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The Giddings Government’s refusal to allow South Hobart’s old State School to be retained for community use is (some observers believe) an appalling case of intransigence.


But this short-sighted attitude also brings into focus the approach of another level of government, in this particular case the Hobart City Council.


The question should be asked: are our city worthies doing enough to help community groups?


In a Mercury article on his lord mayoral aspirations, serving alderman Damon Thomas said the council had a very poor relationship with progress associations and that he’s keen to promote his community connections. Certainly he’s been very active in helping the South Hobart Progress Association with its campaign to see the old school reopened as a community asset, serving many groups.


A new face for the Hobart election is Leo Foley and he has an admirable record of community service to back his bid for an aldermanic seat. He’s been president of the Council of Hobart Community Associations for five years, and until he relinquished the position last year served a similar five-year term as president of the Lenah Valley Community Association.


He gave that up to form the Hobart Ratepayers Association, which aims to concentrate on broader issues of concern to all Hobart residents and ratepayers. He’s keen to promote citizen participation and consultation, declaring: “As we have grown we have excluded too many people.”


Leo shares a first name with another strong critic of what’s not happening in Tasmania, Mercury weekend columnist Leo Schofield, who fired a stinging broadside over the Government’s decision to sell the old State School.