Perth Voice Interactive

One complaint and I’m a vocal critic?
I AM responding to a letter that John Carey, Mayor, City of Vincent wrote about me (Voice Mail, February 21, 2015).
In the letter I am accused of criticising “Vincent’s decision-making approach to Leederville ‘Town Centre’”.
The letter implies I am a vocal critic of the council and that I feel Leederville belongs to me.
I have already received phone calls at my family-run business from anonymous people hurling abuse at me. My children have been informed there are blog sites writing profanities about us. Thankfully, I don’t take any of that seriously and I certainly don’t blame John Carey for any of that.
However, I do take it seriously when the mayor writes something about me in a public forum wrongly accusing me of being a vocal critic.
I did indeed send an email to John Carey, the CEO and all the councillors of Vincent. I did indeed criticise the council over one decision that it made. This was regarding an event the council voted in favour of that would have affected us directly. It would also have affected hundreds possibly thousands of people including the disabled and elderly.
At this council meeting (according to the reports in the Voice Mail) three councillors voted against the event. A lack of consultation was cited as one of the reasons. Three councillors voted for it and John Carey’s casting vote passed the motion. Does this mean John Carey will now write another letter naming these three councillors as vocal critics of Vincent?
I have never been to a Vincent council meeting. Does that sound like a vocal critic of Vincent?
I have had conversations with John Carey in the past. I recall discussing the issue of parking in Leederville. Even John Carey acknowledged in his letter that parking is a problem in Leederville.
I also recall telling John Carey how much I loved Leederville. I work and live in the Town of Vincent and enjoy all the facilities and great restaurants, bars, cafes and retail outlets as much as I can.
My friends and people that I know are astounded and outraged that John Carey would write a letter like this because I am not a vocal critic of Vincent. In fact, I am not here to criticise John Carey I am here to praise him: Leederville is transforming beautifully, but still keeping its original charm. I am proud to be a resident and a business owner in the area.
But yes, I was indeed upset we were not consulted about something that would affect us so greatly. If a local government body decides to hold an event in your backyard, wouldn’t you like to be consulted first? I am also still upset no-one at Vincent has been courteous enough to reply to any of my emails regarding my legitimate concerns. I would have thought councils were there to facilitate the concerns of all ratepayers. No, not one reply! Of course I’m not including Mr Carey’s letter to Voice Mail as a reply to myself.
As a postscript, the event was cancelled and I did not receive any formal advice about that either.
I would like someone from Vincent to explain to the public why the event was cancelled.
I would like someone to explain I had nothing to do with the event being cancelled.
I would like someone to explain so people will stop ringing and abusing me.
I would like someone to explain so my children don’t read profanities on a blog site.
Please City of Vincent, can you please help stop this.
Andrew Parissis
Owner/Waiter, Siena’s of Leederville

Wincing irony
READING and writing develops our thinking powers.
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Cuts to education and health services should be a last resort to avoid catastrophe.
We are still, one trusts, some distance from the edge.
A desperate Premier Colin Barnett burning library books—he is without qualms regarding the disposal of sharks and shade trees—would offer a view from the edge,
What wincing irony that Perth’s casino closes only for Christmas Day and Good Friday. Libraries and art galleries should be likewise.
Bill Proude
First Ave, Mount Lawley

Here’s my perfectly reasonable measure
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Well, I think it’s a “perfectly reasonable measure” to unelect Tony Abbott, now! I’m an 80-year-old pensioner, carer, and war veteran with a disabled daughter.
William Booth
Queen St, Bentley