Here's a list of contact details for the final candidates for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Elections on March 15 - I've had a few conversations lately with people who aren't too clued-up about the process or the candidates, and that scares me. I've looked at the list and only see a few people who I know are already prioritising the big issues that will effect our future needs.
Check which division you are enrolled in then use the list to find out who your candidates are and go to a public meeting, ask people about them, do some research. The Daily's website has articles and a community forum,
...but we all really need to get up close and personal with candidates we don't know, look them in the eye and ask them what their values are, and how much they know about future challenges like alternative transport & power generation, peak oil, climate change, food and water security etc. (Don't accept broad sweeping statements that support the need to do 'something' . What actions will they take/support? They are going to be paid a decent salary to provide some answers. These are tough issues that require rigorous intellectual debate to find the solutions. They are also humanitarian issues, requiring our councillors to work from the heart as much as the head. Do you get a gut feeling for their integrity when you meet them or read about them? Do they value community? Are they strong or committed enough to stand up to the Qld Govt where needed?
This period in time is a defining moment for the Coast and Australia as a whole. Being lucky enough to live in a place of abundance we don't often need to revisit those basic human core values like you do when you're survival is at stake. I've always said Australian society is like most teenagers - 'Anglo-Australia' is a very young culture by anyone's standards. We've focused on the now and what the world is going to do for us, and not been too concerned with the future (or the past). We've envied the toys that others like the US had, and decided we wanted to be just like them, to 'fit in' with the in-crowd. Like most teenagers, we've disregarded the wisdom of older generations (our first Australians) and sought quick-fix material distractions to avoid putting some time and real effort in to sorting out the issues that make us seek the distractions in the first place. Yaddah yaddah yaddah (I could go on about this for days)......
But in the last year I think we've started growing up as a Nation. We decided we wanted to be a society not an economy at the Federal Elections, Kevin has stepped up and elevated the word 'respect' in our national language, and you just get the feeling now's the time to ride the wave - reclaim our communities, put our social and environmental values at the top of political and business economic agendas (and hey, they aren't mutually exclusive goals!)
Have a look at this pretty amazing set of principles for creating 'sustainable' communities. They belong to a former-lecturer of mine and I've never found better.
Creating communities that minimise ecological footprint and maximise human potential.
Ask your candidates what they are going to do about that.
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