A day is a long time in politics

Well residents of Springfield Ward in Whitehorse, you have only one day left to complete your voting in the local council elections.

You should complete your ballot material, following the instructions in the ballot pack, and mail it immediately. It must be in the mail, or hand-delivered to the election office, by 6.00 pm this Friday 21 October.

If you haven't received your ballot pack, head to Redland Drive Mitcham to the VEC office ASAP where you can cast your vote.

I have revised my distribution of preferences based on information about candidates which has become available during the last few days. If you are yet to vote I urge you to consider following this guide. 

Over the past week I have spoken to many Whitehorse residents who are keen for a change; especially those who have been lobbying council for years on issues that should have been resolved long ago. The Knightsbridge Estate community have cause to wonder how council can continue to extend building permits to developers who in 15 years have only managed to create an oddity that seems more like a bomb shelter or tunnel than a housing development. Residents are demanding action. 

GOOD NEWS HERE

Get the good news here at the Mountview Newsagency in Springfield Ward where customers of Mustafa and Susan always get a friendly greeting and great service.I have been visiting this news agency for over 30 years. Mustafa is another wonderful trader in the City of Whitehorse and there is always a friendly smile and a joke exchanged. I appreciate the support they have given me for my campaign.

جامعه ما مهم است  

Our Community Matters 

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE

My postal ballot came in the mail yesterday and I made sure that I completed it carefully ensuring that it  reached the VEC office by delivering it by hand.

If you have not yet received your ballot paper you can ring the VEC office on (03) 8619 1919 and they will assist you with the information that you need. Remember to post your vote early to avoid a fine as voting is compulsory.

You can see how I have directed my preferences below.
VOTE 1 Sharon-Lee Partridge and be sure to number all the boxes.

Here are some useful links to the VEC information
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/WhitehorseElection/
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Elections/EasyEnglishVotingInPostal.html

I also encourage those residents who are over 70+ to use your democratic right and vote because after all, you still pay rates and want a liveable Whitehorse with services to enjoy.

OVERWHELMED BY ALL THE SUPPORT

During this election campaign I have been overwhelmed by the support I have been given by so many people. Friends have organised to prepare dinner for me, knowing that it had to be gluten free so that I could continue a crazy schedule of meetings with residents to hear their hopes for the future of Springfield Ward.

And so many people have approached me to tell me that I have their vote and that they are already aware of what I have been doing for the community. This has been enormously empowering and uplifting especially when the weather has been rather inclement.

Throughout the Ward  I have engaged with so many interesting people and have enjoyed viewing the gorgeous gardens alive with Spring colour. I love making handmade greeting cards featuring photographs of the flowers in my garden or blooms from the parks throughout our suburb.

Last month, some of you may have listened to Wes Fleming on 3AW, during the gardening segment when it was noted that town planners should not forget the importance of gardens and backyards. Wes quoted statistics that revealed that where there were good gardens (city owned) and better private property gardens there were not the health problems that big unit developments experience. And so here is a little gift to you of some of my garden photos for your your enjoyment and good health!

I AM TRUSTING THE RESIDENTS OF WHITEHORSE TO SEE THE TRUTH

Have you considered how your vote is being manipulated this election? Do you understand that although two councillors will be elected, the second preferences are being filtered in  such a way that you may be voting for the person that you don't wish to be your councillor.

If you don't want party politics to be part of your local representation then ask the candidates if they have ever belonged to any political party. I am a genuine independent and not compelled to follow party lines.

Some claims have been made by candidates that they have been responsible for certain developments and initiatives, when they have had the minimum connection to the project. These claims are inaccurate and misleading in the hope that residents have forgotten or not known the full story.

The truth is:

• The Junction Road Parkland was secured by Dee Ryall MP in 2012 when the Liberal Party was in Government.
• The Nunawading Primary School Site Preservation Group campaigned for the acquisition of the former school site for community use. 
• The level crossing removal at Springvale Rd Nunawading was first suggested in the 1950s and subsequent Governments picked it up and put it down. Phil Barresi MP (Liberal) for Deakin worked to achieve the removal before a change of Government in 2007 saw Mike Symon (Labor) finally sign off on the project.

Check the credibility of your candidates.

 

I want a councillor who will speak up for residents. 

I want a councillor who will follow through with my concerns about inappropriate development.

I want a councillor that can advise me how to find the council information and services that I need.

This is the type of councillor that I want and this is why I am standing for council!

  

 

Thank you to all the residents of Springfield Ward that I have met during this election campaign. I appreciate your encouragement and the positive comments about my community work. Your postal votes are now arriving in your mailbox. Hopefully you already have my brochure but here below is my how to vote information you direct preferences. Remember to fill in all the squares with numbers so that your vote counts.

Here are some useful links to the VEC information that voters might need if their ballot papers haven't arrived by 12 October. You can also vote at the temporary VEC office at Redland Drive if you are going to be absent.
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/WhitehorseElection/
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Elections/EasyEnglishVotingInPostal.html

I also encourage those residents who are over 70+ to use your democratic right and vote because after all, you still pay rates and want a liveable Whitehorse with services to enjoy.

I encourage all residents to think very carefully about all the candidates running for Council in Springfield Ward. Please consider the credibility of those you choose to elect.

If you have not already posted your ballot paper please consider the following. In the last 24 hrs I have chosen to redirect my 3rd preference to Mike Williams who has been working effectively to represent residents in Thomas St.

He has been accused of altering my flyer for his own benefit but I would like it publicly known that I have actually altered my direction of preferences on the flyers that have been delivered lately due to additional information that I have learnt. I am entitled to do this because the flyers are mine. Mike Williams has been subjected to abuse and insults by phone, at his doorstep and in the street, from bullies who are supporting other candidates. This is the type of intimidation that I have also experienced in previous election campaigns and when on council. Those who perpetrate this behaviour must be taken to task.

For me, the most important thing is representing the residents. Not just getting elected. The manipulation of votes through secret pacts and alliances does not respect the rights of the voter to choose their representative.

If you believe that nothing needs to change, then vote for the same representatives that you have had for four years. But,if you believe that you deserve better representation, question why some feel the need to silence the voices of change.