Last week, however, Chris Gryllis, a long-standing councillor from Orange, stooped to their level in objecting to a call for a workshop to oversee resurface works around Orange. 

Bear in mind that the Northern Distributor in Orange, built and maintained by Orange City Council, was listed within NSW’s 10 worst roads last year.

In arguing against the workshop to oversee resurface works, Cr Gryllis was quoted as saying: “I object when councillors stand up stating we’re worse than Bathurst.”  

Well, sorry councillor, I too will be parochial, as this is a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black.

Eglinton Road might be bad, but it’s a super-highway when compared with most urban Orange streets.

I PRACTISED what I preached and completed the online “Your Say” survey being heavily promoted by council. 

It was no surprise to find the survey content was nothing more than a warm and fuzzy micro-snapshot into the feelings of ratepayers in the region. 

I doubt the data collected is of any real benefit in planning our city in the future. 

Yes, ratepayers can give a low point response to questions, however, the survey, which is a NSW Government initiative across all local government areas, honestly lacks substance.

It is very clear that negative feedback is not the objective of the survey.

IT will be interesting to see what happens this week in the Federal Parliament, especially in regard to the same-sex marriage plebiscite.

The Westpoint Newspoll strongly agrees with Australia holding a plebiscite, but it appears the Greens and federal Labor, fearful of the result being negative, are now attempting to scuttle the enabling legislation.

Is it not democracy for the negative vote to win? Or for the yes vote to be successful? 

Many voters are adamant they want their say, feeling disenfranchised by the perception that unless they agree with the yes vote they are not entitled to a view. 

Everyone, no matter which side of the argument, is fully entitled to express their view, whether it be balanced or unbalanced, informed or ill-informed, bigoted or not.

For mine, this right is the centrepiece of our democracy.

I WONDER if the NSW Attorney General can rattle the chambers of the presiding judge in the Oberon anti-amalgamation case to seek a judgement.

This situation is dragging on way too long and needs a resolution.

THE right for everyone to have a view and express it accordingly - the centrepiece of our democracy.

THE “Your Say” survey on Bathurst Regional Council’s website being all warm and fuzzy, and lacking substance. More spin.