher and this is my blog...laters...
Don't know what it's like where you are, but here in Mt Gambier it's 6am, it's dark, it's damn cold, and it's very wet, with wind gusts to 50-60 kph, peaking at 90kph...and I know it isn't a blizzard or a flood (although there has been some isolated flooding due to blocked drains, low ground, etc), but it is certainly enough to render the Council's $250,000 Bus Shelter absolutely useless.
But Council knew that when they built it...it was never about offering appropriate cover to passengers, etc...it was/is all about the Rail Lands Retail Agenda as covered in previous posts. And if you include the previous $100,000 metal 'shelter' and 'open to the weather' toilet block, located on the opposite side of the car park to the new shelter, Council has blown $350,000 on useless infrastructure at the wrong site...all to satisfy the wants of a few vested interests.
Because the shelter pillars are right next to the roadside, drivers are forced to park their buses at certain positions/angles so they can get their passenger door and cargo bay doors open simultaneously...the glass panelling further clutters the area immediate to the bus, whilst offering no genuine protection from the weather...atrocious, thoughtless design...cluttered and yet completely open to the Southerly squalls...it's an absolute joke...a $250,000 joke....with no discernible punchline...
And this is where 'railing against corruption' becomes not my choice, but an inevitable consequence of engaging with the issues, with Council, with the Labor government, etc.
The damage that has been done to Mt Gambier by a handful of people obsessed with their own benefit and profiteering...people who clearly don't care about anyone else...don't care about who gets left standing in the rain...or whose business fails because of their stupidity and selfishness.
Congratulations particularly to former Council CEO Greg Muller...you and your greed, you and your arrogance, you and your selfishness, you and your criminality...you have rooted Mt Gambier and it may well never recover...how can it?
The damage is done, the buildings built, the massive debt accrued, the expense ongoing and escalating, and all the money either spent, syphoned off or simply stolen...that $350,000 that Greg Muller misappropriated/defrauded/stole/whatevs in late 2011 has yet to be recovered...indeed City Council doesn't seem the least bit interested...(previous posts)
And of course Greg Muller remains at the centre of the web, an alleged 'consultant' but an actual paid 'employee' of Council, adding how many decimal points to the latest Council approved rate-rise?
And just listening to Ian McDonnell of the NF McDonnell Timber Mill (on ABC Radio) talking about how they're going to do an $11million expansion and how great that is for them and their employees, etc...just charming...that expansion is being directly funded by taxpayers via the recent $4.3million that the Labor state government have just handed NF McDonnell...and their special log contract deals...special deals for special mates of the Weatherill Labor government...sickening...please see previous posts re The Judas Goat of South East Forestry.
It is not inappropriate to compare this $4.3million gift to NF McDonnell with the much criticised government financial support for Holdens car production in Adelaide, and the justifications about the importance of manufacturing, associated supplier jobs, etc...
And I know that I'm digressing a bit, and I know that I'm venting a bit, but the facts are the facts and it is this sort of official malfeasance and conspiratorial collusion that cripples socially responsible and economically beneficial development...(and really pisses you off, yeah?-Ed)...yes, exactly...a very few get together to make sure they all benefit, and the rest wear the fall-out.
I haven't imagined the reality of what has happened with Ian McDonnell and Greg Muller, nor have I sort to in anyway misrepresent the facts as I understand them...and the facts are the facts...
Ian McDonnell was a member of the Forestry Roundtable, a critical cog in the machinations of deceit and manipulation, that was specifically formed to stifle, dilute, and dismantle organised opposition to the Forestry Sale. His company has since received multiple beneficial concessions, eg, log supply security that far exceed others; receiving $4.3million from a pool of $8.6million...
Greg Muller spent/took/gave/misappropriated...whatever...nearly $350,000 of Council money - ratepayers money - in late 2011, allegedly for 'items' related to the then soon to be opened Main Corner Project, and expenditure of those monies was not approved by Council...this was raised in Council by a Councillor.
These are realities, I am not just trying to be sensationalist or controversial...if a could find a politer word than 'corrupt' I would...I may well be venting, but I am certainly not 'inventing'...(nice-Ed)...
And now City Council has made all the noises, done all the dances, tooted all the horns, rung all the bells, and payed relentless, vacuous lip-service to 'Public Consultation' re the 2013/14 Budget.
They have gone through all the motions with absolutely no intention of doing anything other than what they wanted in the first instance.
Please review previous posts (eg, CBC parts various) about the conduct of the Consultation Process and the conduct of the Councillors involved, including Mayor Steve Perryman's extraordinary bullying and harassment toward me...Epic Fail.
Council originally flagged the Old Hospital, the Rail Lands, the Caroline Land Fill Cell, (and in part the Main St refurbishment) as reasons for needing to double their borrowing capacity, with a subsequent rate rise of 6.9%.
After five 'Public Consultation Meetings' and three 'Formal Meetings', Council has approved all of it with a slight rate drop (to 6.1%) and the Rail Lands gets money taken off that and spread over two years...despite the $1.7million that the State government has suddenly 'granted' to Mt Gambier for this project.
So the borrowing goes on, the rates go up, and everything that Council wanted to do they have done...and all the while congratulating each other for how much they have 'listened to the community'...bollocks...
And The Border Watch has been right in the thick of it, relentlessly manipulating the debate in Council's favour, playing down the extensive public opposition with praise for Council listening, etc, and then virtually ignoring the issue until the final announcement that gets a tiny article at the bottom of page three, Thusday 4th July 2013 (sorry no copy, scanner down).
This is massive news that guarantees massive, cumulative rate rises for Mt Gambier residents that will impact ratepayers for the next decade and probably longer, and it gets a tiny story not even on the front page.
As I say, please review my previous posts about the conduct of this entire matter...just another kick in the teeth for Mt Gambier courtesy of a rogue Council obsessed but hardly inspired...I don't know what else you can call it but corrupt...appropriate objective process completely subjugated to personal agendas...
I repeat...how can Council be allowed to continue in this fashion, spending money that isn't theirs, that they don't have, on things they can't afford, all off the back of the rank corruption and extraordinary conduct of the Library and Main Corner developments...where has all the money gone?...don't know, don't care...let's borrow some more and spend that.
Oooo it makes me mad.
Tomorrow: DeBelle Ends Part IV - Where's Rory McEwen and Mike Rann
How can we have a discussion about the pro-paedophile nature of Government, Executive, and Judiciary in South Australia, and the stunning, weekly revelations of cover-up upon cover-up, of abuse upon abuse, and not include two of the main players...
In most contexts, the scum rises...in South Australia it gets a diplomatic position overseas...that or just disappears...for a little while...and so Rory rides again, apparently much welcomed adviser to Nationals candidate for the seat of Barker, Mr Miles Hannemann...(oh dear god-Ed)...quite...one can only assume that Mr Hannemann has no idea who Rory is and just how much he is loathed in the seat of Barker.
I am Nick Fletcher and this is my blog...laters...
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Debelle Ends Part III - Just The Beginning
Hello Russia, China, Canada...but no Panama today...so sad...and Happy Birthday USof A...and thankyou for notifications, feedback, etc...excuse my lack of 'Netiquette' if I do not specifically respond...but while I've got you, just a thought...how many countries' names end with an 'a'...South Africa, Ghana, Austria, Kenya, Zambia, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina...sounds like Edward Snowden's shopping list....(bazinga...and what about words that end with 'Nick'?-Ed)...oh yeah...
Manic, cynic, demonic, satanic, moronic, chronic, etc...and the names you can make from Nicholas Fletcher, eg, Tinbum Letcher...ahhh, it's all good clean fun...unlike the Dobelle Inquiry...that's just a farcical filling keeping layers of multiple cover-ups apart in an enormous Corruption Sandwich.
As I started to say yesterday before I was so rudely interrupted by me walking out on my own blog...(how's that done then?-Ed)...the Debelle Inquiry has taken over six months and $1million to come up with an official report about the bleedin' obvious and identify that which is already known...and the direct similarities between this 'Report' and the St Martins Lutheran School Child Abuse Cover-up are legion and un-deniable.
The Debelle Inquiry stemmed from the December 2010 jailing of an After School Care Director for raping an 8 year old child in his care, and the subsequent cover-up of that jailing by the Education Dept, meaning that other abuses that he committed against other children were also covered-up, and the parents and/or School Council were directly threatened by Education Department officials to keep the matter 'confidential' and not tell other parents...and then the Council/parents get blamed for this cover-up, etc...check it out on the web and my previous posts.
And one of those officials is former Mount Gambier High School Principal, Gary Costello. I refer to previous posts re Gary Costello's involvement in both the St Martins Issue and this current Issue.
The Debelle Inquiry has simply 'officially' identified that which was already known, and only criticised those officials whom were already known to be involved and should probaly be jailed, including Premier Jay Weatheill's personal staffers, but falls well short of actually resolving anything.
Jay Weatherill has already defended his staffers Simon Blewett and Jadynne Harvey (who both had knowledge of the specific incident that triggered the Debelle Inquiry) and literally everyone else involved, particularly MP Grace Portolesi...but has criticised and blamed the Education Department as being completely incompetent...but still nobody held to account.
And then announcements about how the Education Dept is going to do a thorough 'Review' and blah, blah, blah...another 'Review'...another 'Inquiry'...it's all 'unfortunate but understandable mistakes and systemic failures' and 'we'll sort it all out'...I do not apologise for being absolutely cynical about this latest 'Review'.
And the Weatherill state government has announced sweeping new changes and new legislation, eg, GPS tracking (by SAPol) of convicted child abusers who are on parole, etc...(maybe they could use those four spy drones they're getting-Ed)... tightening Mandatory Notification statutes, tougher Police checks and other screening on people seeking to work with children, and similar registration/screening for people driving hire cars and taxis, etc.
Thankfully, at least one Adelaide Child Abuse academic (apologies, did not catch her name) has been on the ABC Local Radio this morning making the very specific and very accurate observation that you can tighten up laws that deal with screening post conviction, but that does not address the fact that many people evade appropriate policing and prosecution, etc, in the first instance, for many reasons, and therefore many offenders do not have any official histories of child abuse...(with SAPol, the Teachers Registration Board, etc)
She identified the need for a thorough review of effectively the entire Child Protection System 'from the bottom up'.
I refer to teacher Glyn Dorling and the St Martins Issue, and the December 2011 dropping of charges against a bus driver in Adelaide, as obvious examples of cases where the 'alleged' offender has no official history of child abuse...even after being exposed and/or caught...
Her comments did not however include that other screaming reality...if this is what can go on in the Public School system, with all it's alleged oversight and supposed regulation and bloated bureaucracy and alleged accountability, etc, then what can happen in the totally un-accountable realm of the Private School?
The St Martins Lutheran School disaster is exactly what can happen.
And if that can happen...if a 50 year old male teacher can abuse an entire class of 7 year olds, and simply walk away with a massive pay-out from the Lutherans, and families spend the next decade trying to get someone, anyone, to actually do something about it...if that can happen...what else?
The last 24-48 hours has been an avalanche of accusations aimed at, and/or denials from, current
Education Minister Jennifer Rankine across numerous issues...her involvement with various people, eg, her husband Michael Atkinson (previous posts re St Martins and the Crown Solicitor, etc), her creating a job for her mate, and most critically, her abject failure to act when parents approached her in early May 2013 about a man on bail for Child Abuse charges who was working in a private gym.
Jennifer Rankine either refused or failed to help, so parents went to Liberal Education spokesperson David Pisoni, who advised they photograph the person, and supply those photos to SAPol...and the parents did exactly that...photos of him touching a child, handed to SAPol...and the man was immediately re-arrested for breaching bail conditions...
And Jay Weatherill is on the ABC Radio (literally right now) defending her...Ms Rankine apparently allegedly notified the 'Inter Agency Task Force', so the Deputy Police Commissioner allegedly knew...Jennifer Rankine allegedly did everything right...and then more promises about more and/or tighter legislation, prefaced with the statement that they (Labor/politicians) can only do so much.
And all of this is exactly what we parents have been through, been deliberately put through, with the St Martins Issue, for over a decade. We have been screaming, for over a decade, for an appropriate addressing of these multiple and massive failings in the entire 'Child Protection System'.
And we put it all in writing, to all the Authorities, Ministers, the Lutherans, etc, over and over again...and nothing but unfulfilled promises, outright lies, and inevitably attacks on us parents, and particularly me, as being the only genuine problem.
It is no way inappropriate or an exaggeration to suggest that had we been listened to, and our concerns addressed, that these latest abuses would not have taken place.
I must acknowledge that Premier Weatherill's office has contacted me (Tuesday 2nd July 2013) re my statements on ABC Local Radio Late Afternoon program on Monday 1st July (previous post), but I am yet to speak directly with anyone...(is this where you say 'I'll keep you posted, hahaha'-Ed)...nice impersonation, and yes...
Tomorrow: City Council Passes Budget
A hilarious political Review about the Rolling Pantomime of Public Consultation and the Mt Gambier Council's 2013/14 Budget...presented by Business as Usual Productions, and proudly supported by your local vested interests...
And then Debelle Ends Part IV: Where's Mike Rann and Rory McEwen?
You didn't think I'd forgotten you did you Rory?...you are responsible for this horror and you will be held to account...hearing all about your great work with the latest Gravy Train, the 'Fork and Cork Festival'...see you there champ, and Christian Cuddles all round...
I am Nick Fletcher and this is my blog...cheers...
Manic, cynic, demonic, satanic, moronic, chronic, etc...and the names you can make from Nicholas Fletcher, eg, Tinbum Letcher...ahhh, it's all good clean fun...unlike the Dobelle Inquiry...that's just a farcical filling keeping layers of multiple cover-ups apart in an enormous Corruption Sandwich.
As I started to say yesterday before I was so rudely interrupted by me walking out on my own blog...(how's that done then?-Ed)...the Debelle Inquiry has taken over six months and $1million to come up with an official report about the bleedin' obvious and identify that which is already known...and the direct similarities between this 'Report' and the St Martins Lutheran School Child Abuse Cover-up are legion and un-deniable.
The Debelle Inquiry stemmed from the December 2010 jailing of an After School Care Director for raping an 8 year old child in his care, and the subsequent cover-up of that jailing by the Education Dept, meaning that other abuses that he committed against other children were also covered-up, and the parents and/or School Council were directly threatened by Education Department officials to keep the matter 'confidential' and not tell other parents...and then the Council/parents get blamed for this cover-up, etc...check it out on the web and my previous posts.
And one of those officials is former Mount Gambier High School Principal, Gary Costello. I refer to previous posts re Gary Costello's involvement in both the St Martins Issue and this current Issue.
The Debelle Inquiry has simply 'officially' identified that which was already known, and only criticised those officials whom were already known to be involved and should probaly be jailed, including Premier Jay Weatheill's personal staffers, but falls well short of actually resolving anything.
Jay Weatherill has already defended his staffers Simon Blewett and Jadynne Harvey (who both had knowledge of the specific incident that triggered the Debelle Inquiry) and literally everyone else involved, particularly MP Grace Portolesi...but has criticised and blamed the Education Department as being completely incompetent...but still nobody held to account.
And then announcements about how the Education Dept is going to do a thorough 'Review' and blah, blah, blah...another 'Review'...another 'Inquiry'...it's all 'unfortunate but understandable mistakes and systemic failures' and 'we'll sort it all out'...I do not apologise for being absolutely cynical about this latest 'Review'.
And the Weatherill state government has announced sweeping new changes and new legislation, eg, GPS tracking (by SAPol) of convicted child abusers who are on parole, etc...(maybe they could use those four spy drones they're getting-Ed)... tightening Mandatory Notification statutes, tougher Police checks and other screening on people seeking to work with children, and similar registration/screening for people driving hire cars and taxis, etc.
Thankfully, at least one Adelaide Child Abuse academic (apologies, did not catch her name) has been on the ABC Local Radio this morning making the very specific and very accurate observation that you can tighten up laws that deal with screening post conviction, but that does not address the fact that many people evade appropriate policing and prosecution, etc, in the first instance, for many reasons, and therefore many offenders do not have any official histories of child abuse...(with SAPol, the Teachers Registration Board, etc)
She identified the need for a thorough review of effectively the entire Child Protection System 'from the bottom up'.
I refer to teacher Glyn Dorling and the St Martins Issue, and the December 2011 dropping of charges against a bus driver in Adelaide, as obvious examples of cases where the 'alleged' offender has no official history of child abuse...even after being exposed and/or caught...
Her comments did not however include that other screaming reality...if this is what can go on in the Public School system, with all it's alleged oversight and supposed regulation and bloated bureaucracy and alleged accountability, etc, then what can happen in the totally un-accountable realm of the Private School?
The St Martins Lutheran School disaster is exactly what can happen.
And if that can happen...if a 50 year old male teacher can abuse an entire class of 7 year olds, and simply walk away with a massive pay-out from the Lutherans, and families spend the next decade trying to get someone, anyone, to actually do something about it...if that can happen...what else?
The last 24-48 hours has been an avalanche of accusations aimed at, and/or denials from, current
Education Minister Jennifer Rankine across numerous issues...her involvement with various people, eg, her husband Michael Atkinson (previous posts re St Martins and the Crown Solicitor, etc), her creating a job for her mate, and most critically, her abject failure to act when parents approached her in early May 2013 about a man on bail for Child Abuse charges who was working in a private gym.
Jennifer Rankine either refused or failed to help, so parents went to Liberal Education spokesperson David Pisoni, who advised they photograph the person, and supply those photos to SAPol...and the parents did exactly that...photos of him touching a child, handed to SAPol...and the man was immediately re-arrested for breaching bail conditions...
And Jay Weatherill is on the ABC Radio (literally right now) defending her...Ms Rankine apparently allegedly notified the 'Inter Agency Task Force', so the Deputy Police Commissioner allegedly knew...Jennifer Rankine allegedly did everything right...and then more promises about more and/or tighter legislation, prefaced with the statement that they (Labor/politicians) can only do so much.
And all of this is exactly what we parents have been through, been deliberately put through, with the St Martins Issue, for over a decade. We have been screaming, for over a decade, for an appropriate addressing of these multiple and massive failings in the entire 'Child Protection System'.
And we put it all in writing, to all the Authorities, Ministers, the Lutherans, etc, over and over again...and nothing but unfulfilled promises, outright lies, and inevitably attacks on us parents, and particularly me, as being the only genuine problem.
It is no way inappropriate or an exaggeration to suggest that had we been listened to, and our concerns addressed, that these latest abuses would not have taken place.
I must acknowledge that Premier Weatherill's office has contacted me (Tuesday 2nd July 2013) re my statements on ABC Local Radio Late Afternoon program on Monday 1st July (previous post), but I am yet to speak directly with anyone...(is this where you say 'I'll keep you posted, hahaha'-Ed)...nice impersonation, and yes...
Tomorrow: City Council Passes Budget
A hilarious political Review about the Rolling Pantomime of Public Consultation and the Mt Gambier Council's 2013/14 Budget...presented by Business as Usual Productions, and proudly supported by your local vested interests...
And then Debelle Ends Part IV: Where's Mike Rann and Rory McEwen?
You didn't think I'd forgotten you did you Rory?...you are responsible for this horror and you will be held to account...hearing all about your great work with the latest Gravy Train, the 'Fork and Cork Festival'...see you there champ, and Christian Cuddles all round...
I am Nick Fletcher and this is my blog...cheers...
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Debelle Ends Part II: The Lies and Abuse Continue
Hello Italy, Japan, Turkey and the Ukraine...welcome to the blog...I do not apologise for today's late blog and I will explain, and I cannot apologise for the tone of today's post because the world does what it does, and it does this...Warning - graphic language re paedophilia...
Warning - Following the arrest and jailing of two men (one Australian, one American) for the false adoption and systematic rape of a young boy, Queensland police are searching for the other men involved in a paedophile 'ring' who have 'shared' the boy amongst them.
The child was bought off a woman in Europe for $8,000, brought to Australia with false paperwork, and was being sexually abused from the the age of two by his 'adopting parents'. I don't know whether these two men are genuinely gay or just posed as a gay couple in order to buy the boy.
The child was allegedly 'given' to other paedophiles to abuse, and these two belonged to a group called 'Boylove', only one of a number of such groups whom apparently belief that raping young boys is something to be celebrated and supported as genuine relationships.
This is the reality of what people are capable of...selling, buying, and raping a 2 year old child...and supplying that child to other paedophiles, and organised paedophile groups with official websites, etc, and I note the extraordinary prevalence of Australians in these organisations and/or cases...or living in Indonesia or the Philippines, etc...
And now the Debelle Inquiry into the rape of an 8 year old in After School Care by the Care Director, has taken 7 months and a $1million to find
I leave that last sentence now as I left it at 10am this morning (it's now 8.30pm) when I literally walked out the door and went fishing...with my child...we saw some emus and lots of dead roos...but no fish...
I don't apologise for how badly this relentless parade of abuse and Rann/Weatherill Labor government lies and cover-ups affects me...how easily it can strip another day from me...and I refuse to let it...
And so instead I just got outta town for the day...enjoyed the absolute luxury of getting in my little car, with ma dawg...das ist mein hund und das ist mein wagon...(is that German or something?-Ed)...hopefully German and possibly something...with the wunderkind...and away...
Please view the Channel 7 Adelaide Today Tonight program from yesterday 2nd June 2013 about current Education Minister Jennifer Rankine, her husband former Attorney-General and now Speaker of the Lower House Michael Atkinson, and various others. (I missed it but I've been told all about it and will watch on-line.)
Then review my posts about Michael Atkinson and the St Martins Lutheran School Child Abuse Cover-up and his actions as Attorney General and the actions of his department and understand that he is at the heart of the paedophile nightmare in Adelaide.
I do apologise for my failure today, because that's what it was, and this rather average post, because that's what it is, but please understand that for me personally it was not just what I needed to do, but a deliberate act to reclaim a day that I felt was completely lost to me...and, well...here I am again...Post On mofos...
All that crap about a man's gotta know his limitations, etc, rang so true and so loud for me today...ask not for whom the bell tolls...today it was for me...today it was me, banging my head against the same old coal face and it takes it's tithe, it's toll, it's pound of flesh...(hmmmm, his face rings a bell-Ed)...ahahaha...
Tomorrow: Debelle Ends Part III - It's Just The Beginning
And back on the hobby horse, and possibly a second post re City Council...last night they took less than 10 minutes to ratify their rate increases and increased borrowing, with increased base payment, reduced services, etc...and weren't afraid to congratulate themselves for raising rates to only 6.1% instead of 6.9%...but no-ones fooled...not that it makes any difference...the damage is done...
I am still Nick Fletcher and this is my blog...onward and upward groovers...laters...
Warning - Following the arrest and jailing of two men (one Australian, one American) for the false adoption and systematic rape of a young boy, Queensland police are searching for the other men involved in a paedophile 'ring' who have 'shared' the boy amongst them.
The child was bought off a woman in Europe for $8,000, brought to Australia with false paperwork, and was being sexually abused from the the age of two by his 'adopting parents'. I don't know whether these two men are genuinely gay or just posed as a gay couple in order to buy the boy.
The child was allegedly 'given' to other paedophiles to abuse, and these two belonged to a group called 'Boylove', only one of a number of such groups whom apparently belief that raping young boys is something to be celebrated and supported as genuine relationships.
This is the reality of what people are capable of...selling, buying, and raping a 2 year old child...and supplying that child to other paedophiles, and organised paedophile groups with official websites, etc, and I note the extraordinary prevalence of Australians in these organisations and/or cases...or living in Indonesia or the Philippines, etc...
And now the Debelle Inquiry into the rape of an 8 year old in After School Care by the Care Director, has taken 7 months and a $1million to find
I leave that last sentence now as I left it at 10am this morning (it's now 8.30pm) when I literally walked out the door and went fishing...with my child...we saw some emus and lots of dead roos...but no fish...
I don't apologise for how badly this relentless parade of abuse and Rann/Weatherill Labor government lies and cover-ups affects me...how easily it can strip another day from me...and I refuse to let it...
And so instead I just got outta town for the day...enjoyed the absolute luxury of getting in my little car, with ma dawg...das ist mein hund und das ist mein wagon...(is that German or something?-Ed)...hopefully German and possibly something...with the wunderkind...and away...
Please view the Channel 7 Adelaide Today Tonight program from yesterday 2nd June 2013 about current Education Minister Jennifer Rankine, her husband former Attorney-General and now Speaker of the Lower House Michael Atkinson, and various others. (I missed it but I've been told all about it and will watch on-line.)
Then review my posts about Michael Atkinson and the St Martins Lutheran School Child Abuse Cover-up and his actions as Attorney General and the actions of his department and understand that he is at the heart of the paedophile nightmare in Adelaide.
I do apologise for my failure today, because that's what it was, and this rather average post, because that's what it is, but please understand that for me personally it was not just what I needed to do, but a deliberate act to reclaim a day that I felt was completely lost to me...and, well...here I am again...Post On mofos...
All that crap about a man's gotta know his limitations, etc, rang so true and so loud for me today...ask not for whom the bell tolls...today it was for me...today it was me, banging my head against the same old coal face and it takes it's tithe, it's toll, it's pound of flesh...(hmmmm, his face rings a bell-Ed)...ahahaha...
Tomorrow: Debelle Ends Part III - It's Just The Beginning
And back on the hobby horse, and possibly a second post re City Council...last night they took less than 10 minutes to ratify their rate increases and increased borrowing, with increased base payment, reduced services, etc...and weren't afraid to congratulate themselves for raising rates to only 6.1% instead of 6.9%...but no-ones fooled...not that it makes any difference...the damage is done...
I am still Nick Fletcher and this is my blog...onward and upward groovers...laters...
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Debelle Ends: Latest SA Child Abuse Inquiry Concludes
And I must acknowledge that that little bazinga comes courtesy of my child...cheers big ears...(bazinga?...I don't get it-Ed)...'Bell end' is a euphemism for a penis...(oh...hehehe-Ed)...I think it sums up perfectly all those officials involved.
Just another report about that which could no longer be hidden...and there will be mass chest-beating and exaggerated, animated hair-pulling, and wailing and moaning from Premier Jay Weatherill and the Labor state government and 'the Education Department must act on this "sobering" litany of failures', etc, etc, blah, blah, blah...but first...
Hello Vietnam, the Netherlands, Canada, Pakistan, the Philippines and France...and even if you're not reading this in Arizona, USofA, you are still in our thoughts. The death of 19 firefighters in a bushfire in Arizona has brought into sharp focus the dangers of fighting any fire, and the issue of insurance and health cover for volunteers with the Country Fire Service here in South Australia.
Given that all the ground work has been done in establishing a register of a dozen Cancers (and other associated illnesses?-I'm not sure) for which Metropolitan Fire Service workers will be 'covered if contracted' then it would be simple to apply those same 'rules' to volunteers.
There is no way to accurately calculate just exactly how much CFS volunteers contribute to our society, but it is a given, as far as I'm concerned, that they should be afforded every protection and every insurance...and that includes the security of knowing that if you contract Cancer from helping to protect your community in such a dangerous context, then we have your back.
In the terrible fires through Tasmania recently, and just before that through Victoria, many buildings, homes, sheds, etc, were raised and the detritus borne on the ferocious winds associated with any bushfire. What contaminants, particularly Asbestos, have been spread into the environment where volunteer firefighters are exposed?
In the Australia I want to live in, we look after each other, particularly those who literally risk their lives looking after us, and that means including 'Health Cover' for fire-fighting volunteers...end of story.
Yesterday I had the very genuine and distinct pleasure of being wrong...well, wrongish. I was not joking in previous posts when I said that I write many things hoping to be wrong...and sometimes things just happen to prove me wrong...the more the merrier as far as I'm concerned...
In previous posts I have been politely brutal about endorsed Liberal candidate for the 'safe' federal seat of Barker, Mr Tony Pasin...(politely?...I don't think that implied inference of and/or eluding to doggy-do is a polite brutalness...it's just unprofessional abuse-Ed)...yes, fair point, and I agree that base personal abuse achieves nothing, and that there are many places in this blog where I am venting, albeit driven by realities not of my creation...
So it is that credit must be given to Mr Pasin, Victorian Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, and 'Peter's Project' instigator Mrs Vicki Jellie for the small meeting Mr Pasin organised yesterday about the improvements in Cancer services available in Warnambool (now and in the near future) due to the efforts of 'Peter's Project'.
Mrs Jellie is to be congratulated for her courage following the death of her husband Peter, and for how she has applied herself to addressing the tragic realities of Cancer, and the positives she has created...well done that lady.
Mr Pasin and Mr Tehan are to be congratulated for helping to promote the 'Project' and the issue of Cancer treatments in general. Mr Pasin politely identifies the gross failure of state and federal governments, Labor and Liberal, in The Border Watch Friday 28th June, when he says;
"Radiotherapy treatment facilities in Warrnambool may provide treatment closer to home
for many patients from Mount Gambier and elsewhere in the lower South East."
At this point in time, the Labor state government has still yet to 'negotiate' the lease conditions with the building's owner, that will allow the alleged $28million expansion of the Mt Gambier Hospital, and as identified by Mr Pasin, there are very limited chemotherapy treatments available in Mt Gambier, no MRI, no radiotherapy, and only a 'part-time' visiting oncologist.
I believe that Mr Pasin, in both his comments and organising this forum, is quietly acknowledging the harsh realities...improved health services in Western Victoria are the best (and likely only) hope that South East residents will have in being able to access said services in this region, and therefore not having to go all the way to Adelaide (450kms one way).
I maintain that the South East has been written off, pretty much across the board, by government at all levels, and health services are just a litmus paper for that abandonment. The repeated Labor promise (2006 and again 2010 state elections) for a stand alone 12 bed Mental Health facility has simply faded away...it ain't gonna' happen...
Peter's Project is contactable via their website www.petersproject.org.au or 0439 000 935...check them out.
And wrong twice...having just sort of whinged lengthily about the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in yesterday's post, and outright criticised them in others, yesterday I was quietly stunned to be put to air on the ABC Drive program from Adelaide, broadcasting across the state, to effectively confront Premier Jay Weatherill about the St Martins Lutheran School Child Abuse issue. (previous posts)
Mr Weatherill was speaking about the Debelle Inquiry into the rape of an 8 year old and the abuse of several other children, and how that was so grossly mis-handled by various authorities upto and including the then Minister for Education (Weatherill's) personal staff, the Premier himself, Minister Grace Portolesi, etc, and started to blame the Department of Education for Grace Portolesi lying about the case on the floor of Parliament.
I rang only to make the point that in the case that I had been involved in for a decade, Mr Weatherill had been personally notified about the situation by my letters, (and of course he knows via the Mullighan Inquiry-previous posts) and that it was unacceptable to blame others for what he is responsible for.
I'll say it again...I was stunned that the producer, with a polite reminder to not use any names, put me to air.
After expressing my disappointment with Mr Weatherill blaming others, I identified myself and my involvement 'for over a decade in a high profile case here in Mt Gambier', and explained about writing to him personally...I was overcome with emotion and my voice started to crack...but no swearing, no names...just 'you know about this case'...
At that point the producer 'ended' my spiel (but not in a 'cut off' way, just a 'times up' way...there is a massive difference) and I spoke for several seconds thinking I was still on. Mr Weatherill responded something about letting him know, contact his office, but I clearly heard him say 'I don't recall that case' (paraphrase)..and this was confirmed to me by the ABC...
I cannot provide a direct word perfect quote because I was talking to the producer after my bit (Mr Weatherill's office was on the phone to them for my details) so I missed much of his response, so I won't risk it, but Premier Jay Weatherill clearly said, on statewide ABC Radio, that he didn't remember the St Martins Child Abuse issue.
Please review my previous posts re Commissioner Mullighan and the St Martins Issue, and when parliament sat in Mt Gambier in May 2005 and MP Peter Lewis twice raised the issue, etc, etc...all things that Mr Weatherill was/is directly involved in...
How could Jay Weatherill possibly forget?
So...genuinely happy to be wrong...well wrongish...and mark my words, I will only work harder to be more wrong about more things...let me predict disaster, and be wrong...let me identify deliberate failure and malfeasance, and be wrong...exactly how many wrongs do make it right?
May what I try to do to set things right, for all my faults and failings, be seen for what it is...but first this...
Tomorrow: Dobelle Ends - Part II - The Inquiry
My rabid cynicism about the Debelle Inquiry stems from a decade of alleged 'Inquiries' into the St Martins Issue and others in South Australia...and Mr Debelle hasn't let me down...and The Advertiser newspaper's coverage doesn't make me any happier, but, and I can't believe that I'm saying this, but buy/access today's (02/07/2013) Adelaide The Advertiser...
I am Nick Fletcher and this is my blog...cheers...
Just another report about that which could no longer be hidden...and there will be mass chest-beating and exaggerated, animated hair-pulling, and wailing and moaning from Premier Jay Weatherill and the Labor state government and 'the Education Department must act on this "sobering" litany of failures', etc, etc, blah, blah, blah...but first...
Hello Vietnam, the Netherlands, Canada, Pakistan, the Philippines and France...and even if you're not reading this in Arizona, USofA, you are still in our thoughts. The death of 19 firefighters in a bushfire in Arizona has brought into sharp focus the dangers of fighting any fire, and the issue of insurance and health cover for volunteers with the Country Fire Service here in South Australia.
Given that all the ground work has been done in establishing a register of a dozen Cancers (and other associated illnesses?-I'm not sure) for which Metropolitan Fire Service workers will be 'covered if contracted' then it would be simple to apply those same 'rules' to volunteers.
There is no way to accurately calculate just exactly how much CFS volunteers contribute to our society, but it is a given, as far as I'm concerned, that they should be afforded every protection and every insurance...and that includes the security of knowing that if you contract Cancer from helping to protect your community in such a dangerous context, then we have your back.
In the terrible fires through Tasmania recently, and just before that through Victoria, many buildings, homes, sheds, etc, were raised and the detritus borne on the ferocious winds associated with any bushfire. What contaminants, particularly Asbestos, have been spread into the environment where volunteer firefighters are exposed?
In the Australia I want to live in, we look after each other, particularly those who literally risk their lives looking after us, and that means including 'Health Cover' for fire-fighting volunteers...end of story.
Yesterday I had the very genuine and distinct pleasure of being wrong...well, wrongish. I was not joking in previous posts when I said that I write many things hoping to be wrong...and sometimes things just happen to prove me wrong...the more the merrier as far as I'm concerned...
In previous posts I have been politely brutal about endorsed Liberal candidate for the 'safe' federal seat of Barker, Mr Tony Pasin...(politely?...I don't think that implied inference of and/or eluding to doggy-do is a polite brutalness...it's just unprofessional abuse-Ed)...yes, fair point, and I agree that base personal abuse achieves nothing, and that there are many places in this blog where I am venting, albeit driven by realities not of my creation...
So it is that credit must be given to Mr Pasin, Victorian Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, and 'Peter's Project' instigator Mrs Vicki Jellie for the small meeting Mr Pasin organised yesterday about the improvements in Cancer services available in Warnambool (now and in the near future) due to the efforts of 'Peter's Project'.
Mrs Jellie is to be congratulated for her courage following the death of her husband Peter, and for how she has applied herself to addressing the tragic realities of Cancer, and the positives she has created...well done that lady.
Mr Pasin and Mr Tehan are to be congratulated for helping to promote the 'Project' and the issue of Cancer treatments in general. Mr Pasin politely identifies the gross failure of state and federal governments, Labor and Liberal, in The Border Watch Friday 28th June, when he says;
"Radiotherapy treatment facilities in Warrnambool may provide treatment closer to home
for many patients from Mount Gambier and elsewhere in the lower South East."
At this point in time, the Labor state government has still yet to 'negotiate' the lease conditions with the building's owner, that will allow the alleged $28million expansion of the Mt Gambier Hospital, and as identified by Mr Pasin, there are very limited chemotherapy treatments available in Mt Gambier, no MRI, no radiotherapy, and only a 'part-time' visiting oncologist.
I believe that Mr Pasin, in both his comments and organising this forum, is quietly acknowledging the harsh realities...improved health services in Western Victoria are the best (and likely only) hope that South East residents will have in being able to access said services in this region, and therefore not having to go all the way to Adelaide (450kms one way).
I maintain that the South East has been written off, pretty much across the board, by government at all levels, and health services are just a litmus paper for that abandonment. The repeated Labor promise (2006 and again 2010 state elections) for a stand alone 12 bed Mental Health facility has simply faded away...it ain't gonna' happen...
Peter's Project is contactable via their website www.petersproject.org.au or 0439 000 935...check them out.
And wrong twice...having just sort of whinged lengthily about the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in yesterday's post, and outright criticised them in others, yesterday I was quietly stunned to be put to air on the ABC Drive program from Adelaide, broadcasting across the state, to effectively confront Premier Jay Weatherill about the St Martins Lutheran School Child Abuse issue. (previous posts)
Mr Weatherill was speaking about the Debelle Inquiry into the rape of an 8 year old and the abuse of several other children, and how that was so grossly mis-handled by various authorities upto and including the then Minister for Education (Weatherill's) personal staff, the Premier himself, Minister Grace Portolesi, etc, and started to blame the Department of Education for Grace Portolesi lying about the case on the floor of Parliament.
I rang only to make the point that in the case that I had been involved in for a decade, Mr Weatherill had been personally notified about the situation by my letters, (and of course he knows via the Mullighan Inquiry-previous posts) and that it was unacceptable to blame others for what he is responsible for.
I'll say it again...I was stunned that the producer, with a polite reminder to not use any names, put me to air.
After expressing my disappointment with Mr Weatherill blaming others, I identified myself and my involvement 'for over a decade in a high profile case here in Mt Gambier', and explained about writing to him personally...I was overcome with emotion and my voice started to crack...but no swearing, no names...just 'you know about this case'...
At that point the producer 'ended' my spiel (but not in a 'cut off' way, just a 'times up' way...there is a massive difference) and I spoke for several seconds thinking I was still on. Mr Weatherill responded something about letting him know, contact his office, but I clearly heard him say 'I don't recall that case' (paraphrase)..and this was confirmed to me by the ABC...
I cannot provide a direct word perfect quote because I was talking to the producer after my bit (Mr Weatherill's office was on the phone to them for my details) so I missed much of his response, so I won't risk it, but Premier Jay Weatherill clearly said, on statewide ABC Radio, that he didn't remember the St Martins Child Abuse issue.
Please review my previous posts re Commissioner Mullighan and the St Martins Issue, and when parliament sat in Mt Gambier in May 2005 and MP Peter Lewis twice raised the issue, etc, etc...all things that Mr Weatherill was/is directly involved in...
How could Jay Weatherill possibly forget?
So...genuinely happy to be wrong...well wrongish...and mark my words, I will only work harder to be more wrong about more things...let me predict disaster, and be wrong...let me identify deliberate failure and malfeasance, and be wrong...exactly how many wrongs do make it right?
May what I try to do to set things right, for all my faults and failings, be seen for what it is...but first this...
Tomorrow: Dobelle Ends - Part II - The Inquiry
My rabid cynicism about the Debelle Inquiry stems from a decade of alleged 'Inquiries' into the St Martins Issue and others in South Australia...and Mr Debelle hasn't let me down...and The Advertiser newspaper's coverage doesn't make me any happier, but, and I can't believe that I'm saying this, but buy/access today's (02/07/2013) Adelaide The Advertiser...
I am Nick Fletcher and this is my blog...cheers...
Monday, July 1, 2013
Rory McEwen Gets Me 'Banned' from ABC Radio July 2011
Following feedback about my 'interactions' with the local media, I have dug out these attached letters about this incident from July 2011...but first...
I forgot to include in yesterday's post the issue of the 'New Cell for the Caroline LandFill Site', which has been cited...(a Cell site cited?...a cited Cell site?-Ed)...yes, that area where the Caroline Rubbish Dump (the Cell) is located (the site), has been repeatedly stated (cited) as one of the three main excuses for Mt Gambier City Council needing to double it's borrowing capacity, as approved in their Meeting in May 2013, part way through the alleged 'Consultation Process'.
(And your point sir?-Ed)...my point is in fact two points...(so not so much a point as a prong-Ed)...indeed...point 1) that Council has failed to plan and therefore save for this, and 2) they have proceeded with the vital decision (to borrow) that allows their Budget plans despite claiming to be doing 'Consultation'.
This 'justification' is clearly and patently untrue and/or a Massive Failure to Plan by Council who must have known for years that this vital piece of infrastructure was due...Council claims this new Cell will last 20-30 years, so why haven't they been saving for 20+ years?
The irrefutable facts are that Council desperately needs to borrow to pay the running costs of the Main Corner and the Library.
But to today's post...and the failed attempt by former alleged Independent but actually Labor MP Rory McEwen, to stop my access to ABC Local Radio.
Please note that the 'contact' and 'development' mentioned in paragraph three of my letter 21st July 2011, was Rory McEwen going to the ABC Studio Mt Gambier to complain about me and my comments.
Rory did not lodge a written or even an official complaint, but went to the ABC Studio, and then 'went to a cafe for a chat' with his close personal friend Alan Richardson. For all I know that 'conversation' was more threat than request.
Please also note that I contacted Alan first and tried to cut him some slack by not specifically mentioning the outrageous 'cafe chat' above, which Alan himself explained to me in our phone conversation 20th July 2011.
I believed at the time that Rory had used his friendship with Alan to manipulate him into an unacceptable breach of appropriate process...the now aptly named 'Misappropriated Loyalties'...Rory didn't care who he hurt or compromised to get what he wanted...to get me...and Alan was dragged into it by the scruff of his friendship.
Please find attached Alan's letter 20/07/11 re our conversation, my letter in response 21/07/11, and the concluding letter from the ABC's Mark Maley 5th September 2011, nearly seven weeks later...seven weeks I was effectively banned off the ABC because Rory took his mate for a coffee and a whinge...
Tomorrow: Kevin Rudd and the new Labor Cabinet
The floundering Labor ship is sitting a little higher in the water as more rats desert, but is the K-man still shuffling deck chairs?...all this and probaly not much more...I am Nick Fletcher and this here blog is the one genuinely independent news source originating in Mt Gambier...cheers.
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I forgot to include in yesterday's post the issue of the 'New Cell for the Caroline LandFill Site', which has been cited...(a Cell site cited?...a cited Cell site?-Ed)...yes, that area where the Caroline Rubbish Dump (the Cell) is located (the site), has been repeatedly stated (cited) as one of the three main excuses for Mt Gambier City Council needing to double it's borrowing capacity, as approved in their Meeting in May 2013, part way through the alleged 'Consultation Process'.
(And your point sir?-Ed)...my point is in fact two points...(so not so much a point as a prong-Ed)...indeed...point 1) that Council has failed to plan and therefore save for this, and 2) they have proceeded with the vital decision (to borrow) that allows their Budget plans despite claiming to be doing 'Consultation'.
This 'justification' is clearly and patently untrue and/or a Massive Failure to Plan by Council who must have known for years that this vital piece of infrastructure was due...Council claims this new Cell will last 20-30 years, so why haven't they been saving for 20+ years?
The irrefutable facts are that Council desperately needs to borrow to pay the running costs of the Main Corner and the Library.
But to today's post...and the failed attempt by former alleged Independent but actually Labor MP Rory McEwen, to stop my access to ABC Local Radio.
Please note that the 'contact' and 'development' mentioned in paragraph three of my letter 21st July 2011, was Rory McEwen going to the ABC Studio Mt Gambier to complain about me and my comments.
Rory did not lodge a written or even an official complaint, but went to the ABC Studio, and then 'went to a cafe for a chat' with his close personal friend Alan Richardson. For all I know that 'conversation' was more threat than request.
Please also note that I contacted Alan first and tried to cut him some slack by not specifically mentioning the outrageous 'cafe chat' above, which Alan himself explained to me in our phone conversation 20th July 2011.
I believed at the time that Rory had used his friendship with Alan to manipulate him into an unacceptable breach of appropriate process...the now aptly named 'Misappropriated Loyalties'...Rory didn't care who he hurt or compromised to get what he wanted...to get me...and Alan was dragged into it by the scruff of his friendship.
Please find attached Alan's letter 20/07/11 re our conversation, my letter in response 21/07/11, and the concluding letter from the ABC's Mark Maley 5th September 2011, nearly seven weeks later...seven weeks I was effectively banned off the ABC because Rory took his mate for a coffee and a whinge...
Tomorrow: Kevin Rudd and the new Labor Cabinet
The floundering Labor ship is sitting a little higher in the water as more rats desert, but is the K-man still shuffling deck chairs?...all this and probaly not much more...I am Nick Fletcher and this here blog is the one genuinely independent news source originating in Mt Gambier...cheers.
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