Dr Dennis Farrell, Business Café, George, writes:
With reference to George Municipality's response to my and the Ratepayers' Alliance's concerns over the budget ("Concerns over George budget", George Herald, 12 June).
The response from the municipality is once again vague with words such as 'multifaceted calculations' and 'complex'. If this is multifaceted, or then complex, then answer the questions as we asked and address the statements with facts, even if it requires them to answer per facet.
I would like to know how they explained the complex and multifaceted calculations to the council who approved the budget?
The George Ratepayers' Association (GRPA) and individual ratepayers are accused of 'misleading'. How can they/we be misleading if we do not get direct answers to questions?
I have heard that a term in the municipality being used for people or associations questioning the status quo as being 'rough'.
Why would those asking the public servants questions be deemed rough? They should just answer the questions in the same manner as they explained the questions and the budget to those who 'approved' it.
I have on many occasions asked for a face-to-face meeting, but this has been ignored. The municipality refused to be on the past podcasts regarding the budget, should we be present. Why would that be?
I propose a live podcast with the municipal officials - not the politicians being present - to answer the questions posed by the GRPA and related individuals.
George Herald has asked the municipality if the relevant officials would be available for a public debate and is awaiting a response.
