scone.com.auCandidate: Liam Garment
scone.com.au asked each candidate in the upcoming Upper Hunter Shire Council elections a series of questions to allow readers to compare and contrast responses, based on questions sent by our readers and stories which generated the most interest in the community:
1: An overview of your background:
Liam Garment from Merriwa wants to see the smaller townships better supported.
I am 47 years old, a small business owner of Sylvia’s Café Restaurant, Merriwa, and have lived in Merriwa since 2010. I have a Diploma in Business, Frontline Management, and a Diploma in Community Services, gained with Distinction. I have served my community since 1991 as a NSW Justice of the Peace, and have lived and worked in the Upper Hunter since 2001.
I have worked in many community roles. I have worked as a Senior Constable of the NSW Police Service, a Centrelink Personal Advisor, a Job Network Manager, Retail Manager for Repco and Telstra, Assistant Manager of Upper Hunter Community Services, and as a Tourist Officer for Council.
My local business prides itself on supporting other local businesses, spending local, shopping local, employing local youth, and promoting local.
2: Why are you running for Council?
Council needs to be transparent and accountable for their actions to the Upper Hunter Shire. Council needs to act with honesty, honour, integrity and probity. I have had enough of the lies and deceit. I have had enough of the neglect and impediment. It’s time to take a stand for integrity, honesty and commitment. I am running for the community as a whole and believe that together we can make a difference in which we all can be proud of and believe in. I am running because I listen to my community, and I hear their dissatisfaction with Council.
3: Have you been on Council before? How many years? In what roles?
No. I have never run as a candidate for Council previously.
4: What are the three main issues you would like to address as a Councillor if you are elected?
- Better rural roads, as all roads should be maintained and grated as required for the safety of Upper Hunter Shire residents and the visitors to our community.
- Green waste disposal bins for all ratepayers.
- Lowering Rates through better financial management, accountability and transparency of financial transactions of the Upper Hunter Shire resident’s dollar.
5: What do you think Councillors could be doing better?
Councillors should be running the Council, not the Public Servants. The Upper Hunter Shire residents elect the Council for this purpose. Council should be demanding transparency from their public servants, and hold them accountable for their decisions.
Councillors should be involved in their whole community of the Upper Hunter Shire, not just the local area where they live.
Councillors need to be more accessible to the Upper Hunter Shire residents and listen more to their community concerns.
Councillors need to focus on supporting local small business and spending money, and shopping local.
6: Who have you listed on your “How to Vote” (in order):
- Liam Garment
- Arthur Wright
- Debra Haydon
- James Burns
- Lee Watts
7: In the referendum will you be voting for a directly elected Mayor? (yes / no).
Yes. I believe in a democracy that the people should elect their Mayor.
Five Councillors should not have that much power!
In the last four years, mates have voted in mates in backroom deals and our current Mayor only received just over 4% of the vote at the last election. Is that who you wanted to be Mayor?
The Mayor must be elected by the people as the Mayor represents the Upper Hunter Shire residents on Council. Only this way can be Upper Hunter community be sure Council is not high jacked for political purposes or self-promotion.
8: Are you currently or have you ever been a member of a political party or campaigned for a political party?
No.
9: Would you have supported the sale of the library building without community consultation, putting it on the public record or out to public tender?
No. What is Council hiding? That is what the Upper Hunter Shire residents are telling me. Why not be transparent to the ratepayer. If the Mayor was elected by the people, I do not believe this situation would have happened.
10: While not legally required, do you feel it is ethically required for Council to place on the public record the sale of any Council owned land and buildings?
Yes. Council are responsible to the Upper Hunter Shire residents, not the public servant. The community is telling me that they believe that Council are hiding something.
11: Do you think it was acceptable that septic services were closed without community consultation or it being placed on the public record?
No it was not acceptable. Council should be transparent and minutes should be recorded correctly as how the meeting developed.
12: Would you have supported the sale of the library building without community consultation, putting it on the public record or out to public tender?
No. A Upper Hunter Shire asset and community hub should have had community consultation. How much has the Upper Hunter Shire lost because of this decision? A Neighbourhood Centre? Could Council have sold it for more? Where did the money go? What about a new Neighbourhood Centre? These are all questions that needed to be asked through a community consultation.
13: Do you feel the current Councillors have been able to ensure Council has been transparent and proactive with the community? Why/Why Not?
No. Council has not acted transparently. Council have acted in their own best interests, and have let themselves be dictated by the public servants who work for them. Allowing Council to be perceived by the Upper Hunter Shire residents as being dishonest brings Council into disrepute and effects everyone who lives and works in the Shire.
14: Will you support free green waste drop off or green waste bins?
Yes.
15: Many residents report feeling unsafe going for a walk due to the number of stray dogs. Do you think Council’s current response time of 24 hours for a ranger to attend to a call for a stray dog is acceptable? What would you propose?
No. I have been advised that some response times have taken over 2 years, and even then the Council has failed to follow through in preventing stray dogs.
The Upper Hunter community have advised me that are very impressed with the new Council Ranger, however when Rangers do not live local in your town, you cannot expect them to travel vast distances at night or after working all day to resolve an issue.
I would propose more Council workers on the ground being seen working for the community and meeting the community expectations. Train staff for after hour call outs.
16: Do you feel the water pipeline to Murrurundi is progressing well or could Council be doing more to expediate this infrastructure?
I am not aware of the progress and therefore cannot comment.
17: What improved recreational facilities would you support across the Shire?
It is not what I want or would support, but what the Upper Hunter Shire resident wants and supports.
18: Where can people find more information about you?
I can be contacted directly on my mobile 0401 315 015.
Through asking me questions via my business email alexiam6@optusnet.com.au
In person at my business ‘Sylvia’s Café’, 90 Bettington Street, Merriwa (Next the Regional Australia bank)
My business website www.sylviascafe.com.au or
via facebook sylviascafemerriwa.
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