Claims cannot go unchallenged
Peninsula News (January 9) contained more interesting correspondence from the president of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce that cannot go unchallenged.
Firstly, I wish to comment on the emphasis on "foot traffic" in Umina as raised by Mr Wales.
With traffic issues one of the key points in the objections to the McDonald's development, Mr Wales seemed to carefully choosing his words by stressing the word "foot".
I am aware of the increased "foot traffic".
In fact, I was almost run down by "foot traffic" with a bull bar that did not respect the rights of pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing.
On Saturday mornings, it is quicker to walk down West St from Ocean Beach Rd to Trafalgar St than it is to drive this distance because the "foot traffic" is on the road and not walking.
Also, as a result of the "foot traffic's" aversion to walking, convenience rather than legality is the key issue when selecting a parking space.
It seems that the "foot traffic" with its "greater spending power" can either afford parking fines or take enjoyment from inconveniencing others.
Secondly, Mr Wales appears to be making an assessment of the mood of the business community by speaking to "enough of the business operators" and quoting anonymous sources such as the "one well established Umina retailer".
I suspect that Mr Wales is attempting to mitigate the effects of the survey by the No Umina Beach Maccas Group who surveyed 84 businesses in West St and established that 59.5 per cent opposed the McDonalds franchise, 19 per cent were undecided and 21.5 per cent were in favour of the development.
I believe that the data from the No Umina Beach Maccas Group is far more reliable than Mr Wales' perception.
Anyhow, which West St businesses are members of the Chamber?
I haven't seen any window signs proclaiming Proud Member of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
Until I know the identity of the members of the Chamber I will continue to assume that the Chamber is a lobby group representing realtors, property developers and assorted greedy bastards.
Is publicly acknowledging membership of the Chamber considered to be a poor marketing strategy?
Thirdly, last year Mr Wales was seeking to participate in the Umina Village Structure Plan.
In his letter dated December 29 (Peninsula News, January 9) he makes several references to the "town".
Why do we need a village plan for our town?
Gosford Council and or Mr Wales need to clear up the confusion by immediately providing definitions for village and town.
If a town is larger than a village why do we need a "village plan"?
Finally, let's get to the juicy bit about celebrity relationships.
Gosford Council and the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce have kissed and made up.
One year after alleging that Gosford Council was responsible for the Global Financial Crisis, the Chamber has reviewed its position.
The two are now holding hands, walking barefoot through the park at sunset and planning for a beautiful future together, according to Mr Wales.
Rate payers are entitled to know who initiated the reconciliation, who was the bride and who was the groom, whether the union was consummated, whether a dowry was involved, the proposed religion of any children arising from the union, whether they would be schooled in avarice or taught the fundamentals of social justice and if any person objected to the union would they have the opportunity to speak now or forever hold their peace?
What the heck, I'll speak now.
I, for one, don't want the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to come within a 50 kilometre radius of any planning mechanism.
Any councillor in bed with the Chamber should clearly and unequivocally advise the voters of the allegiance immediately and again prior to the next Council election.
Residents of Woy Woy beware!
You are in the cross hairs now.
Email, 12 Jan 2012
Tim Haylor, Umina