I note Keith mentions his high regard for the gentlemen who wrote the week previously to support council and question the motives of Mr Draheim.

I advise Keith to consider that perhaps the community is tired of Mr Draheim's continuing negativity and disrespect for our mayor.

I also note Keith mentions the Christmas Grotto was funded by the ratepayers who live within the town boundaries from a town improvement levy specifically collected for facilities relating to the town area.

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Is Keith saying that we the folk from outside the town boundaries should be paying a contribution to the Christmas Grotto, or is he saying we should not attend such an event or what is he saying?

As for the expenditure incurred for lights to be added to Apex Park, I believe this is an investment into the future Christmas celebrations and Oberon will have Christmas lights in Apex Park in 2020.

In regards to the ratepayers association that has been formed (with, I believe, five members), I would like answers to the following questions from the association.

- When are the ratepayers meetings held? Date, location and time?

- Are the ratepayers meetings open to the public (observation and questions prior to the meeting starting)?

- If they are open to the public, why are they not advertised as such?

- If they are not open to the public, why not (as council meetings are open to the public, unless an item is confidential)?

- Does one have to be a member to attend ratepayers meetings? If so, why?

Keith mentions re-establishing community harmony. Why does he blame only Oberon Council for the disharmony, as I believe the disharmony comes from the negativity the ratepayers association attempts to create.

Our mayor wrote as an individual resident of Oberon using the same right Keith Sullivan, Hardy Draheim and myself have.

It is sad that our mayor had to do this, and I figure she was pushed into doing so because of the constant negativity being provided to the residents of Oberon by members of OSR and RA.

I have a great deal of respect for our mayor and the councillors. I may not have voted for all of them, but I accept that our council was elected democratically.

Perhaps Keith and Hardy might need to be reminded our mayor Kathy Sajowitz received more than 600 votes at the last local government elections. This shows there is a great deal of respect in the community for our mayor.

Keith, it is time for you (you've had your time on council) and Hardy Draheim to step back and leave the decision making to our democratically elected council.

Another opportunity looms in September 2020.

One cannot run council from the outside. If you want to be a part of the decision-making, best stand at the next local government elections and see what the community thinks about your nomination.

Marjorie Armstrong