Someone passed this on - classic!

While there has been a gap between my recent posts, Today’s Cairns Post moved me to write once again.  Our dirty little tabloid has once again fallen for sensationalism before journalism.  The front page today has our Mayor Val Schier on the cover, with the headline “Cash for Comment”.

Val Schier clearly stated that she knew nothing of any commercial arrangement that was allegedly brokered by the Council’s media manager until Sno Bonneau asked a question in Council at yesterday’s meeting. She has stated that she has no idea how the arrangement came about and would never have agreed to it.  (however, this only appears at the end of the article, which is conveniently on another page!).  She immediately asked the CEO to investigate the allegation and he reported back that NO money had been paid to 4CA and no invoices have been received. (this also buried at the end of the article)

The fact is that when you lay the facts out plainly – there is no real story.  Yet, the Cairns Post manages to make headlines which are in turn picked up by other local news services.  Grow up people.

Val campaigned on a platform of honesty, integrity and openness in decision-making and anyone who knows her would know that she would never have used ratepayers money to pay a radio station to appear on a shock jock radio announcer show.  (her own words from both the paper, and a recent post on the Cairns Blog)

There have been several people who have displayed an agenda aimed at undermining Val – the Cairns Post not the least amoung them.  She has always made herself available to answer questions and deal with people’s issues and by the sound of it she was really pleased that Macca had given her the opportunity to appear on his show.   It’s great to hear her on the radio, especially given that the previous mayor had been for a decade.

It seems to be another vicous beat up that does nothing except attempt to damage the reputation of the officers we have elected  – give us a break people.  No more investigations, beat ups, sensationalism or personal attacks… let our councillors get on with governing our great city/region.