“We’re keeping count,” one said.  “I think he was in six times the other day.”

Not sure if that’s a slight exaggeration, but it is true Mayor Keith appears in the local rag quite regularly.

And there is a very good reason for that - and one of which we should all be thankful.

I’m not president of his fan club or anything like that, but I do believe credit should be given where credit is due.

I know I have mentioned this before.

We are lucky to have a community leader who is so readily available and accessible.

The Mayor gives an amazing amount of his time to his community.

Just about every local group regularly asks him to attend a function of some sort or other.

It might be to chair an annual meeting, to speak, to present a cheque....whatever, and no matter now minor it might appear, the Mayor generally will attend.

And if not, he will arrange for a councillor to represent him.

It’s not often you will get a local Mayor who will arrange to have the Golden Yabby ready for the Elvis Festival trotting meeting; who will don ABBA or Elvis wigs and outfits to greet visitors and join in the fun; swim 50 laps to raise funds for charity; get up early in the morning and flag-off rally drivers....the list is endless.

And that is on top of the many regional organisations he is Chair of or has a senior role with - inland rail, Newell Highway, Centroc, Life Eduction (and there’s plenty of others).

Not to mention his duties with council itself.

Yes, we are fortunate that he is willing to give so much of himself.

So logically, as we attend most local functions, the Mayor is always there.

We get photographs at these events and it is generally the Mayor who is the main focus.

Indeed, locals feel privileged and insist they have their photograph taken with him to acknowledge his presence at their function.

So yes, the Mayor does appear in the paper quite regularly - but there are many other occasions where he is present and asks not to be featured!

We could actually have his mug in even more!

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Whew....who would be a politician?

Poor old Barry O’Farrell is the latest to feel the blowtorch.

It was quite a sensational resignation this week by our former State Premier.

I have no leaning either way in politics, but I feel rather sorry for him.

He was doing a pretty good job and had quite high standards.

He may have received this potent bottle of wine, but I doubt it really was accepted with any sort of alternative motive in mind.

He probably receives hundreds of gifts and doesn’t even know what they all are.

And he probably writes thank you notes to many of the contributors without really knowing too much about them.

Yes, I am quite naive but trusting.

But I believe he acted properly, possibly too trusting in other people  as well.

It’s a measure of the man that he was prepared to chuck in his job because of his principles.

Seems a pity really, he’s lost all that weight, and now his job.

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The reduction in local pool fees, especially for kids, looks like being quite popular.

Council has decided that reducing the admission (by almost half!) might encourage more to utilise this fantastic facility.

We have received a few comments about the decision - all in favour (as you would expect I suppose, with a drop in costs, rather than an increase).

The following is one view which might provide some encouragement to council who wasn’t quite sure which way to attack the situation.

“Better to lower the price and have full pool facility than hike it up and families cannot afford to use it ...and we are lucky to have a top notch pool and beautiful grounds.”

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And finally, to the annonymous and generous  person who sent me two white clothes pegs in the mail - thanks heaps.

They will come in very handy as I am getting well down on that colour in the peg basket.

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What a wonderful time of the year.

A four day break (for some), anticipated beautiful weather, plenty to do.

Enjoy the weekend. May it be meaningful, happy and safe.

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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

‘A good time to keep your mouth shut is . . . when you're in deep water.’