Sun newspapers Wed 1 Apr 2015
Sun newspapers; NewspaperNT
2015-04-01
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English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin Region
Nationwide News Pty. Limited
Darwin
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Nationwide News Pty. Limited
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/256137
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/522055
02 NEWS WEDNESDAY APRIL 1 2015 SUBE01Z01MA - V1 Costs of mayoral row soar LITCHFIELD ratepayers have spent nearly $50,000 on legal fees in a bid to get rid of their own mayor. The money was spent on a legal dispute that started on December 1 after allegations surfaced of bullying and harassment from Mayor Allan McKay towards council staff members. Over a period of two months, council spent a total of $47,282 on legal costs, which discontinued when the council was placed under official management in January. That money included lawyer costs and legal fees, as well as $3000 used by Mr McKay to cover his own legal expenses. During a confidential meeting, the council resolved to provide each elected member with up to $3000 to cover legal fees but the offer was declined by all elected members except Mr McKay. At the time, council came to the decision that legal advice was needed as a last resort, following the failure of a range of meetings and mediation proceedings to produce an acceptable outcome in regards to the dispute surrounding the mayor and elec ted members, and allegations of bullying and harassment towards staff members and external contractors, official manager Frank Crawley said. Mr Crawley put a stop to the spending at a council meeting in February saying that no further legal expenditure was to be incurred via the elected members in regards to this dispute. Mr McKay, whose ban from council grounds was lifted on March 5 by chief executive Iian Wilson, said the $50,000 expense for ratepayers was not right. Its not fair its not right, he said. I dont know what the CEO is up to or what hes done. I guess thats part of his thing doing things that we didnt know about. Mr McKay said he had been focusing on himself over the past month, after work and money have become tight. Ive been out there trying to find work, he said. He said he was considering going to Brisbane to chase further work in order to support himself. By DANI McDONALD Its not fair its not right Illyssa King, Ava Abela and Alex Plews enjoy a boat ride thanks to Surf Living Saving NT. Youngsters learn the rescue ropes FOURTEEN lucky students from Holy Family Catholic Primary School were treated to a ride on the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Boat last week. The Year 1 children were awarded the trip after completing a program on community safety. For some of the youngsters it was the first time they had tested out their sea legs. Others were hoping to see some fish. [Im] very excited, because Ive never been on a boat before, said Peata Deegan, 6. Ashleigh Lew Fatt, 6, said she was nervous about falling over board. Im scared we are gonna fall off, she said. Teacher Alison Brennan said the program focused on what rescue choppers and emergency service volunteers do in the community. Chief executive of Surf Life Saving NT Tony Snelling said the boat ride hopefully inspired a new generation of lifesavers. We want kids to understand there are many volunteers who work to help in emergency services, he said. Westpac has supported Lifesaver rescue boats and helicopters for almost 40 years. Councillors stay until August 2017 TERRITORIANS will have to put up with their councillors until August 2017. The NT Government has passed a bill to extend the local government elections from March 2016 to August 2017, to avoid a clash with Territory and Federal Government polls. The legislation also allows casual vacancies to be filled by appointment, rather than a byelection, to 18 months. Previously it was 12 months. Minister for Local Govern ment and Community Services Bess Price said the changes will reduce costs for councils. Councils can now choose to conduct by-elections by themselves, engage an external electoral service provider or use the Electoral Commission. Municipal councils will be able to choose to conduct byelections by postal voting only and whether to fill the mayor position through election by councillors or popular election. Have a say on seat changes THE NT Electoral Commission is calling for public comment on suggestions received for the redistribution of NT Legislative Assembly boundaries. Chair of the Redistribution Committee Iain Loganathan said the suggestions can be viewed on the NTEC website and at NTEC offices in Darwin and Alice Springs. Comments must be in writing to the Redistribution Committee and received by close of business on 13 April, 2015. They can be emailed to ntec@nt.gov.au or delivered to the NTEC office in Darwin or Alice Springs or by mail to GPO Box 2419, Darwin NT 0801. Comments will be available for public inspection on the NTEC website and at the above offices. Man missing for two weeks POLICE hold concerns for the welfare of missing 52year-old Darwin man Michael Schulz. Sergeant Katie McKean from the Palmerston Police station said Michael was last seen on Mitchell Street on Wednesday, March 18, at around 7am. He was due to meet with friends later that evening, but failed to show. No one has seen or heard from Michael since, she said. He is described as being of caucasian appearance, 185cm tall, of solid build with short, dark-coloured hair. He was last seen wearing black and orange shorts with no T-shirt. Anyone with information can call 131444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. By JUDITH AISTHORPE palmerston.nt.gov.au 8take the lifestyle challenge week healthy FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UP Level 1, Civic Plaza Corner Chung Wah Terrace and University Avenue, Palmerston palmerston@palmerston.nt.gov.au | 08 8935 9922 1 3 A P R I L - 5 J U N E 2 0 1 5 Yoga Helping you Grow Phone: (08) 8985 6067 Fax: (08) 8985 1114 Email: admin@steppingstonestherapy.com.au Is your child having diffculty with writing or drawing? 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