Wingecarribee Shire councillors have been elected to represent and make decisions on behalf of the public and to guide this community through good and bad times.
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They are not.
Instead the voters who gave these people the power of leadership are being subject to yelling, grandstanding, pointscoring and opportunistic jibes. All at a time when leadership has never been more important.
This behaviour became commonplace when decisions needed to be made when bushfires ravaged the community earlier this year. Several extraordinary meetings where called because key issues couldn't be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
Now the entire world is looking to respective leaders to make decisions for the future physical and financial health of all concerned. But Wingecarribee Shire Council has struggled to even decide whether or not it will continue to gather in person for the regular fortnightly ordinary general meeting.
The national directive had been against group gatherings of more than 10 people. This council opted to permit a maximum of 14 people in the room at the scheduled meeting on March 25. But that meeting turned into a barrage of yelling, insults and inuendo and prompted the decision for an extraordinary meeting on March 27, again with 14 people permissible. All to consider how they would proceed in the light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Well that number has now dropped to two people in a public gathering. Please councillors take note.
If world leaders in the G20 can gather in a virtual hang out to discuss the overall crisis across the globe, why is it that our councillors have trouble even making a decision about whether or not they will continue to meet - in person or otherwise.
What this community needs right now is leadership. The people here, as with the rest of the world, are frightened about the health and financial implications. They are worried about the recovery when these uncertain times have passed. They want to know how their leaders, at all levels can help ease the burden.
Messages about possible leniency on rates, plans for infrastructure projects to boost the economy on the other side, assurance that development applications will continue to be processed, information about the services that will continue in the community through the tough times - that is what the people of this shire need to hear.
They do not care about the infighting, they just want leadership.
The councillors put up their hands to take on the role of leaders at the last election, the community supported their bid - now, more than ever it is time for these people in a position of power to lead.
