LETTER TO KIAMA BUGLE

Re. Letter from Karen Renkema-Lang Sharing her Reflections on a Long Legal Process Involving Kiama Council  (Bugle 17 December )

Thank you for printing this letter in its entirety. Ms Renkema-Lang’s departure from Council is a great loss to our Community.  Her determination throughout her tenure, to uphold principles of honesty and integrity, will be missed.

Ms Renkema-Lang was vindicated by the Supreme Court, but still incurred great losses, both personally and financially.

In contrast, those within Council who were instrumental in the decision to Censure, and then defend Council in court, did not incur ANY financial or personal cost.

Then, the deplorable referral of Ms Renkema-Lang to ICAC was rightly dismissed as having no substance.  This was a vengeful and intimidatory act designed to silence not only Ms Renkema-Lang but two other Councillors who tried to stand up for open and transparent debate.

All this at huge expense to ratepayers, yet NO-ONE in Council has been called to account.

Linda Brazier

Gerroa