Pool part of corridor

I READ Cr Kate Lempriere’s lengthy account of the job of councillor at Cardinia and feel she must not go unchallenged.
Yes, there is no better way to serve your community. Yes, the job of councillor is a serious and important one. However, Cr Lempriere seems to have lost her perspective in the headiness of the position.
Recently Cr Angela Altair, chair of the Women’s Participation in Local Government Project, stated that: “Many women who are already involved in local issues and organisations have the necessary personal skills and local knowledge to undertake the role of councillor.”
This comment could also relate to many men in our community who are involved in local issues and organisations. I am sure Cr Lempriere is correct in her synopsis of the complexity of the position of councillor and she is to be commended for so succinctly articulating the extraordinary work of councils today, especially in a growth corridor.
Where has she been for the past five years on the fact that young people and their families in her ward have had nowhere to swim?
In her election propaganda she promised support for the outdoor pool restoration, yet at the council table she chose to vote against the committee’s proposal to restore the pool and has refused to budge from that position.
Cr Lempriere suggests that as a councillor a candidate would need to know the demographic trends, the percentage growth, the unemployment and training and educational needs. Did she know all this information when the community put their faith in her three years ago?
There is certainly much to learn about being a councillor, some of the most important aspects include integrity, being open and transparent with your community and, let us not forget, honouring promises. The swimming pool committee is still waiting for Cr Lempriere to honour her promise.
Cheryl BillingSmith,
Pakenham.