The populace of Cootamundra and Gundagai and Tumbarumba are not ‘over’ the Forced Mergers, as is indicated by comments of both Councillors Phillips and Kelly (both of Coota).

If indeed the people of Cootamundra-Gundagai Shire were poled then you would see the Gundagai half were totally against this merger and strongly in favour of a de-merger.

I believe you would find similar results in Cootamundra and most certainly at Tumbarumba.

During the merger process (debacle) I found no Cootamundra resident in favour, and since, it seems, even less in favour apart from Crs Phillips and Kelly.

Maybe all other councillors should declare their positions on the merger.

We don’t seem to be able to shift this government (for the people?) at the moment, as noted by the recent snub given to the good folks from Tumbarumba, but I do agree with Cr Sheahan, we should be prepared for a recovery and not just bend over and accept what these fools are putting out.

We, it would appear, out here in Hicksville, are of little consequence.

As the government has rejected council’s request for an increase in rates to cover Gundagai’s extra carry-in expenditure I expect that Coota rate payers will be loaded with the extra.

Anyone with some memory would remember where this merger crap came from.

The government was trying to get rid of Clover Moore.

Not only did they fail in that endeavour they managed to bring this excretion on us behind the sandstone curtain, and are now happy to sweep it under the carpet.

I don’t think so!