The Echo should reflect on its reporting of our recent elections. Editorials wrongly painted a coalition assembled for the campaign as a future voting bloc. Councillors will make each decision on its merits. Fran Hart, if elected, won’t even necessarily vote ‘with me’. Also, my commitment to avoiding over-development (which was questioned) is rock solid.
Editorials made unwarranted personal criticisms of Michael Lyon but could have questioned his policies. Substance, not personalities.
Michael advocated 10,000 new dwellings over 10 years including 2,000 new ‘affordable’ homes. This is not tenable and won’t be supported by Council or community. The environmental impact would be huge.
We must disconnect from the private market to address our housing crisis not turbo-charge it. State government turned down the 90 day short-term holiday letting (STHL) limit supported by Michael. But ‘90 days’ will not address our housing crisis – the vast majority of STHL properties would not come onto the rental market. Just as so-called ‘light rail’ will never be funded. A 12 month moratorium wastes more time and money. We should get on board the Rail Trail. Our neighbours are committed, and funding is available. We can keep the corridor in public hands and commit to this great regional project to benefit locals and visitors.
Why did The Echo publish ads for a non-candidate who wanted to ‘sack the status quo’ only to actively support an incumbent mayor? Why promote Trump-style politics? It encourages the likes of Craig Kelly and the far-right UAP who have no place in our progressive community that values the environment, good government and diversity. If voters believe Council can determine public health policy they’re wrong. The virus finally arrived here, yet we had little official response. Did the Echo comment on that?
I look forward to more reality in our media reporting and decision-making.
Mark Swivel, Mullumbimby
♦ The Echo makes no apologies for putting pressure on Council candidates. Like other candidates, the views of Tom Barnett, whose application was rejected by the AEC, are not shared by all, but censoring his campaign advertising is not a healthy path for society – Ed.
You are hoping for balanced and non personal output from The Echo ?
Will a miracle on par with the conversion of Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus occur ?
Does one even believe in Miracles ?
Also ,what” only to actively support an incumbent mayor? Why promote Trump-style politics? ”
You covered that when saying “Editorials made unwarranted personal criticisms of Michael Lyon ”
I must be reading a different edition of The Echo because praise and support for the ” Interim Mayor ” was difficult to find .