Despite all the hoopla over recent weeks with councillors wearing party hats to celebrate each other's birthdays and promising to be better behaved, with the new mayor committed to "starting the healing process", in practice it turned out to be the same old, same old.

We had the same old five, including the new mayor, voting against the motion brought by one of the other four.

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The motion would fulfil the hopes of many in the community that this council commit to take positive action to protect and restore the people's park, McPhillamy Park, in its entirety.

It was an opportunity to be listening to a large part of the community which was hoping that they would take the opportunity to demonstrate that there was a new commitment for collaboration and bringing the councillors together. Maybe even start to regain some respect from the community.

But, unfortunately, it was an old play sheet, the same old players and same old tune.

The only good thing is that soon we will have the chance to express our opinion about the values and qualities of the people who represent us.