MAYOR APPLIES PERSONAL GAG AFTER RADIO BREACH MAKING PEACE WITH THE RIVER AT MURWILLUMBAH

By TIM HOWARD

Clarence Valley mayor

Ian Tiley has gagged himself from discussing council meetings on radio after admitting he disclosed confidential information on air last December

Cr Tiley said a code of conduct complaint had been made about disclosures he made about expressions of interest into passenger services for Grafton Regional Airport.

“After the December 13 Ordinary Council meeting I disclosed confidential information in a Loving Life radio interview on December 14 2022 and similar information in a 2TLC radio interview on December 16, 2022.

“Since becoming mayor I have provided unprecedented access to the local radio stations,” he said.

“Whilst I was under pressure at each of these radio interviews and believed at the time my disclosures to be in the public interest, I acknowledge the disclosure of the confidential information was wrong.

“I regret my actions and make this voluntary public apology.

“I will henceforth leave it to other councillors to participate in future after council meetings in local radio interviews.”

It’s not the first time the mayor has been accused of breaches of confidentiality.

A year ago Crs

Karen Toms and Debrah Novak took to the media, accusing him of breaching confidentiality by revealing contents of an email between a councillor and then acting general manager Laura Black.

At the time admitted the mistake and said he apologised to Ms Black and his apology was accepted.

By MARGARET DEKKER

Tears welled and leaders embraced as the enormity of the past year hit at a moving riverside ceremony in Murwillumbah last Tuesday.

Janelle Saffin State Member for Lismore, Justine Elliot Federal Member for Richmond and Cr Chris Cherry Tweed Mayor, knelt at historic Skinner Lowes Wharf on the Tweed River and threw flowers into the water in a symbolic gesture of hope and healing on the Flood’s first anniversary.

Local residents joined the Australian Red Cross, SES, Tweed Byron Police District and Northern NSW Local Health District at the service, quietly reflecting themselves on the devastating events of February 28 2022; another world from the balmy 27-degrees and sunny sky of February 28, 2023, one whole, hard year later. aren’t here today for those reasons, I have you in my thoughts and my heart. I hope that one day, you will make your own peace with this river and your experiences of 12 months ago. I understand that healing is an intensely personal thing, and we all have our own journey to take.” you have to,” Cr Chris Cherry said.

“Looking at this peaceful river today it’s hard to imagine what was building up 12 months ago,” Cr Cherry said.

The flower tribute was chosen personally by Cr Cherry with flowers recognised as a symbol of hope – and hard work - across many cultures.

The Council together with the Australian Red Cross invite flood-affected residents to drop into the Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium to share their experiences through contributing to an artwork.

“As much as the river gives, it can also take, and it has never taken as much as it has in the past year, and we are still recovering,” she said.

The mayor listed lasting property damage, finding suitable long-term alternative accommodation, accessing insurance payments, and dealing with feelings of loss as key ongoing battles.

“To those who

“It’s just a step in healing .. and to make a conscious shift in the mind,” Cr Chris Cherry told The Northern Rivers Times.

When asked where she got her own stamina from after 3 years of bushfires, pandemic, border closures and unprecedented flood in the Tweed Shire – the mayor was for a minute lost for words.

“That’s a hard question .. you just keep going,

“The DROPS initiative is about providing a safe place for Tweed community members to reflect on the past 12 months, by expressing their feelings and thoughts on a paper ‘drop’ which is then posted on a display board within the Murwillumbah Council Auditorium,” Penny Harrison, Australian Red Cross spokesperson said.

The Chinderah Donations Hub, the Tumbulgum community, Hub 2484 in Murwillumbah, and the Pottsville Community Resilience team also hosted commemorative events this past week.