Hold workshop locally

After spending four years as a Wyong Shire Councillor, I know they too have weekend workshops.

I attended one in my first year as a councillor after which I decided not to attend any more.

My reason not to attend was due to the fact that I felt the money should be spent locally not out of the shire.

When I asked a sitting senior councillor why these workshops were not held locally or in council's own meeting rooms the answer I received was beyond belief.

If the workshop was held locally or in council's meeting rooms, no one would turn up.

These workshops do achieve a great deal, but the money spent should be kept locally.

Regarding the remarks Cr Freewater made about the food and alcohol, my experience was that there was no limit to expenditure on food and especially the alcohol (all top shelf).

As a ratepayer of Gosford City, my rates could and must be better spent, I applaud Cr Freewater's stand on this issue.

The workshops should still go ahead but they must be held locally or in council's facilities.

An itemised account should be made public for each councillor's expenditure over this weekend to show rate payer's exactly what their rates are being spent on.

Email, 16 Feb 2011 Carl Veugen, Umina