YOUR STARS
IDEAS NEED MONEY
Our business expert Damian Smith presents his final column for 2011. page 8
MERRY CHRISTMAS
What’s in store for you these holidays? Francis Bevan has the answers. page 9
We wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas. We hope Santa is kind to you!
DECEMBER 22 2011 ISSUE 70
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
PH 9549 1190 FAX 9549 1122 www.innercityweekender.com.au
Spirit of Christmas Mrs Claus says holiday season is all about families BY LOUISE BOURKE
S
he’s written a list, checked it twice and doesn’t care if you’ve been naughty or nice – only that you take the time to enjoy this Christmas with your community. Bernadette Dimitrov is Australia’s fi rst official Mrs Claus. Earlier this year, she completed a Bachelor of SantaClausology from the International University of Santa Claus in the US, making her one of Australia’s foremost experts on all things Santa Claus. She completed subjects including story-telling for children, how to say ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’ (there are many diff erent ways to say it, depending on the situation), and how to deal with people who don’t believe in Santa. Now, with her degree under her patent leather belt, Ms Dimitrov is spreading Christmas cheer and suggesting ways families can spend their Christmas together this year. “It’s a great idea for families to have a look at what’s going on in their local area and then diarise it. Th at way, you can make it a family outing,” she advises. “Attending carols is a wonderful way for families to spend time together to create a bit of magic and enjoy a lovely Christmas tradition.” Ms Dimitrov also recommends walking around local streets to view the neighbourhood Christmas lights.
Mrs Claus has tips for families this Christmas.
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We re complainers Marrickville Council has come second on a list of the most-complained about NSW councils in the last financial year. Council received 42 complaints in the year to June 2011, with 35 of them relating to the proposed introduction of the BDS boycott of Israel. It’s a dramatic increase on the previous financial year, when there were only nine complaints lodged in total. A Marrickville Council spokesperson acknowledged the high number of complaints in relation to the BDS and did not wish to comment further, other than saying that the handling of the complaints was done by the Department of Local Government. Some of the other complaints against the council related to enforcement and regulatory powers (3), misconduct by councils (3) and land use planning and development matters (2). Local Government Minister, Don Page, said publishing the number of complaints about local councils was about making councils accountable to their ratepayers. “The core responsibilities of councils might be more complex than they once were – but they still centre on efficient and effective delivery of services to ratepayers,” he said. “Communities will voice discontent if they veer from those core responsibilities.” City of Sydney Council came fi rst on the list of most complained about councils, with 44 complaints lodged. Of these more than half related to parking provision and parking enforcement. Coastal councils including Coffs Harbour, Shoalhaven and Newcastle featured heavily in the top 20, with residents complaining about fi nancial mismanagement and development decisions.
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