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It seems now that Albury City Councils' Director of Community and Recreation, James Jenkins, wants to be a player in the big league just like the General Manager, Les Tomich, and his trusted sidekick Michael Keys. The trouble is that James might have to ask them for some type of mentorship from Messrs Tomich and Keys on the finer points of intrigue and spin and at least a token consideration of both sides of the story.

It all began as in November 10, 2008 when James Jenkins, Albury City Council's Director of Community and Recreation sent a memo to all Councillors and the General Manager informing them of an incident that occurred on Tuesday, November 4 at Fromholtz Park. It went on to explain that threats had been made, and one of the Rotary members who were attending an informal barbeque was assaulted with a piece of wood. It also went on to say that there was significant theft and vandalism at the site.

Borderline is unaware of the extent of the theft and vandalism but believes it has been informed by sources who have worked on the site that the extent of the vandalism is no more than most other building sites. However Borderline will make an application to the Albury Police in the next few days to get more accurate view as to the veracity of Mr Jenkin's claims.

Why Mr Jenkins released the memo and his motives for releasing it remain a mystery. He was obviously aware that someone was bound to leak it, and leak it they did. It was most certainly Cr Duncan-Strelec who has old scores to settle, still smarting from being deposed and having to consign to the cupboard her mayoral robes for the foreseeable future.
She's not a forgive and forget type is Cr Duncan-Strelec. More the type that
carries a grudge to her grave. The list of her grudges must be very considerable indeed.

The Border Mail made the most of it - it must have been a rather poor news day. And seemed to suggest that those opposed to the development to the childcare centre were guilty of all that has befallen the building site.

Cr Duncan had contributed her two bob's worth saying she understood how intimidating and frightening the attacks could be after witnessing similar incidents in the lead-up to the last elections.

She goes on to say in the Border Mail.

'This sought of behaviour from this group of thugs does not surprise me given the threats and abuse I received in the lead-up and during the recent council election,' she told the Border Mail.

She also claimed both she and her family were threatened on many occasions.

While Borderline disputes these outrageous claims from Cr Duncan- Strelec, she seems to forget that in the thuggery and bullyboy tactics the councillor is almost without peer. What about when prior to the last council elections she threatened to get the Albury City Council sacked if the new council didn't behave to her standards. What standards readers well may ask. Cr Strelec then quoted her own impeccable standards of propriety and nobleness of spirit that invited disbelief and nausea in equal measure. Hypocrisy comes very easy to Cr Duncan-Strelec.

It seems both James Jenkins and Cr Duncan-Strelec are trying to force the NSW Police Department's hand in the matter. Cr Amanda-Strelec bleats about a zero-tolerance approach should be taken by police in relation to this matter. Borderline this is very dangerous territory they are entering
and may yet come back to bite them.

The article in the Border Mail states that Albury police were still investigating the incident. Surely whoever told James Jenkins their version of events must have told him that the police were investigating the matter. If this is so then it is highly improper of Mr Jenkins to issue such a memo when he states emphatically that a Rotary club member was assaulted with a piece of wood, verbally threatened and abused…. What about the presumptions of innocence that is the cornerstone of our legal system.

Mr Jenkins had behaved in a most incompetent and irresponsible manner. He has obviously set out to inflame the situation by presenting a document that is of unproven factual content and telling the councillors that this is what actually happened. It is hoped that Mr Jenkins might be asked to explain himself in council, although Borderline doesn't hold out much hope of an adequate explanation as his performance in answering questions put to him by councillors seems to test him somewhat.

The North Albury branch of the Rotary Club of Australia and its president, Barry Bennett, have behaved less than honourably throughout the whole Fromholtz saga. Mr Bennett gives the impression that he of a superior type. All-knowing and when with the few words he has condescended to impart to those opposed to the childcare centre, he has shown no interest in residents' complaints. I wonder if other such clubs in Albury such as Apex and Lions would show such an elitist, arrogant view of the local residents concerns if they were engaging in such a project. We think not.

Throughout this whole story the Albury City Council, Rotary, and the Childcare Centre have adopted a belligerent and completely unprofessional approach to community consultation. Is it any wonder that some residents are still angry about the development? Ask anyone who drives by the site and see if they agree that it's an inappropriate site for the development. Like the 81 percent who in a Win Poll disagreed with the development in the first place. Borderline is confident that such a ratio would still reflect Albury residents' opinion to the appropriateness of the site development.

Mr Jenkins concluded his memo that 'as requested by Rotary and the childcare centre a meeting is being organised to discuss the matter. He also said that the city will make it quite clear that these incidents are a matter for the police. The opposition to the childcare centre has been essentially a right of every citizen to voice their opinion. Abuse is a very subjective word. Is this a matter for the police too? I know some people sensibilities are wounded when a harsh word is said against them; poor Amanda's sensibilities are so disturbed, but in Amanda's case it's all some theatrical ploy as part of her woman as victim guise to garner sympathy (and presumably a vote or two) with Albury residents. Weeping crocodile tears is as natural to Cr Duncan-Strelec as it is to other people breathing.

Rotary have behaved in such a conceited and aloof manner that they have very little sympathy in South Albury. Should they expect silence in the future - have a nice day and all that. Well why should they? Of course Borderline would never condone violence but when people like Jenkins and Cr Duncan-Strelec overplay it - they attempt to slur the whole South Albury Community. Jenkins wildly inaccurate statement that there was significant theft and vandalism at the site is an allegation that was played to hilt to suggest criminality in those opposed to the development on Fromholtz Park.

James Jenkins should indeed seek the advice of the General Manager about how to do things a little less obtrusively, with a bit more subtlety. Perhaps he has been counselled already as by yesterday afternoon (Friday November 14) - no one at Albury City Council was prepared to comment on the matter. I wonder why?