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I have been Secretary of the Association only since March but I felt it might be helpful if I were to give a short report, and the Chairman has agreed.
One thing that has struck me is the way that everyone on the Committee works together for the good our of Community. This has been without any party political bias and simply an effort to get things done on the few occasions they have been brought to our attention by members of the Association. It seems sad to me that so few matters are raised by members and it is only if things come to the personal attention of the Committee members that we know of any concerns there are.
Having said that, I have been somewhat surprised when I have listened to reports from the Councils where it has apparently been said that our Committee members are party political which is against the constitution of the Association. In fact, I had attended several meetings before I discovered that some of the Committee were actually members of a political party that, I think, speaks for itself.
When I was working in Local Government, and was studying for my Diploma in Municipal Administration, it was stressed that there was a difference between politics and party politics. Politics is exactly what we should be taking part in - aspects of government or administration simply for the good of the community. Party politics is - to quote Collins Dictionary - politics conducted through, by or for parties, as opposed to other interests or the public good. Today, hopefully, we would feel that even party politics are conducted for the public good. So really whether we are political or party political our aim is the same. We are working for the good of our local community, and long may it continue.
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