March 6, 2o16
Mayoral candidates Cr Keith Campbell and Cr Damien Tessmann have rejected claims they “snubbed” Wondai residents by not attending Thursday night’s forum organised by the South Burnett Residents Action Group (S-BRAG).
S-BRAG president Don Pinwill criticised both men in his introduction to Thursday night’s meeting at the Wondai RSL Club.
Cr Tessmann told southburnett.com.au that he had refused to attend the evening “on principle” because of disparaging remarks S-BRAG had made constantly against council staff and councillors.
He said he had door-knocked widely in Wondai and had been at the Wondai markets to provide local residents with opportunities to ask him questions.
Deputy Mayor Campbell agreed.
He said S-BRAG had denigrated Council as an entity, Council staff and individual councillors.
Cr Campbell said he was willing to talk to anyone at any time however some people would not accept the facts, no matter how many times it was presented to them.
“I have at various times presented facts to people like S-BRAG but they won’t accept the facts because they have some type of prejudice that anything that comes out of a government office – Federal, State or Local – can’t possibly be truthful,” he said.
“It was certainly not a snub to the people of Wondai; it was the level of concern that I have for the organisation of S-BRAG.”
He said S-BRAG preferred to “denigrate and tear down” rather than be positive and help build the community.
- Related article: Division 6 Candidates Get First Chance To Speak
Good to see candidates of principle sticking to their convictions. One would really have to wonder whether the other candidates would attend a KKK rally if it meant a vote of two. Let’s be honest – both the KKK and SBRAG are full of hate and intolerance