I WOULD like to take an opportunity to respond to the questions for candidates put forward by "Concerned Citizen".

1) I have no alliances with any other candidate or political party, nor do I intend to form one.

I totally oppose swapping preferences and see this as a compromise and lack of integrity.

I will vote where my research and conscience lead me.

2) I believe that one should do their own homework regarding decision making.

One of my areas of expertise is having a major in Library and Information Science and that knowing all the answers is not the issue but knowing where to find them is.

One should still be guided by those who have expertise in specific areas but not blindly follow them. (This also concerns Q4)

3) Whether or not a return to divisions is a good idea, the fact is we have what we have at the moment.

A candidate from within any part of the region should have the integrity to be an advocate for all the parts of the region.

We need to get past the "I'm from Stanthorpe, Warwick, Killarney, Allora etc" mentality.

It's petty and does us no good.

4) Q5 is not for me to comment on apart from saying, criticism is easy to give especially when you don't put your name to it and you don't have any positive suggestions (as one often sees in the press). Several people have spoken to me with really positive suggestions on how some issues such as the budget could be resolved.

I have checked out these suggestions, which unfortunately are not viable.

I respect those, who have at least, offered sensible solutions that were worth looking into.

The question of "disunity" is a criticism often levelled at the current council.

The term "unity" is a much misunderstood one.

It does not mean everyone must agree on a proposal.

What it means is, in a democratic process a conclusion is reached based on a majority.

Those who voted against and were defeated by the numbers must accept the conclusion of the majority and not then go about criticising the decision and the people who supported it.

That is democracy and unity!

- David Brailey,

Intending SDRC council candidate