Elections

It has only been recently that ratepayers have elected their Mayor and
Deputy Mayor.

I would prefer a return to the old situation where they are elected by
the councillors.

Councillors know who is up to the job through the countless hours we
spend around a table debating every topic under the sun. We know who
is fit for the job through experience.

I encourage you to get informed before elections swing around again.
Find out who is doing what. Throw us out if you find we have achieved
very little. Get capable people elected and not just popular ones.

SteamFest 2009

I was amazed with the huge crowds at SteamFest this year. Around
10,000 I read. We went both Sunday and Monday.

The photo is of the children having a tug-o-war with a steam engine.

I was very impressed by SteamFest this year. A small committee
achieved so much. A premier event for Sheffield.

Ignore personalities and treat topics on merit

Council can be pretty intense. I have found it that way since coming
back from overseas.

I was really annoyed by a fellow councillor the other night. I had
quite a short fuse. I snapped at them out of frustration. Losing
control of myself is not something I am proud of.

When you come to Council you have to put aside what is happening at
home and at work and focus on working through the agenda.

If a councillor is worth their weight they will put aside their
opinions of people and focus on the topic. When councillors dismiss an
idea or suggestion by someone just because they do not like them then
this is a poor result. This happens.

New General Manager

Council has decided on a new General Manager. Stay tuned for the
announcement....

Pompey- a grim end.

A photo from my recent trip.

Pompey was decimated by the explosion of a nearby volcano in 79AD.

This poor fellow can be seen in his last moments. A very grim end for
thousands of people around the Bay of Naples.

Pompeii is a much larger than I imagined. Around a third of the city
is still to be excavated. The city is very well preserved due to the
ash from the volcano covering the city and protecting it from the
elements. It protected the city but not the citizens.

Steam Roller

This photo was taken from my car as I had to reverse to make room for
a steam roller making it's way up Main St in Sheffield. It is here as
part of Steamfest 2009. The town is packed at the moment with
Steamfest and the National Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington.
Great for business.

New Light Poles

New light poles are currently being installed as part of the street
makeover in Sheffield. They do look great. Old style. Who will light
them each night?

Very soon the powerlines will be placed underground and then the power
poles will be removed. What a difference this will make.

Holidays

I am just back from a trip overseas with my son that has been a couple
of years in the making. Yes Italy was our first destination. I will
have some new entries related to Council soon.