Geoff Helisma
During debate about upgrading Clarence Valley Council’s main office at 2 Prince Street, Cr Debrah Novak mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic in her debate, arguing that now was not the best time to be spending that much money.
She said, in part: “…I’m not afraid to admit I am really scared for our community [Cr Novak became emotional at this point] and I feel really frightened not just for my community but for my children as well.
“I’ve been really stressed this past week, including looking at this budget – I just can’t believe you guys [councillors] are watching the same newsreels as me, because I see what is happening, our community sees what is happening.
“We need to show leadership and leadership means spending money when we’ve got it to spend. I know you’ve said that money is there but that money has come from ratepayers, the money in the landfill reserve … in the strategic building reserve from the sale of things that were paid for by our ratepayers.
“I think any money we’ve got; we need to sit on at the moment because we don’t know what it looks like in three months time.”
From here debate took a turn down a bumpy road.
Cr Baker: I hope my outlook on this is logical – I can’t speak about fear of unemployment, then not spend [the money] and keep it in the bank. There is a $6.5m driver here that potentially supports any number of people who would otherwise be out of work. This is needed … to satisfy long term planning. It’s well and good for anyone to say they are frightened.
Cr Novak: Point of order (POO) mayor, I’m not frightened to spend money, I’m frightened at this point in time.
Cr Baker: Any councillor frightened of anything should go and sit outside the door…
Cr Novak: POO, Cr Baker is gas-lighting and that is simply not appropriate.
Mayor Simmons: I’m not sure regarding the term gas-lighting; maybe Cr Baker can show some understanding.
Cr Baker: I do understand Mr Mayor; I understand the word ‘frightened’ came from Cr Novak in the first place. I don’t want to see anybody in fear of facing up to their responsibilities. I don’t care if they resign or just go outside the door for one decision; but to simply go to ground and not be able to make decisions…
Cr Novak: POO, Mr Mayor; Cr Baker is continuing to do personal attacks on my conversations and my views.
Mayor Simmons: Cr Novak, I think the comments of Cr Baker were just, just those few words a while ago between points of order; I think they are … perhaps not liked by yourself, for want of a better word, but I think they are acceptable.
Cr Clancy: POO, Cr Baker is not addressing the motion, he is addressing personalities and personal views and I don’t think that is appropriate.
Mayor Simmons: I’ve already been through this, the POOs Cr Novak has called, [you’re] just repeating points of order that have already been called.
Cr Baker: My approach is if someone makes a point in a debate, it’s entitled to be responded to in debate and that’s what I will do … if I’m too frightened to do my job, I’ll go outside; it’s as simple as that…