Council representation 'average'
IF IT cares about small business, it's got a funny way of showing it.
That's the feeling from Grafton Chamber of Commerce members who this week decided to write to Clarence Valley Council and express their disappointment at the lack of representation at last week's luncheon.
In what was considered a coup for Grafton, Federal Minister for Small Business Brendan O'Conner came to town to hear a warts-and-all report on the local business situation.
"The New South Wales chamber did a good job organising it, Janelle Saffin did well, but council was average," Grafton chamber president Jeremy Challacombe said.
Cr Karen Toms attended, but the chamber argued this would have been in her capacity as a business owner.
Mayor Richie Williamson, who was on sick leave last week, disagreed.
"It is not an accurate reflection of council's attitude to small business," Cr Williamson said.
"We have many opportunities to put the case to Federal politicians and we take as much opportunity as we can. We did have a councillor at the function."
