Lightforce Closes Its Doors Mr George’S Son, Stuart, Is the Com- Nationals Mps Themselves
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THE BYRON SHIRE Billy Cart Volume 28 #48 Tuesday, May 13, 2014 Derby Phone 02 6684 1777 Fax 02 6684 1719 [email protected] [email protected] www.echo.net.au IF YOU NEED VIOLENCE TO ENFORCE YOUR IDEAS, YOUR IDEAS CAB p18 –19 23,200 copies every week AUDIT ARE WORTHLESS – #BENTLEYBLOCKADE Inside Erosion of Daniel The Arts Best damn gig guide Game of Byron Shire this civil liberties Champagne are alive in for the best damn Throwns Council Notices week – p15 interview – p20 Byron – p24 gigs – p26 – p40–41 Page 39 Local MP supports Rail trail her govt on gas or bust Hans Lovejoy gasco’s communications relations manager, she declined to comment. Again state parliament was in dis- Ms Cusack also declined to com- array last week with resignations, ment on whether she thought the slush funds, bribe allegations and fossil fuel industry unfairly infl u- dodgy appointments debated. ences politics and would not say But one other item stood out. whether she supported lobbyist or Lennox Head-based upper donation reform. house MLC Catherine Cusack But when asked who she sup- (Liberal) lashed out at comments ported – either the protesting Bent- by Labor’s Walt Secord in parlia- ley residents or her government – ment aft er Mr Secord said Th omas she paused and replied, ‘I support George (Nationals member for Lis- my government’s position.’ more) is ‘a fi erce opponent of the Despite being cautious with her Bentley blockade’. words, Ms Cusack did elaborate on how the expansion of mining has become a hot-button issue. ‘The It was a pleasant family stroll along part of the proposed rail trail for The Space Cowboy, Zoe La’more and mining licences were issued by Scarlet Showbiz Wild. Photo Jeff ‘Spaced, And Yes, A Cowboy Too’ Dawson [former disgraced Labor MP] Ian McDonald. I can’t recall how many To celebrate the fi rst anniversary that the Northern everyone can use. Dozens of such conversions through- throughout NSW but there are a lot. Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) committee was formed, a out Australia have already proven to be very benefi cial ‘When I saw the map I was very fundraising event will be held Saturday May 24 at the to their host communities.’ surprised. He took upfront pay- Byron Entertainment Centre/Circus Arts. Th e event will include a meal, live music from Tim ments from mining companies for ‘Ten years ago the railway line from Murwillumbah Shanasy and Sarah Field, DJ Manie, pop up circus acts, the licences, so this has become their to Casino closed,’ says co-organiser Marie Lawton. an appearance by the Space Cowboy, a slide and fi lm legal right. But we have changed that, ‘And one year ago a committee was formed to resur- show, guest speakers from NRRT and fabulous prizes. For so now that money is not upfront.’ rect the beautiful corridor for a rail trail, something that bookings visit www.circusarts.com.au/byronbay/railtrail. Lennox Head-based upper house Ms Cusack was also cagey on MLC Catherine Cusack (Liberal) whether there is any public sup- Mr Secord also told parliament port for Metgasco’s planned Bentley operation, apart from Liberal and Lightforce closes its doors Mr George’s son, Stuart, is the com- Nationals MPs themselves. munity relations manager for Met- In a move that has shocked and sur- puter distributor,’ he said. resellers around Australia, Sagaro ‘I would personally like to have gasco. ‘Th is is the bloke who does prised the local Apple users’ com- ‘Th is new owner had no interest says he has found that quite a few seen a diff erent approach and wish spin for Metgasco,’ he said. munity, Lightforce Computers, an in continuing the wholesale distribu- are in similar situations with the there had been better engagement That prompted Ms Cusack to iconic Byron business for the last tion of Apple’s products. new owners. earlier in this,’ she said. call out across the fl oor, ‘withdraw 22 years, had to close its doors and ‘It’s a case of big fi sh being swal- that disgraceful smear.’ Bentley red alert: May 19 wind up trading this past week. Other Apple resellers lowed up by bigger fish, and we When asked for clarifi cation on Blockade organisers say over 700 Sagaro, the founder and manag- minnows were left as a dying spe- why it was a smear, Ms Cusack told The Echo face similar situations police are set to descend on the ing director, told the sud- cies within the tech food chain’, Sa- The Echo, ‘Th e imputation made was ‘However, this was not mentioned community anti-CSG blockade at den decision was due to economic garo said. ‘In addition, small Apple- to smear Mr George’s reputation factors beyond Lightforce’s control. until they advised me they would specifi c shops like ours have seen Bentley on or around May 19. and integrity.’ However when asked ‘The decision was made when terminate Apple product shipments several income streams lost over the Protectors are asked to partici- if it was a confl ict of interest that Mr Lightforce’s Apple product distrib- the next day.’ recent years as Apple kept “changing pate in non-violent direct action. George’s son, Stuart George, is Met- uter was acquired by another com- In phone calls to other Apple continued on page 2 Local News North Coast news daily: netdaily.net.au Lightforce closes continued from page 1 Bentley delegation have the rules” for all of us.’ timber windows & doors He says this included all Apple soft ware going to cloud their say in parliament distribution (App Store, Ado- be Cloud, soft ware as a ser- A group of Bentley residents vice); increased competition that live near Lismore trav- from the chain stores; the elled to Sydney last week to prevalence of online discount speak to politicians about stores, as well as the costs of their concerns over uncon- running a business that were ventional gas exploration in going up each year. their area. ‘When it all comes down Former Byron Shire may- to it’, Sagaro mused, ‘it’s the or and now upper house wonderful staff that I had MLC, Jan Barham (Greens), told The Echo, ‘I was very Quality windows & doors since 1946 to let go which has hurt me the most. I had been told by pleased to be able to assist the Jeremy Buckingham (Greens), with Bentley residents Meg Phone 6621 2734 www.hamptonandlarsson.com.au many of our customers that delegation while they were in Nielsen and Rosemary Joseph and Jan Barham (Greens) Lightforce’s staff lineup was the parliament and encour- the best, consistent service age other MPs to hear the lo- nity opposition to CSG on the ‘He said at the time: “We that they had experienced cals’ fears about their future if north coast and the requests should never be ashamed of in the years that Lightforce Metgasco proceeds.’ for him to review the situation. listening to our conscience has traded. So much so that ‘Th e Christian Democrats ‘Many people have con- or to our community – in es- Lightforce had just been and Robert Borsack from the cerns that the Bentley explo- sence this is why we are here.” nominated for a small busi- Shooters and Fishers Party ration approval is the trojan ness excellence award. did meet with the Bentley horse of industrial-scale gas Licences should ‘I would like to take this delegation and respectfully production for the north coast. be reversed opportunity to thank all the heard their side of the story. ‘Th e community are savvy customers that have supported ‘Many ALP and coalition enough to realise that it’s cru- ‘Premier Baird should listen us, shopped at Lightforce and members also met with the cial to stop this now, so that to the community and reverse were loyal to a local business. Bentley farmers, but it was the sustainable future that lo- the licence approval and call ‘Th ese are the good people extremely disappointing that cals want is possible. off the police intervention on a that make Byron Shire a great the premier did not.’ ‘As I raised in an adjourn- peaceful, democratic response place to live. Ms Barham said that many ment speech last week, Mr to an unwanted industrialisa- ‘You’d never think your lo- MPs raised questions about Baird’s inaugural speech in tion of the north coast. cal Apple store would be part the use of police against the 2007 stated that he expected ‘This issue will be a test of a multinational’s larger protectors. the Liberal Party to lead the for the new premier and the agenda, but sadly, sometimes ‘Th e new premier is now restoration of a community- government and will impact it’s true.’ aware of the broad commu- based party in this place. on next year’s election.’ Absolut Vodka Mullum to Bruns by boat with mirth $36 Story & photo Eve Jeff ery Sunday May 25 is the date to BOTTLESHOP put in your diary for the fi ft h annual Mullum 2 Bruns Pad- dle. Th e event starts at Herit- age Park, Mullumbimby, and ends at the Terrace Park in Brunswick Heads. With a broad array of Brancott events and activities, the Pinot Gris & paddle is a huge favourite Sauv Blanc for both families and visitors $ 10 alike with paddle challenges Kim and Darren from the Ocean Shores Tavern on a Mullum VB Stubbies Sapporo Stubbies and competitive events. $ 2 Bruns practice run.