Vox Pops from the Huon Valley

The Mayor of the Huon Valley is now back at work on behalf of the very community who elected her as an independent Councillor representative back in October 2018.

In a Viewpoint article in the Huon Valley News this week, Mayor Bec Enders made the following comments.

“I selected the Liberal Party because my values aligned with their beliefs and my experience of working with the leadership of Premier Peter Gutwein gave me the confidence that this was the government to best deliver funding and services to the people of the Huon Valley.

One thing that I have learned since campaigning in local government, is never say never.

In saying this, when asked about whether I would consider candidacy for the Senate in 2022, this is not an option for me.

My response to this question is firm.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to advise the public that I will not recontest for the role of Mayor in the 2022 local government election.”

Enders has just returned from a five week leave of absence from her role as Mayor, during which time there has been much chatter in the various Huon Valley Facebook groups.

There has also been discussion in the local coffee shops. People are not holding back. Many in this small community are “… not happy Jan.”

The following are vox pops from local Huon Valley FB groups.

“So our independent Mayor is now a member of the Liberal party and running for state election. Well Bec Enders you are certainly showing the worst of having traditional politician traits… full of bull shit!

I am not bashing any political party here please. Just that I voted for an independent representative who is not now. I really believe that is a conflict in her ability to be our Mayor.

However she is able to remain as Mayor until the election and if she wins she resigns and causes a costly re-election for a new Mayor. Or if she is not successful (and would anyone trust someone who does this in our community? ) She can remain as Mayor with her INDEPENDENT? status now very questionable, until October 2022.

Perhaps the other counsellors (sic) will vote a no confidence in her as she has certainly manipulated at least me into believing her independence and I really dislike being made a fool off.

It makes me doubt any independent now. Are they like Bec just using our council as a stepping stone in politics? Seemingly giving little care for those who supported this bullshitting candidate.

It also pisses me off hugely that she is doing exactly the same sort of manipulative bullshit that seemed to be a thing with older male politicians.

Yes I am very angry about this. To me her actions are making a mockery of our council, a mockery of trusting people such as myself who believed her bull shit and voted for her. Well I certainly will not be helping her on her political stair way

… yet I am really pissed off that my rates will help pay her wages until 2022 October, when I at least have the opportunity to not vote for her!”

“Altho (sic) my German shepherd would of been a great Mayor she had integrity and was regal, she would of added a bit of pizzaz to the Valley”

“I don’t vote Liberal. I voted for Bec, had I’d known her intentions I wouldn’t of voted for her either.”

“Maybe if it’s a career in politics she is pursuing do the honourable thing and ‘step down ‘win or lose that’s her choice. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Shame really I had a lot of time for her !”

“I am not affiliated with any party, and if someone declares themselves ‘independent progressive’ then I expect them to be just that. And not a Liberal party stooge. If someone declares themselves ‘Independent Conservative’ i would expect them to be just that, and not a Labor party stooge. It is clear that some estimation was made of the likely voting patterns in the electorate and the candidate’s profile was sculptured to fit ‘requirements’. Why left leaning people are the ones most vocally crying foul is because they were the ones who were deliberately duped.

I think if they’re going to do this they should resign from their mayor position and cop the consequences- positive or negative. I think she will find that she won’t get in and she also will have lost her position as mayor in the next council election as well.

It’s very deceitful. At least Kristy Johnston went in as an independent! However it isn’t like she’s made a huge difference to the Valley anyway.”

“She ran as independent! Many voted for her as being what she purported to be, not a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“What did you expect? She waltzed into town and 5 years later ran for Mayor.

Climbing the ladder has always been the agenda, what will be interesting is how much support she is shown on May 1, she obviously thinks that she has plenty of friends.”

“If I was in that profession then yes! Being a politician is about representing others. This representation is aligned to a set of ideals, beliefs, ethics and values. If you suddenly change your alignment with these, then the ethical thing to do would be to resign from your current position, otherwise you subject yourself to public scrutiny that is often less than favourable, as voters no longer know what you stand for – if anything. As is the case here.”

“This is the reason I’m very sceptical about ‘independents’. They change allegiances to suit their own agendas. Such moves indicate their basic dishonesty or their lack of loyalty – both qualities I do not wish to see in my elected representatives. Very disappointing!”

“With all due respect a nurse doesn’t lie to people on the way . Sure you could try to convince the ratepayers that in the few short years as mayor she has suddenly found a longing for the Liberals, good luck with that. This is not just a career change it’s a complete backflip on perceived ideals.”

“She may have been working as an independent but the moment she declared her running for the Liberal party in the state elections her independent status is null and void!

She was elected on the status she was independent. She is no longer she is now a Liberal running for state government. She denied she was in any party and she was not. (According to information at the time of the council election).

The other issue is she is only part way through her Mayoral position she was elected forehand is still entitled to be paid by the rate payers.

If she is unhappy in the position she was elected for resign, if she is being bullied name the people if she is bullying people then those who have been bullied report her.

what this shows and what is happening all over the place shows that the idea of council representation and a Mayor is not seen in any way as a position of importance. It seems council is more like Yes prime minister the old tv show more and more. Do the employees rule the roost of the council or is it the counsellors? (sic)

We those who voted for her have no power, but the counsellors (sic) do. NO Confidence motion.

The fact the state election was called has demonstrated her reality. She may be just like 90% of politicians. I am ashamed and angry that I believed her bullshit and trusted her integrity!!

We the rate payers of Huon Valley deserve and need the elected council to be there for the community.

She will if not elected still be entitled to remain in the Mayoral position receiving full pay until October 2022.”

“If I had known she was going to be a one-term mayor, I wouldn’t have voted for her.

I don’t understand a lot of the valley politics, but this is just BS – it demonstrates she has no long-term ideas for the valley.

As for being a career move – why did she even bother with HVC? It hasn’t added any value to her CV and not sure if it will help her win any votes.”