More locals comment on Cansdellgate

Today's Daily Examiner has more locals coming out in its letters columns and voicing opinions about Steve Cansdell's sudden exit from Macquarie Street.

Tunnel vision

The demise of Steve Cansdell should make you happy, Fred.

Not a clean skin after all.

Yes, the Coalition side of politics has them too, Fred, that is why it doesn't pay to have tunnel vision.

If one was to dig deeper into the coalition parties it would be surprising just how many skeletons they would have in their cupboards.

It would be fair to say that both sides of politics are tarred with the same brush.

Don't you think Fred?

BF Apps, Townsend

Casting the first stone

I would like to take this few minutes of your time to ask you all something, if there were 1000 people in a room and I said, those of you that have never lied, stole, cheated, done something illegal, or any other thing that may be frowned upon in this day and age, please stand, but please be honest, how many do you think would be able to stand?

Not many, in fact very few.

This is my point. Yes Steve Cansdell lied, and not only to the police, but to everyone who elected him.

Yes Steve Cansdell did something illegal six years ago, and let's be honest, he is not a stupid person.

He knew exactly what he was doing and how much trouble he could be in if and when he got caught.

But once again let's be honest with ourselves, if he wasn't in politics, and he was in the public eye, would we even care, would we even know about it?

No we wouldn't.

These things happen every day to everyday people without anybody knowing.

I have taught my five children from day one there are always consequences to your actions, good or bad.

Steve Cansdell is now finding that out. I give this man full credit, when asked he didn't keep lying about it he told the truth, and is prepared to take whatever punishment is due to him.

However, sit back and think about it, and by it I mean, think about the good that Steve Cansdell has done for this community. I know that is what I have been doing for the past couple of days, and this is my conclusion: yes, he had to resign from his position as secretary for the police.

I believe he had no choice there, but from this electorate, I think not, this goes to show that he is human; everyone makes mistakes, no one is perfect.

Does what he has done make him any less of a man?

No, it makes him human. He did what he thought was the only thing he could at the time, not the right thing, but it's what he did, given the chance 50% of people would have done the same thing.

And as for the person who took the blame, he says she was pressured into it, she knew it was the wrong thing to do, she could have said "no" she had that choice six years ago.

If she did not want to go along with it then she had choices.

Carolyn Payne, South Grafton. 

Firstly, regards to the Steve Cansdell story, everyone at one time or another have done something stupid in their life.

Steve has made a big one.

We always are quick to shoot people in the foot at any expense.

Steve has done a great deal for our communities, never let that be forgotten.

I feel for his family as they too bare the brunt of matters such as this.

You can all hold your heads up high.

Secondly to Thomas Macindoe, I say one thing, to call Richie Williamson a political prostitute is shooting a bit below the belt considering you, sir, appear to be a worn out Labor sympathiser.

Stick to facts and comments without all the name calling.

Colin Wiblen, South Grafton

Nationals' pool of talent for Clarence by-election

Seems the north-south battle lines in the Clarence by-election referred to previously will be preceded by a preliminary internal north-south bout in the National Party's camp.

Today's Daily Examiner reports that Karen Toms, a Clarence Valley councillor, has been encouraged by party members in the electorate's southern quarters to contest the election. Among Toms's supporters are former Grafton mayor and Nationals stalwart, Shirley Adams, and chair of the Grafton branch of The Nationals, Peter James. 

Karen Toms

James, a Grafton solicitor, features prominently in a piece in today's Sydney Morning Herald about the former, and now disgraced, member for Clarence Steve Cansdell being provided with heavily-discounted office space prior to the March election.

Results of the ReachTel polling conducting in Clarence yesterday can't come quick enough for some. However, Toms must be hoping she is more successful when she puts her own name forward than she was at the Clarence Valley Council's  mayoral elections held yesterday. Toms seconded nominations for Ian Tiley and Margaret McKenna in the ballots for mayor and deputy mayor, respectively. Both Tiley and McKenna were runners-ups in their ballots.

More details about the Clarence Valley Council's mayoral elections can be read in The Daily Examiner's report here. 

On a lighter side, according to The Examiner's report, "Tiley's bid for mayor was defeated five votes to four last night in a secret ballet [sic]." Ballet!

Photo credits: Clarence Valley Council and The Daily Examiner

A question in images - just who does this electorate staffer work for?

On 25 August 2011 the Federal Independent MP for Lyne Rob Oakeshott queried the employment status of the editor of Nationals supported The Port Paper citing this information:

On 26 August Clarrie Rivers did the same and posted this:

On the same day Federal Nats MP for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker went to the media with this statement:

Now I find that disgraced NSW Nat Steve Cansdell went public with his own claim on Facebook in March 2011:

Two of my hardworking staff, Deb & Sharon. Janet did the sensible thing and went home a tad earlier! Thanks guys, you've been a tremendous support.

How many times did this electorate staffer take annual leave or resign to end up being 'employed' by so many in the space of three months or is she just on permanent rotating loan within NSW North Coast National Party circles?

Who's having a lend of us then?

It wasn’t hard to come to the conclusion that the developer was testing the bounds of credulity in this matter given his reputed track record. But to find first that the Clarence Valley Council Acting-General Manager was coming over all coy on the subject and then that the newspaper developed diplomatic amnesia in the space of thirty days and forgot his name is unbelievable.

Guess we know which local identity won’t be backing Richie Williamson’s bid for the seat of Clarence if he stands at the 2011 by-election.

The Daily Examiner on 16th August 2011:

“DEVELOPMENT applications lodged at the Clarence Valley Council by Maclean developer Andrew Baker are set to come under the scrutiny of the government watchdog, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Following a meeting last Monday between the council's acting general manager Mike Colreavy, Mayor Richie Williamson and Mr Baker, Mr Colreavy said he had referred some matters to ICAC.

Mr Baker told The Daily Examiner yesterday he had spent almost $1million ‘trying to sort out' development applications lodged during the past three years.

“I provided information to council on a number of issues with developments we have had with council over the past three years,” he said.

“We have had to put in close to a million dollars to either challenge or correct the issues that I highlighted to council.”

“I didn't ask for any reference to ICAC ... Mike Colreavy made that decision and he asked for me to agree or not.

“So council have referred this to the ICAC, not me.”……”

The Daily Examiner on 20th September 2011:

“THE Independent Commission Against Corruption will not pursue a complaint against Clarence Valley Council and Mayor Richie Williamson.’…

He did not identify the nature of the "external" complaint but said it was made in August and alleged "institutional corruption within council" and related to a number of planning transactions listed in a document sent to the mayor.

He said the complainant alleged the transactions involved "abuse of process", "contempt of court", "attempt to subvert", "exceeding authority", "sham requirement", "failure to implement council decision", and "failure to implement requirements of DCP" by council officers.

"I referred the complaint to the Independent  Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) after meeting with the complainant on August 8, together with the mayor," Mr Colreavy wrote.

"My referral to the ICAC sought its early advice as to what steps to take with the matter and what direct involvement the ICAC wished to have in it……”

What ICAC actually said:

“Given that the list of transactions of what (the complainant) believes show corrupt conduct are in most cases speculative and unsubstantiated, and noting your willingness to engage an independent planning expert to review each of the transactions (the complainant) has listed, the Commission has determined not to take any action.”