David Haratsis - Candidate for Douglas Shire Mayor

27/03/2024

THE END....

And so it has come to this.
270 votes. Or, in a two horse race, 135 people changing their mind.
Not bad for a largely unknown bloke who nominated at the last minute!
The result really demonstrates the desire for change in the Shire, and I hope those elected to council take this on board.
I'd like to thank everyone who supported my campaign. I'd also like to thank those who disagreed with me, but had the decency to put their name to their words.
I can't say I will miss the anonymous posters, fake profiles and corflute thieves, but it was otherwise an enjoyable experience.

Congratulations to those who were elected. It is fair to say the eyes of the Shire are firmly upon you. I wish you well.

Thank you, and until next time......

12/03/2024

POLITICAL HIT JOB?

Hi everyone,

Today Newsport Daily published a Letter to the Editor from "Name withheld by request" ("Snowy on the Trams", my grandfather would have called the writer).
In my opinion, the letter was quite negative towards me, and I think if you're going to have a crack at someone, at least do it to their face. Newsport Daily were good enough to allow me to write a letter in reply. The text is below, and will be published tomorrow.

Dear Editor

I refer to the Letter to the Editor you published today at 12pm AEST.
This letter is extremely politically motivated in my opinion, but was published anonymously.
It variously refers to me not having a sufficient grasp of local issues, and to my policies wasting ratepayer funds on non-viable ideas.

I wish to state the following:
1. anyone engaging in political discourse in the media should have the courage to put their name to their letters;
2. so far during this campaign, I have been trolled by fake facebook profiles, denigrated by anonymous posters and had around 10 corflutes damaged or “misplaced” - this letter seems an extension of that behaviour;
3. unlike many candidates, I actually have policies - quite a number of them, as NewsPort has previously published. I am not running a campaign on public transport alone, nor am I just providing bland motherhood statements about “working together”, “change” or “transparency";
4. as I’ve said before, you don’t need to have been to the moon to know its up there - local knowledge is but one part of being an elected representative; in my opinion, it is the skills that person brings to the role that is more important. Does the Qantas Chairman know how to fly an A380? No. Does the Defence Minister know how to fly a fighter jet? No. These people are educated and intelligent, make sure they are surrounded by the right people who give them the best information so they can then make the right decisions. To me, the Douglas Shire needs more people with outside experience to bring a different perspective

I stand by everything I say publicly and put my name and my family’s name to it.

I wish your other letter writers had the same courage of their convictions.

Kind regards

David Haratsis
Candidate for Douglas Shire Mayor
2 Reef Street, Port Douglas

11/03/2024

Anyone who has attended any of the Q and As will have heard me speak about council's appalling communication strategy (which in fairness is improving, but certainly is not A grade!).
If you would like to view today's council meeting online, the last meeting of the current council, this is the text you are met with - there is a typo in the final line ("accessed") and references to social distancing and being Covid safe.....in 2024......!:

An Ordinary Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, 12 March 2024, at 10am. The agenda and minutes can be downloaded below as they become available below.
Council Meetings are now open to the public. There will be a maximum of 10 people allowed (due to size of the room and to allow for social distancing) and will not need to pre-register.
In line with government regulations, council requires that all guests register (to assist with contract tracing) their details prior to entering the Meeting Room.
Council staff will rotate in and out of the room to ensure the COVID safe capacity is adhered to.
The meeting will be live-streamed online and can be access by clicking here.

11/03/2024

REPORT A RASCAL

Hi everyone.

It has been brought to my attention by many people that a number of my corflutes have been suffering. A number of them have had their stakes broken, or have “flown away”.
You’ve all heard about isolated showers. Apparently in the Douglas Shire, we have isolated wind gusts. The kind of gusts that tear apart one sign, while the one next to it remains standing and unaffected.
A truly bizarre weather phenomenon.
If you see any signs down, please let me know so they can be repaired.
And a final call out for volunteers to attend the polling stations on Saturday and hand out my flyers. I can guarantee a t-shirt with my mug on it! Please pm me.

08/03/2024

Hi everyone

Anyone in Mossman wanting to say hello, I'll be at the Bowls Club from 7pm with some councillor candidates, and then Hughie's for a bite to eat.
Sunday, I'll be at Daintree Siesta from 2.30pm for a Daintree Coast 360 Q&A.
Saturday will be kids sport, weather permitting!

Have a good weekend.

07/03/2024

UPDATE - they’ve gone anonymous now, right after my last post. Who’da thunk it!

The ECQ is watching……

07/03/2024

THE RUMOUR FILE - DAY 2 - WHACK A MOLE

Yesterday we outed fake profile #1 - Trixie Frenchman. Today's award goes to Joan Waddington, another newly created facebook account under the name of no-one on the electoral roll.

Just to assuage both "Joan" and "Trixie"s concerns/rumours, I am not affiliated with any person or party. I am running as an independent. Whether or not Mayor Michael Kerr supports my running for mayor or not is entirely a matter for him.

And I am sure you are aware that publishing a false statement of fact regarding the personal character of an election candidate is an offence in Queensland.

Are these two attack pooches the best the DSSG et al can throw at me.....? For shame.

Keep on the lookout people, they are getting desperate......

06/03/2024

Hello everyone.
We have a very artistic Shire here, from the Clink Theatre, to Bodies in Motion dancing, to Lynda's music lessons and concerts, to some amazing indigenous artwork.
Arts Nexus has championed and supported artistic endeavours in FNQ for 30 years. They asked for a statement of support from Mayoral candidates - I was the only candidate for the Douglas Shire to do so. Please view the link here - I believe it is very important to support the arts, especially encouraging kids to get involved:

Queensland’s local government elections are on 16 March 2024 Full details here Congratulations to all those community members who have put their hand up for the forthcoming elections. At Arts Nexu…

06/03/2024

The Rumour File

The rumour mill runs fast in a small community, so I thought I would start calling some of this nonsense out. Nonsense dreamed up by people with ulterior motives, and nothing better to do.

Today's dish of tripe is that if I am elected Mayor, I will immediately install retiring Mayor Michael Kerr as CEO of Douglas Shire Council.

Um, no. Not only is this false, it shows an absolute misunderstanding of council decisions, governance and workplace law. For the record, I have not spoken to Michael about any role in council.

Good try, rumour mill. Do better next time.

If you hear any rumours about me out there and want to test them, please post below.

And if you are concerned about anything you hear prior to voting, please take a look at this fact sheet prepared by ECQ - they are getting desperate out there........:

05/03/2024

ICYMI: Here is an interview of me by Michael Warren of Newsport Daily, prior to Sunday’s candidate event in Mossman.

A video interview with David Haratsis.

05/03/2024

Hi everyone.

I've just had some nice flyers printed up by On The Spot Signs in Port Douglas. I'm on the lookout for any volunteers to help out on election day by being at the polling stations for 2-3 hour shifts and handing out flyers etc. If you are able to help, please send me a DM when you get a chance with preferred polling place and time on Saturday 16 March.

Thanks!

22/02/2024

For anyone over in Mossy, I’ll be at the Bowls Club from 4-5pm tomorrow for a few frothies. Come and say g’day!