Letter from a Springfield resident

4 Adam St
Nunawading
3131 Vic
4/12/05

Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks to Cr. Sharon Partridge who did not retain her seat at the recent council elections. The energy and heart that she put into her role as councillor over the past three years is inspiring and greatly appreciated by the groups that she supported.

Residents and community groups who have worked closely with Sharon will know that she is a tireless worker and champion of the under privileged in the community. She has stood up as an opponent to overdevelopment throughout our entire city as demonstrated by her stance on the Colombo St Towers; to name one.

Her support for many groups such as Reach Out for Kids, the Winter Sleepout for the Homeless and Pay it Forward youth team, are testament to the way she has inconspicuously worked for the young of our city.

As a teacher I fully understand how vital the support of such groups is to improving the quality of life for our disadvantaged youth across this city; they are our future.

In my observation, Cr.Partridge has shown that representation is not just taking care of roads, rates and rubbish. I commend her for the courage that she has shown throughout her term; often against strong resistance from others in chamber.

I regret that this truly independent voice for locals seems to have fallen victim to the flaws of the preferential system. I and many other voters were unaware of the implications of this process and the way votes are transferred from the candidates that we have chosen as first and second preference. Many voters like myself may feel that we were duped by the system.

I hope that Cr.Partridge will grant us an opportunity at the next election to reinstate her as our independent voice for the community.
Yours sincerely
Barbara Wandoch