The letters columns in today's Daily Examiner carries an assortment of views about the Cansdell scandal.
In the red corner:
Are we stupid?
How stupid do the political parties think people are?
Fact 1: Mr Cansdell lied to the police with the aid of a so-far-unknown accomplice.
Fact 2: For six years now he has lied to the people of his electorate and has now cost the state of NSW (which, according to the Coalition to which he belonged, is broke) a by-election.
Fact 3: He said he would step down as it was the honourable thing to do, but if he had stayed on as MP and been charged and convicted he ran the risk of losing his pension. Makes one think, doesn't it?
So far I have not heard him apologise to us mugs who elected him, only to his family, friends and party and to protest that he did not realise the seriousness of what he had done to avoid a speeding ticket.
This from a committed, get tough with them, crime fighter.
Now the sting in the tail. It would appear that the National Party is trying to court CVC Mayor Richie Williamson to stand as the National Party candidate for Clarence.
If Mr Williamson is successful it would relieve CVC of an incompetent councillor, a good outcome, but would impose the same ego-inspired incompetent on the Clarence electorate, a not-so-good outcome.
Paul MacDermott, Lawrence
More questions
Why should Steve Cansdell resign with full benefits instead of being sacked?
And you gave this matter a two-page spread and tried to make him sound like a hero ... oh from sexually abused victim to this ... he has fraudulently lied to cover his backside to keep his driver's licence and says "oh, sorry, I had a lapse in judgment".
I would also like to know who the staff member was who he obviously pressured into taking the blame for his law breaking. Speeding is against the law ... if you get caught then you should pay the price.
He is supposed to be a pillar of the community yet he couldn't keep a clean driving record.
How appalling.
I would love to start a petition to say that we, as taxpayers, are totally against this lawbreaking politician obtaining full benefits, ie. a pension, from our hard-earned money.
Michelle Walters, Junction Hill
The candidate
DEX intimates that Richie Williamson is talking with the Nationals regarding possible representation in the forthcoming by-election.
That would be about right. Williamson strikes me as a political prostitute who would sell himself to the highest bidder.
Thomas Macindoe, Yamba
In the blue corner:
Admiration
Steve Cansdell has shown that expediency cannot supplant probity and integrity. Congratulations to him, at such a personal cost. His decision evokes admiration and sympathy. When principle is involved, even compromise becomes capitulation under the instalment plan.
David Brown, Junction Hill
He will be missed
I wish to pay tribute to Steve Cansdell for his dedication to the people of the valley and beyond. He has been an excellent member, with an extremely balanced attitude towards all.
I have had the privilege of involvement with quite a few organisations and as such have had opportunities to see Steve Cansdell in action. I believe he has been an outstanding representative.
Some measure of his fair-minded approach to his responsibilities was at the recent opening of the Grafton U3A Men's Shed extensions and renovations for which he had obtained a grant under the Government Communities Building Partnership Program. He paid a generous tribute to the former government for promoting this very worthwhile fund.
The transgression leading to his resignation is one he will regret. It probably seemed a good idea at the time. No doubt, the manner of his going reflects credit on him. No ducking - rather a quick and decisive move.
He will be missed. However, we should hope that he will continue to serve our community. I for one would welcome that.
David Abrahams, Grafton
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