Preferences are out!

And Veronica Burgess put me 7th, that's a bit surprising as I really thought she was genuine in her campaign to oust the Jacks. It seems not and from what I can read of it she is just a running mate of the Jacks, that's fine, but I wish I didn't bother wasting airspace talking to her in the first place. What really bugs me is that I was up front and honest in all my negotiations with her, it seems that she wasn't, arrrhhh well, whats the saying, these things are sent to test us, I just need to pass the final test now.

Candidate statements and preferences can be seen here.

Unfortunately other pressing family matters are taking a bit of a toll on things at the moment, hopefully they will be resolved without a trip to the family court.

This is very serious

There is a shortage of onions in India, things seem to be getting very serious.

Shhhhhh

Don't tell anyone, but I now have a secret blog, one that only my friends can view, if you are one of my many friends and want exclusive access to please email me at ann@annpotter.info and I'll gladly give you access.

all nominations are in

7 Candidates for the Ward, a bit of a surprise really, I thought there would be 10 or more, maybe the Jacks couldn't find anyone to run with them.

I got no 4 on the ticket, I am happy with that spot, can't do much about it if I wasn't anyway. By the looks of the Hume Candidiates there will be at least 1 if not 2 women win a spot, Go Girls Go!

Leave my signs alone

Seems that someone is not liking my signs, the only one I have in the Goonawarra Estate has been vandalised twice now. This time they have done a pretty good job of it. I am hoping that as this sign is just around the corner from my opponents house that it hasn't been targetted. Don't worry it'll be back

Vale Troy Garner

Troy Garner was a great contributor to redandwhiteonline.com, sadly he passed away today, 38 years old originally from Queensland. RIP

I had a date last night!

That got you interested didn't it. Well it was exciting! I went out with my son last night alone for the first time in ages. My daughter has scored a weekend away at Seaspray so my son and I went out for the evening.

We started with dinner at Mystic Pizza in Sunbury where we sat and chatted about school, aspirations, life in general and then went to the opening night of "Into the Woods" at the Boilerhouse Theatre in Sunbury. The musical was a Sondheim Musical, maybe a bit much for a 13 year old boy to sit through, but he did sit through it and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Today saw us heading up to Woodend very early for Cricket and then back to Sunbury for Basketball.

Tonight we are off to a family function and another tomorrow.

Someone has knocked down one of my expensive election signs in Sunbury, I suspect it may have been kids, I sincerly hope it wasn't done by an opponent.

Quick return

Life is manic, Miss R isn't well with asthma.

Not the 6, finds out all the good goss.

Break in transmission

Sick kid, my 2nd hand (my mum) is away, my teenager is testing all sorts of boundaries, and I am trying to conduct a council campaign and work to earn money at the same time.

In the meantime may I recommmend the following blogs

The OC
Not the 6 o'clock news
Father Bob

A 150 word paragraph! YUK

Went an picked up my candidates information package today. Things have changed since last election in relation to a few of the procedures. One of the changes revolves around the 150 word candidate statement. The statement is to be provided as one paragraph, can you believe that.

As someone that has a resonable command of grammar, this goes against all gramatical rules, ONE PARAGRAPH, I just can't believe it. How does one construct a 150 word paragraph that is at least part readable, any suggestions appreciated.

3 Weeks on!

I am still in a daze about my Swans, this brings it back even more.

Eye of the Tiger on Speed

Watching Australian Idol tonight with the kids, and I commented that Lee singing Eye of the Tiger sounding like the song was on speed. Mark Holden made the same comment, then gave him a TOUCHDOWN.

The dirt starts flying

It was only a matter of time, but the dirty tactics are starting. One of the rumours spreading is that I have been to a local MP's office and either done printing or picked stuff up during the night. What a crock! I have not been near any MP's office, I dare not to for the reason that certain people will start these types of rumours. I am paying for my printing or printing it on my own laser printer.

I find it sad that my opposition in the election have to stoop to such lows. However it is to be expected.

Boys I would be careful who you spread these rumours to because this time around, I won't hesitate to take further action.

I wonder what this means, does Not the 6 know something I don't. I wonder who could have crossed the line?

Weird Mailing lists

Got to work earlier this week, cranked up my email and noticed 2 weird emails. Both were identical.

It has been requested that the following address:



should be added to the communism community mailing list.
You have been successfully subscribed to our mail list.


Thank you.
----------
To unsubscribe from our mail list, just follow this link:



Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

At first I thought someone was playing a funny joke, then I got a security bulletin from the IT Security section at work.

Several staff in the University have recevied the following email.
Please advise all University personnel not to click on the link, even though it appears to effect an unsubscription.

The Networks Section have been requested to block traffic to and from the IP address specified in the link.

Bugger I thought, I thought I had finally found a place to talk about Caviar Communism.

Remembering Bali 2002

A time for reflection!

Councillors Code of Conduct and apologies

I attended last nights Hume City Council Meeting, it was very light on for agenda items and general business, except for one item that caught my eye.

Cr JAKAS, made an apology, now the way he framed it, I am not all that sure what he was apologising for, but he did say he breeched the Councillor code of conduct by making comments at a meeting on 11 July 2005. As a full transcript of his comments were later published in the Minutes of the 22 August meeting. I can only guess that as his apology was directed at 2 particular councillors that it was this section of his rant that he had to apologise for.

I couldn’t believe when it all came up and I must admit on the
night I was really enthusiastic. I was excited by Councillors
Yigit, Councillor Jessop, I mean the words he came out that
night, he said he’s going to fight this, ........

Judging by the entire rant which was just a direct hit to all things Labor, I can assume that the comments that these 2 councillors made were made at a confidential meeting. Hume's Councillors Code of Conduct is very clear about confidentiality. As quoted here

There is an expectation that Councillors will make reasonable and informed decisions on matters before the Council. In their decision making process Councillors are also privy to information which may at times be confidential or controversial. Councillors need to be:

• aware of and observe the provisions of Section 77 of the Act governing the treatment of confidential information and be mindful that persons found guilty of an offence against Section 77 will be unable to continue to be a Councillor in accordance with Section 29 of the Act;

So it seems that he saw some writing on the wall, either apologise or face the possibility of not being able to continue as a Councillor.

As I said earlier the apology was quite vague done so purpously I suspect so the gathered press didn't really have a chance to fully understand the implications of what he said.

Amusing questions from the local papers

Got a call from the local paper today. The journo started off by saying that she had been told that if I happened to win the election along with the current Councillor Jack Ogilvie, that he had stated he would resign the next day. This astounded me, why on earth would someone that maybe elected say they would resign. Personally I find this type of attitude a bit immature and would question his committment to Local Government.

She further qualified this by saying that Cr Ogilvie told her that he found me very difficult to deal with when I was on Council, this further astounded me. I suppose as men age their memories become a bit frazzled and they forget things. My memory of my time on Council with Cr Ogilvie is pretty clear, we worked together to acheive a great deal for Sunbury, and whilst we were not what you would call "best buddies" I can't recall there being any major difficulties in our professional relationship.

If Cr Ogilvie does get re-elected and I am fortunate enough to be the other sucessful candidate, I will state publicly that I will endeavour to work with Cr Ogilvie for the betterment of Sunbury/Bulla and Hume.

PS: Just watched the video of the Statutory Meeting where I was elected Mayor and Cr Ogilvie didn't say that I was a difficult person to work with, infact he gave me some very good advice.

Press Release

www.annpotter.info

Good things come to those that wait and fight

And no I am not talking about Miss R's brush with croup at the moment, 2 day out from the big competition in Ballarat.

I am talking about my application for Aide funding for my son, after an 18 month battle, he has finally been given level 2 funding, I just got the call, and am so thrilled, as is he. He just said well maybe I will pass Year 8 now.

So, Supamum, don't give up, keep the fight up.

Today and Tomorrow

Today was one of those perfect days. After going hell for leather for the last 2 weeks, I afforded myself a sleep in. It was nice lying in knowing that nothing needs immediate attention. When I arose, I got well and truely to work. Cleaned inside the car, got some bills sorted out, headed to Bunnings to look for plants, headed to the carwash.

Back home and did some weeding and potted a new plant, cleaned the garage, cleaned the BBQ, in anticipation for the first BBQ of the season. Sat down and read the paper for 30 minutes then got the BBQ firing with some nice steaks and sausages.

Sat down tonight and did some Election work, watched the NRL Grand Final (Go Tigers). Tommorrow is a return to my FAMILY UNFRIENDLY work environment. Who are forcing me to exchange my day of telecommuting with being in the office GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. They will be the worse for it as I will not answer any problems outside my normal working hours from now on, which I have done for the past 8 or 9 years, and I know that it's been appreciated by people in the Department.

Off to Ballarat on Wednesday evening for the Royal South Street Calastenics Competition on Thursday.

Rotten Bastards!

Last night, I was having a little snooze when I was awoken to the news that there had been some bomb blasts in Bali. My stomach turned, I then went in seek of further news, and thankfully CNN and the BBC were able to keep me informed until the early hours of the morning.

The restaurant in Kuta Square that was targetted was Raja's this is not a budget restaurant, one of the features of this place is the shower of water that is sprayed as you walk through the passageways, it's a place that we would have walked through at least a dozen times on our last trip.

The other bombs were placed on the beach at Jimbaran Bay. For those not familiar with the area, Jimbaran Bay is basically a line of restaurants occupying the beachfront. Each restaurant has an indoor area then outside on the sand they place tables and chairs each evening, so that diners can enjoy the sunset. They sell the food by the kilo and I have never really liked the place, the biggest reason is that most of the establishments have dodgy scales and the food is usually overpriced.

Two bombs went off there, both apparently filled with ball bearings, a cowards act that is.

I have been to Bali 19 times or so over the last 20 years, I have been this year and last year. Would I go again, I don't know now. I never felt in danger in my last 2 trips, as I always thought that the terrorists would attack places that had high occupancy, not just small restaurants, now that is not the case.

At least unlike the last 2 years I don't have immediate plans for a trip to Bali, so I don't have to ponder the question just yet. I feel in my heart I will go back as I don't want to be defeated by these terrorists and the people of Bali don't deserve this happening to them.