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Mostly cloudy min 19° - max 27° Natoli shuns three man OSCAR 'farce'
9:45a.m. 25th February 2008
Sunshine Coast super mayor contender Joe Natoli has shunned being interviewed by a group set up to scrutinise council election candidates, describing it as a three-man farce.
Mr Natoli said he had "far more pressing issues" on the Coast, including public safety on the streets after Nambour's drive-by shooting on the weekend.
Mr Natoli said he had today formally declined an invitation to be “interviewed” by a three-member executive of what he believes is the “self-proclaimed” Organisation of Sunshine Coast Associations of Residents (OSCAR).
“In view of the events of this weekend, I’m even more committed to putting my energies and absolute best efforts into the issues that really matter to the people of the Sunshine Coast – it is unthinkable that a ‘drive-by shooting’ could occur here,” he said.
“By contrast, to entertain the notion of being judged according to the views of a three-member executive panel, who in doing so, claim to represent the values of some 40+ Residents & Ratepayers Associations on the Sunshine Coast, is simply farcical.
“I encourage other candidates who are feeling pressured to be ‘interviewed’ to also decline and to consider where their real priorities lie as future members of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
“I am shocked by the weekend shooting in Nambour and for me the issue of making our streets safe for residents is a far more pressing priority.
"In a recent meeting with the Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson and Parliamentary Secretary to the Police Minister Chris Bombalas, we agreed to work together to deliver safer streets and that we should expand on the ‘Safe-Programs’ that have already been rolled out in Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum and Nambour.
"We also agreed to expand the ‘Liquor Accords’ set up between stakeholders. This is of the highest priority.
“More importantly, I want to tackle the problem at the front end. I will work with the churches, chaplains and other relevant organisations to bring a ‘whole of community’ solution to this.
“These are the kinds of issues that people are telling me really matter to them on the Sunshine Coast.
“It’s clear to me that whether I agree to be interviewed or not, OSCAR’s three-member executive interviewing panel have already made their decision.
"Each has publicly stated their support of Bob Abbot and since that time have back-peddled to try to regain the perception of a level playing field.
"On December 15 last year, Sunshine Coast Daily journalist Carolyn Tucker reported that 'Secretary and president of the Organisation of Sunshine Coast Association of Residents (OSCAR) Peter Bryant said they would consider the merits of all the candidates, but he couldn’t think of a better person to represent the Coast as head of its first regional council'.
'I am strongly confident that Bob would have our whole-hearted backing,' Mr Bryant said.
"Earlier this year, Bob Walpole, the second of the three-member OSCAR executive interviewing panel, revealed his close association with Vivien Griffin and thereby Bob Abbot, by providing direct campaign support.
"As for Ian Christiansen, the third OSCAR interviewer, he told me in November last year, that he would be supporting Bob for mayor if he chose to run, because he was a good friend of his and they had previously been on council together.
“I believe their vision statement is a good one. But I feel there is no way I would receive a fair hearing.
“Indeed, they seem to think that deciding the future of our region is some sort of game, referring to those who gain the endorsement of this three-member executive as ‘winning an Oscar’.
“I have already met with more than 20 community and rate payer groups, with at least another 15 meetings to go before the election, because I truly believe meeting with and listening to the wonderful people of the Sunshine Coast is vital.
“In lieu of meeting with OSCAR, I for one will concentrate my efforts on the issues that really matter to the people of the Sunshine Coast – safe streets, creating programs that engage our youth, a healthy environment and developing real solutions for housing affordability.”
Ms Griffin, the division 9 candidate, refuted Mr Natoli's claim of a link between herself and OSCAR executive member Bob Walpole.
“I want to say for the record, I have no close association with Mr Walpole. I run my own election campaign, as anybody who knows me will understand, and Mr Walpole does not send out my media releases. I send them to media and relevant community organisations.
“If Mr Walpole thinks them worth passing on to other people, then that is entirely up to him, as many other organizations do.
“I have met with Mr. Walpole representing the Coolum Residents Association, as I have met with many community organisations in Division 9. At last count I have spoken to at least 11 community organisations as part of understanding the needs of people in my division.
Ms. Griffin added that she thought it was disgraceful that Mayor Joe Natoli should be trying to make political capital out of the tragedy of a drive-by shooting.
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Recent Comments
I think a nationalist party in Europe used the the same tactics some time ago?
Is he saying that the Residents' groups on the Coast don't deserve his attention because he is personally upset by one of many crimes on the Coast over the past week ?
Or is he thinking that they probably are not going to favour him anyway, so why bother.
What happened since a few weeks ago when he declared that he would love to speak to the OSCAR people ? Another policy change of direction ? How many is that now ?
The only thing that would happen is they would use his responses against him and seek to justify their loyalty to Bob Abbot.
That being said, "Go Bob" :)
To all candidates; its mayor not commissioner of police that your vying.
Mooloolaba is safe enough for you to walk alone at night.
Just ask Tom Hulett!
Since when is it possible for one casting vote in Council to ensure peace and harmony in our community, I think the Natoli bow has been drawn long indeed.
The issue that really matters is the constant erosion of our relaxed coastal lifestyle. I find it shameful that Giovanni Natoli mentions developing real solutions for housing affordability, yet would put a spin on some Nambour wannabe ganster incident, as being of more concern than the ongoing tranquility of thousands of "wonderful" law abiding ratepayers.
So what of it Joe, what happened that you have lost your way? While you may try to stay on message you won't be nominated for an "Oscar" for this performance. The encroaching lack of respect and associated crime exists in all three jurisditictions and you're right , it is a community issue, but way out of your league.
While the drive-by shooting wasn't a "tragedy" , what's happening to our backdrop is !
Show some leadership Joe and take on the OSCAR committee, state your case and let your policy speak for itself.
When are you going to impose a "licensed premises levy" on those late night operators taking obscene profits in covercharges and ludicrous markups on alcohol, only to pour the problem back out into our community in the early hours without taking any responsibility.
That would be "expanding the liquor accords" , take some of the profit back and put it back into our community.
They're stakeholders alright; all care but no responsibility taken.
Show some leadership instead of stifiling debate.
Put what you have to say out there and be judged by all and sundry.
I'm sure the 20 community and ratepayer groups see no benefit in a chosen few lining their pockets while we are left to pick up the pieces and to clean up the mess. Are you really listening?
Talking about listening where are you Bob what's your take on this ? Missing in action?
The silence is deafening! I can't hear you.
I would point out to J Boast that robust debate puts the argument out there , the voice of the Community Court will always overrule that of the Kangaroo court as sure as night follows day.
You just need to have the leadership and courage to follow your convictions.
That is democracy at work John.
Something that should never be SHUNNED.
It is precisely the sort of thing that a Fascist organisation would outlaw. It is an umbrella association of Community Associations. What is sinister about that?
Democracy is the election representatives for a community and last time I looked I never asked these 3 guys to form a community group. If they are the representatives of certain other groups, elected by them, then that is not a democratic selection for the entire community. That is my point, THEY DO NOT REPRESENT ALL OF US BUT PURPORT TOO.
So I say to Eugene and wojtek, is this group truly elected by the community or is this simply 3 guys who have formed a group and claimed community support without actually asking? What I take exception to is the demands these types of "election time" groups put out there. They storm in making all sorts of statements then disappear.
Just because they or you think they are doing the right things does not make it right.
Put our candidates in a room with a mediator to manage a question time and let the people ask, I for one do not need OSCAR.
the voice of the Community Court will always overrule that of the Kangaroo court as sure as night follows day.
I just hope voters do not apply much credit to OSCAR and groups like them as I bet they have an agenda.
However Eugene, you are right, the community court will decide for better or worse so lets hope we all take notice of what our candidates have to say and vote accordingly.
Freedom of speech and freedom to form groups with like minded people is a sign of a working democratic country. When people try to take away those rights, to silence those groups, to censor and control the press, you have the beginnings of a non democratic system.
Apart from the information that each candidate chooses to give us about themselves, there is not much to go on. There is very little analysis or questioning. I think the formation of a peak community association with the interest and resources to do a bit of analysis about where the candidates stand on a number of issues is the best thing that could have happened.
It is pretty sad that Joe did not have the courage to give it a go. I wonder who else has declined to be reviewed by OSCAR?
Any comment from OSCAR?
And I am not talking about Joe. He has been unequivocal and unvavering in his disdain for residents. He has never shown any inclination to talk to them so this stance is completely understandable. But what's Mr Boast's beef ?
together to develop a shared vision for the sunshine coast and to work
together to ensure that our shared vision is imparted to our
representatives. Our vision is posted on the web (ausaccom.biz/oscar/oscar.htm)
I am a member of an affiliated organisation.
OSCAR is in the process of interviewing 40 candidates across the coast.
Those who have been interviewed to date have made positive comments such as
"it is excellent to see that members of the community want to become more
involved as this is important for the success of the new Council", "I
enjoyed the experience". Only four candidates (including Joe Natoli) have
declined to be interviewed.
OSCAR does not purport to represent all residents of the sunshine coast and our awards will be to those candidates that we believe can best further our shared vision in Council.
Have you researched what you're saying before saying 'excessive unsustainable development', or are you just going with the flow of negativity from the media?
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