Sir,
No doubt there were many who, like me, questioned who authorised the two blank pages of the centerspread in issue 38 of the NEWS, naturally assuming it would have been the General Manager.
On one hand we have the General Manager proclaiming the need for transparency regarding Council matters and, on the other, saying nothing of Council’s decision to cease advice to ratepayers in the NEWS.
What right does any Council employee, have to impose personal views, opinions, dictates or theories upon the very people who elected the Council?
Freedom of speech is a basic tenet to which we must adhere and aspire at all times, and attempts to gag society have traditionally been the implements of dictatorship.
Quite a lot of local residents have expressed to me that they agree with, and encourage, our Council to keep us informed through the pages of the NEWS.
Maybe the Council has misinterpreted something seen in the NEWS and taken it as a direct criticism of their work.
If this is so, I would hope to read a full explanation for the two blank pages from a Council spokesperson in a future edition.
Regards
Chris Richards, Glen Innes
