Son needs integration aide
All I want for Christmas is an integration aide for my 10-year-old autistic son who attends Boronia West Primary School and struggles with his school work.
Under education department guidelines, my son does not qualify for an aide — they tell me there is no money for him.
However, there appears to be money to send three teachers from the school on a two-week study trip to China next month. This makes me wonder on what basis does the school decide to spend taxpayers' money.
Alison Liu, Boronia
Re: Cr Cole's roll call card questioned
Councillor, your lack of attendance at the council meetings was disappointing for those of us who are constituents of Baird Ward. Your inability to return my calls when I was in need of your support: again I was disappointed.
You did not get back to me once. And a recent story about you and your work in Fiji which was proudly sponsored by Peter Cole had nothing to do with Knox. You will not be getting my vote if you run for the coming council elections. We deserve better.
Name withheld, Bayswater
Cr Cole: Baird Ward constituents deserve a consistent representation of their views by someone who will commit to the requirements of such a valuable community service role. Your attendance at council meetings as their elected representative was to make sure that the relevant community issues were heard and effectively advocated for on their behalf.
Dean Cottier, Baird Ward candidate
I urge residents to look for candidates who are dedicated to honesty, transparency and accountability of council. Last year I raised a question on whether the council would be recording their meetings like many other councils in Victoria do, to be told by a councillor that it would cost $150,000 to install a system.
Having done my research, including questioning councils that have systems of webcasting or audio recording their meetings, I have found that the quoted price was a massive mark-up of what other councils have paid.
It is time for councillors to embrace transparency and accountability and record their public meetings so that residents that are unable to attend can hear what their councillors say and so that councillors can be held to account. If elected to council, this will be one issue that I will chase.
Anthony Osborne, Taylor Ward candidate
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