Minister's inaction more harmful
It is some months since Don Carlos and others were elected to the council, partly to clean up this matter, and to slow down senseless over-development.
Even before those people were elected, the Minister ought to have invited the CEO [Chief Executive Officer, i.e., Town Clerk], Mr Denis Smith, to bring the originals of his qualifications to his office for inspection and photocopying.
The Minister's staff could have checked with the higher education institution that the documents were genuine.
A public announcement could have then been made of the facts.
My opinion is that we know the facts, disappointing as they are, and they ought to be confirmed, and then the appropriate action taken.
And the sad waste of everyone's time would have been cut short, and the elected representatives could then get on with the job of overseeing the staff and administering our great area.
It seems to me that the selection interview had not been carried out in the proper manner by the previous "administration," including those elected and those employed.
They evidently didn't insist on seeing original documents, and checking back to the training centre.
Mayor Don Carlos and supporters has [sic] just as much a "mandate" as some others on the council and in parliaments, and he ought not to be dishonoured the way he has been, for taking action in the public interest.
John Massam
Greenwood
A prudent choice of sacrificial lamb
I WAS most interested to read that Councillor O'Brien was selected as council mouthpiece on all matters concerning the CEO Denis Smith's qualifications and contract of employment (Community, October 23).
This was the same Cr O'Brien who first raised the "purple circle" conspiracy theory to explain away the controversial career of our CEO.
In terms of the infamous Bachelor of Business Management degree, the same councillor told us that the District Court in NSW got it wrong.
Then Cr O'Brien told us the university in NSW got it wrong.
Later he told us Management Recruiters Australia got it wrong and now would you believe it's all down to a misplaced comma?
When it comes to getting the truth out to the ratepayers, it appears that the Baker faction did not get it wrong and made a very prudent choice and perhaps in so doing, are more than prepared to sacrifice a little lamb.
Katharine Woodmass
Kingsley
Stop blaming Carlos for this saga
HOW is it that some councillors are using the Denis Smith saga to put the boot into our elected mayor Don Carlos?
He, at least got his job fair and square, and may I add by the book.
Of course he said his wife wrote his CV, but it still doesn't clear him for using it.
Would Mr Smith take it lightly if his wife and family were treated by hack doctors, or his house was built by shonky brickies and wood butchers instead of qualified tradesmen?
As a now retired crane operator I had to produce my licences concerning the type of machines I could operate. Had I not, I wouldn't have secured the job.
All in all I fail to see why he should be kept in his well-paid job and we, the Joondalup ratepayers footing the bill for his dishonesty, when we could get another CEO with the necessary qualifications.
No, I have never been to a council meeting but the reports from our local Community newspaper seem to say, [sic] keep us fairly well-informed and unbiased.
Bill Daking
Kingsley
Joondalup Community newspaper (Perth suburb). 26 Prindiville Dr, Wangara, WA 6065, Australia; Fax 08 9233 3001, wannerootimes@communitynews.com.au
FOOTNOTE: In the same issue, newsitems by Mark McCrory on pages 1 and 3 report the State Parliament Legislative Council committee hearings into the affair.
"Former chief executive Lindsay Delahunty [whom the then council did not re-hire] said that ... former Mayor John Bombak used a loophole in the Local Government Act and did not publicly advertise the position." (p 3)
"John Turkington [now chief executive at the City of Stirling], who had been Joondalup acting chief executive just before Mr Smith was employed, said the controversy at the council regarding Mr Smith and his qualifications should have been investigated earlier by the Department of Local Government." (p 3)
"Mr Turkington ... still attended [Joondalup] council meetings ... He said ... At times, the council is dysfunctional because of constant in-fighting ... described the council's meetings as disgraceful." (p 1)
"When contacted for comment, Mr Smith said the city's lawyer, Neil Douglas of Minter Ellison, would address matters raised by Mr Turkington in his submission to the parliamentary committee." (p 1) FOOTNOTE ENDS.
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