In Byron a local government election ad grabs the eye

http://byrongreens.com/2012/09/04/campaigning-in-byron-shire-heats-up/

Moggy Musings [Archived material from Boy the Wonder Cat]

A trouble in River City musing: One candidate vying for a place on Clarence Valley Council this coming Saturday has a bit of a local government history. Apparently when down south someone found him divisive enough to warn him off in no uncertain terms. My little canine friend, Veronica Lake tells me that her hoomins were saying that the words “lest the public put a barrel of bullets in his chest” were used at the time.

A whozat? musing: Apparently things are getting antsey behind the scenes in the political campaign leading up to the 8 September 2012 Clarence Valley local government election. One particular candidate is rumoured to have banned another candidate from having any further interaction with the Grafton Chamber of Commerce. Surely no-one could possibily make such a foolish mis-step, or could they?

An omerta musing: There is a rumour about that Clarence Valley local government election candidate, Andrew Baker, is saying that he doesn't intend to spend any money on an election campaign. Which makes the mob gathered round the catnip patch wonder if he has the backing of the contruction industry mafioso whose workers just might be expected to toe the polling booth line.

A candidates need to chill musing: Amazed to hear my little canine friend Veronica Lake telling everyone who will listen that one of the genuinely interested single issue candidates at the September 2012 Clarence Valley local government elections chucked a hissy fit after reading one The Daily Examiner editorial. Ronnie reckons it's never wise to have a go at an editor this early in an election campaign and, candidates should focus their attention more constructively on the many problems facing local communities.

A what a hide musing: Property developer, real estate agent and Clarence Valley Council election candidate, Andrew Baker, has listed his email address with the NSWEC as littleaussiebattler@me.com . As if saying could make it so? Did he fall off his bank balance and hit his head on the way down?

A Degrees of Separation musing: I see that a former business partner and a former election campaign director of Nationals Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis (the developer Andrew Baker & the pro-development NSW Nationals former chair and now senior vice-chair Jeremy Challacombe) are both standing at the same September 2012 Clarence Valley local government elections in the electorate he supposedly represents. There are already two councillors (who happen to be card-carrying National Party members) standing for re-election. Is this a Nationals push to finally take control of Clarence Valley Council?

A Don't express an opinion of the candidates musing: Little Veronica Lake pricked up her fluffy white ears this week when she heard her hoomins discussing the fact that The Daily Examiner online is not allowing even mildly negative comments about new candidates at the September 2012 Clarence Valley local government elections. Of course that won't stop quite a few voters putting developers last on the ballot paper.

As Grafton Gaol in the Clarence Valley NSW closes a Gulaptis Sux musing: By bertson from Yamba, Shame O'Farrell! Shame Stoner! And shame Gulaptis! It's all very well for the local member to stand on the picket line when he's been shamed into it, but quite another to stand up for your constituents in the preceding months when the closure was being discussed in Macquarie Street. The electorate has a long memory Chris!!

Boy

# Boy's sidebar posts from 12 July to 5 September 2012 in reverse order

Stonewalling the media begins to backfire on Clarence Valley LGA election candidate, Andrew Baker

After spending much of his time over the last five weeks in what looks suspiciously like an attempt to misdirect Clarence Valley mainstream media with regard to the degree to which his companies are in significant financial difficulties (four are listed by Australian Securities and Investments Commission as under External Administration and therefore now not within his or his partners total control), candidate and property developer Andrew Baker was finally forced to publicly admit that these four local businesses are in trouble due to the borrowings/debts allowed to build up against their assets.

However, ever faithful to his particular brand of political spin; He said that he was unable to explain why ASIC’s classifications were different to how he described them.

A statement which defies belief and a version of the Clayton's explanation he has tried before.

Apparently Mr. Baker has trouble admitting that his election campaign - built on assertions of competence and responsibility - does not mesh well with his history of poor business management as documented by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) below.

Click on images to enlarge

UPDATE

Price Waterhouse Coopers liquidators/receivers have currently taken control of properties in River Street, Maclean.

This is a provisional list*:

20A River Street
24-26 River Street
28 River Street
34-36 River Street
221-223 River Street, Maclean

It is understood that The Palace Arcade may possibly also be part of the properties package being held by the liquidator/receiver. 

In addition Price Waterhouse Coopers have taken control of Lots 8 &  11 Dianella Drive, Gulmarrad, NSW and possibly any unsold lots in the subdivision known as Lot 1712 DP616116, McIntyres Lane, Gulmarrad.

* In the interests of accuracy the list has been changed to reflect property descriptions in ASIC documents.

UPDATE

In The Daily Examiner on 7 September 2012 Andrew Baker stated that he offered voters; the management skills and life experience to deliver that quality management if elected to serve on  Clarence Valley Council.

Truthiness in political reporting

Journalist Katherine Murphy writing in the National Times on 3 September 2012:

The sheer scale and ubiquity of ''truthiness'' in political discussion is gradually stirring journalism's pot, forcing decisions some outlets probably, in truth, don't want to make.

There is already so much conflict - posturing partisan hackery dressed up as news, brutal culture warfare and the like - that outlets that still cherish the principle of giving readers measured, balanced equivalence don't much fancy picking a club and swinging it lustily with all the other Neanderthals.

But balance can't be balance absent judgment. Sometimes statements are just wrong. Sometimes lies are just lies. Politics can't be allowed to manipulate voters by playing with journalism's best intentions to be fair. [my red bolding]

# A big thankyou to Anony-mice of Yamba for sending this quote to me.