In response to Ian Clements’ letter last week, we wish to clarify a few things.
Firstly, on the pools debate, both the Byron and Mullum pool tenders were on the same report.
There was consensus among councillors on the decision to award the Mullum pool to Belgravia, and given the significant difference in price, it was unfortunately the only responsible course.
There was a desire for further debate on the Byron pool, however the majority voted against further debate as, though the price differential wasn’t as much, it was still significant. What really lacks integrity though, is the fact that, despite there being significant online discussion following the decision, not one Greens councillor, nor the Greens mayor, owned this fact, or faced the music for the decision, instead remaining silent, allowing them to seem like the good guys and letting other councillors take the heat.
This lack of integrity extends to the ignorance of due process in favour of special interest groups, another theme of this term which erodes trust in fair and equitable process.
So yes, on all issues, please take note of who voted, who didn’t and who has the strength of character to explain and own their decision-making afterwards.
Crs Michael Lyon and Jack Dods
• Online ‘discussions’ have limited audiences and are carefully curated by large foreign corporations for maximin outrage. Making an effort to be transparent with the electorate engenders trust, and that is lacking across the entire councillor spectrum, regardless of political allegiances. Despite the claimed ‘consensus’, the four Greens all voted against the loss of local jobs which you both voted for, so it’s not surprising they didn’t defend it. – Letters ed
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
