Some people think life is a bit of a muddle and most of us do our best to get through it.
But I’ve never seen a muddle bigger than the one hanging over our northern neighbours at Liverpool.
It’s true there are those who don’t give a fig about the place, but the reality is that people across what we call the outer South Western Sydney – Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Wollondilly – cross paths in many ways.
From shopping – people in Campbelltown like going to Westfield and vice versa in regard to Macarthur Square, to Sunday drives for breakfast at Picton – we all move around this wonderful region.
Liverpool was the first European township created by the great NSW Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1810.
Ten years later Macquarie got on his buggy and went a little further south before stopping in Campbelltown to declare the creation of another new town.
Camden was already a thriving agricultural hub thanks to the Macarthurs, who were into sheep and wine, among other things.
Back north, in Liverpool, well, let’s just say that after 214 years it has yet to fulfill its potential.
The town has elected, over the years, councillors who wanted to be builders and not wreckers.
Unfortunately, they have been in the minority, so it’s no surprise the council was sacked in the late 1970s for a dodgy property deal and then again in 2004 when the late George Paciullo was mayor.
But Liverpool has never seen anyone like Ned Mannoun.
I have known him since 2008 but I still have no idea what he stands for and why he seeks power, whether it’s council, state or federal level.
Power for power’s sake is a concept that I can’t get my head around, but that’s one theory about him.
I just wish the people of Liverpool realise they’re getting nothing but more trouble if they vote him back in on September 14.
Mannoun says he’s taking on the minister for local government on behalf of the people of Liverpool.
The truth is the minister for local government does not have a beef with the people of Liverpool, just Mannoun’s administration.
Please think about that when you walk into the voting booth on September 14.
Thank you for your comments re the Liverpool Council. Mannoun has gone through countless CEOs and the sooner he has gone the better for Liverpool.
Gary Lucas
Former Mayor Liverpool.
Mr Mannoun is a self-serving, egotistical danger to Liverpool. The Mayor of a council has no rights to manage a Council’s LGA and nor should they have two votes. Power to sack GMs? no, I don’t think so.
Power to call a council vote at 5/5 with his casting vote? No! Undemocratic!
The rudeness to relax on his office lounge while interviewing two members of the strongest bush regeneration team in Liverpool?
I don’t think so.
Vote him out !!!
Eric
You are usually spot on but i think you’re pulling the wrong rein here. Ned certainly has a bit of an arrogant style that I wish he would curb but in terms of actually getting things done, he performs well. He has prioritised the proper roles of council – rubbish, roads and rates. the council’s budget is under control and he has focussed on some recreational issues that needed attention like the new facilities at Carnes Hill. He has encouraged universities to locate in the CBD, and he has been an effective advocate for the Western Sydney airport. . The internal mess thankfully has not been fatal. He is really only to blame for the appointment and dismissal of one CEO, and granted that was bizarre- there was fault on both sides. There is no doubt Ned is popular and I suspect he will romp it in. The real problem with South West Sydney Councils is that they need to fly together more. If Liverpool, Fairfield, Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly could develop something of a combined vision for South Western Sydney in the same way Paramatta , Penrith and Blacktown “fly together” South West Sydney would become the engine room you’re hoping to see.