Among a number of troubling events over a number of years, the past 48 hours must surely rank as one of the most alarming.

We have seen the mayor effectively admit the general manager misled the public, through the media, by supplying incorrect information. 

It must be asked, how was this allowed to occur? 

What sanctions have been applied, seeing as this would appear to be the second breach of the council’s code of conduct by the GM within a month?

Let’s not forget the disastrous negotiations with Rex, which almost led to the iconic brand leaving Wagga. 

There are a number of unanswered questions which come out of the wash-up, including the questionable tactics used to negotiate, the change in rhetoric throughout the negotiations, not to mention what became of the two other parties who, through a convenient leak, were said to have expressed interest in the hangar? 

In short, did we achieve value for money for Wagga or did the initial bull at a gate tactics weaken our position and eventually leave our city in a worse financial position?

Next is the finalising of the planning department investigation, which unsurprisingly will not be released.

And the finalising of the report into the former planning director, which also won't be released.

Just to add a touch of humour, the GM announced on ABC radio, Wagga does not have a parking problem.

The questions posed above may as well be rhetorical questions, as typically these questions will never be answered by anyone connected to the organisation. 

Elected members and public servants alike always hide behind the commonly used veils of “commercial-in-confidence”, “legal issues” or they just refuse to answer the question.

In his councillor column last week, Cr Kerry Pascoe wrote “… let's start representing the people.  Stop the spin, be more transparent, concentrate on core issues that we can control.”

This mirrored the commitments of a number of other elected councillors during the recent campaign. 

The points above highlight these commitments could not be further from the truth.

It’s clear to me we are seeing the same old council beast, with a few new faces. 

It’s time we demanded more from our council. 

More transparency, more accountability and more honesty. 

To that effect, next week I will be announcing details of a new community group I hope to form. 

The Wagga Wagga Ratepayers’ Community will be run by people power, with the sole goal of ensuring council is held to account. 

ABOUT six months ago, AGL fitted a smart meter to our house.

The first account after was almost three times higher than we have had for many years.

On contacting them, it was agreed to refund the disputed amount and we stopped our direct debit to them.

Our simple request was to have the meter checked.

After many phone calls and many platitudes from them, we resorted to contacting the ombudsman.

In the early hours of this morning, I found my wife in tears.

She said she has been so worried, she can’t sleep at night.

We have been married for 55 years and have never had an unpaid account. Are we alone in this matter?