The Darwin Council Elections are on the 26th August 2017. In the Top end, the average local council campaign is about 6-8 weeks.
“If you can’t make a decision in that time check the professionalism and reach of your Council candidates platform, positions and marketing, and if it appears to be adequate, check the feedback.”
In my opinion negative or lack of feedback can be divided into two types:
personal apathy (dependant on conditions, environment and mind frame)
Objections (things that can change).
“Objections are variables like references, the popularity of a topic, passion, presentation, marketing and authenticity”. In my opinion “These are all actionable topics that can be fixed, added or replaced."
Personal apathy on the other hand is intrinsic to the personal circumstances of the time.
If a community member comments that “the Children’s play ground in a park is not close enough to amenities or too close to busy road, or the block is too small or too steep, you can’t physically move the park to remove that condition, but you can suggest inserting amenities or installing safe fencing or landscaping.”
In my opinion consistent, conditional feedback means that to attract the right input, access to forums, Polls, questionnaires and discussions must be open on several different platforms and be transparent. Feedback need not always be positive, but it needs to be progressive.
“Sometimes the aldermen and Women think without feedback that people are happy. They don’t mind the busy road or lack of amenities.”
“They don’t realize that community members compare suburbs, parks, surrounding properties and amenities with others they have seen and their public comments reflect whether or not other area’s or locations provide better value and benefit."
"In real estate, properties located in areas with an active and progressive council generally attract more positive feedback and the homes and community in the area are more valuable."
If the council is not providing you with sufficient access to provide feedback then they are not giving the community the ability to watch them perform.
“Ultimately you may seek to vote in a new candidate rather than stay with a poor performing incumbent”
Every Candidate will vary in skills, integrity and a whole range of attributes just like solicitors, mechanics or any other trade or profession. However the role of a Council member is to listen to your views and provide Communication, consultation to create better solutions in the community.
My name is Sam Wilks I have a progressive vision for the Ward of Richardson and a progressive vision for Darwin.
My platform is based on the feedback of my community
Safety and Security
Homelessness and a "Mens Shelter"
Recreation Centre
Upgrades to Assets
Increasing free parking locations in the CBD
More events and attractions
Greater cultural input and expression
A Farmers Market
Climate change initiatives
Fiscal responsibility
My positions are based on progressiveness, transparency and authenticity.
Note : Written and Authorized by Sam Wilks. The views included may not be those of others mentioned in the article but are those of Sam Wilks. If you have other idea’s feel free to comment below. Idea’s and differing opinion is recognition of a free and just democratic society. A Society I am happy to live in. Please however try not to be abusive or discriminate, you may be. But if I feel that your opinion may be harmful or is reported as being harmful, I will delete it. Sam Wilks 0402 152 929 PO Box 40441 Casuarina NT 0810 sam4richardson@gmail.com