THIS column written from across the river has now survived for one whole year with only two complaints, so I thank the three loyal readers and my good mother, who regularly say nice things about what I have written.
The two complaints were both about the same story, which chronicled the goings on at Glenquarry Peace Memorial Hall back in the days when this was the go-to place for my generation of young Highlanders looking for love, a bit of fun, or just a cool drink on a hot night.
One reader felt that I “had made it read like a brothel”, while the other was “disgusted with the article”, which he felt was “insulting to its inhabitants over the last century”.
I accept the criticism from these two Glenquarry locals who have been part of that terrific community during the past 80 odd years. These two people were upset and I understand that, because after working for a lot of years in local government, the one thing you learn is that you can never please everyone.
We all have different opinions and it is often amazing what manages to press the sensitivity buttons in some people.
ALMOST every decision any government makes, and that includes our local council, will be popular with some and equally unpopular with others.
Anyone who has ever served on a committee will know it is a mission to make decisions that will please everyone, even on the most fundamental of matters.
In fact, it is often the most innocuous things that draw the angriest responses from people.
Street lighting is a good example. You would think everyone would be happy when the council decides to extend the street-lighting along their road. But not so! Some people really fire up, insisting street lights prevent them enjoying the night sky, makes the dogs bark and shines in their bedroom windows.
THERE is probably no better no-win scenario than when a company wants to develop a quarry.
There will be a hard core of people who want the development to boost business and another body of residents passionately concerned about the impact on their lifestyle.
Whatever decision the council makes will see it in court.
Approve the quarry and the people will take council to court. Refuse it and the quarry owners will hurry off to see Legal, Beagle and Briefcase.
SOME people want cycleways, other people reckon they are a waste off money. They would prefer council to toss all of their dollars into potholes.
Swimming pools are a classic. Everyone in the community seems to have an opinion about what the council should do about swimming facilities - the problem is there are so many diametrically opposed opinions floating around the chlorine vapours that any decision would only ever satisfy some.
A DECADE or so ago when I was appointed a manager at council I conducted a series of interviews with a cross-section of well known local residents whose wisdom I respected.
These were people who knew the Highlands, were astute and cared about the future.
I asked each of them how they felt the council could improve its performance.
The responses from these very responsible and well informed people clearly demonstrated the difficult task any government faces making decisions that will satisfy the entire community.
“THE council must do what the majority of people want,” some told me emphatically, while others were adamant; “Council must take hard decisions, even in the face of overwhelming community opposition.”
“Council must be quicker processing development applications,” was a popular view, but the more thoughtful believed the council should take more time to carefully consider applications because developments influence a community for a lifetime, so you need to get it right first time.
“The council shouldn’t get in the way of development,” demanded some, others said the council mustn’t let development destroy our rural lifestyle.
“The council should formulate clear policy and stick to that policy,” insisted some, while others said, “the council must be flexible and look at every matter on its merits.”
Some demanded that the Council has to provide leadership, while others said, “the council must do what the community tells it to do.”
YES it is indeed a difficult task to please everyone all of the time, isn’t it?
*Geoff Goodfellow has lived his life in the Southern Highlands, works for Wingecarribee Council and is well known in local sporting and social circles.
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