The Saint: Voters challenged by the great unknown

Council elections are often a matter of 'who do you trust'? This time around it was a case of 'who do you know?'

There was widespread feeling across the community that in this month's election there were a majority of candidates who in everyday life were relative unknowns, a situation not helped by lengthy delays in the election cycle and the disruption of COVID lockdowns that limited the opportunity for the getting to-know-you campaigns that we're accustomed to.

But in the midst of all this confusion decisions have been made for better or for worse and a mixture of old and new faces will be gracing the hallowed den where civility and constant agreement come together. (Just kidding a bit there folks).

The results did not always go as many as predicted and such are the mysterious ways of the state-wide voting system that a sizeable proportion of the new Council was elected on preferences.

Anyway we must congratulate anyone willing to give up so much time to the cause and wish the victors - and Greater Lithgow itself - well for the next four years before we get another chance to either sing praises or vent our fury at the ballot box.

WE hope it wasn't an omen. Within an hour of the polling booths closing in our Council election Lithgow's temperature plunged from a balmy 25 degrees Saturday to a decidedly chilly 15.

SEEMS old pubs really are hot items in real estate lately. In quick succession we've seen the sale of The Gaudry (aka The Lithgow) and the Capertee hotel and the former Exchange and colonial era Donnybrook, neither of which have traded as pubs in a long time.

The Exchange has had a happy life with tenants outside the world of booze and poker machines but The Brook of recent times has been a private residence. Add into the mix the sale of the Theatre Royal and a block of flats in Sandford Avenue and we're on a roll when it comes to big ticket items.

A great way to sweep away the cobwebs of a COVID year from Hell is to get out an enjoy the spectacle of Christmas lights popping up everywhere across the district. Some worthy early efforts we've spotted are around the King Street area, the former Mort Street convent, the official decorations in Cook Plaza and the Blue Fox restaurant extravaganza that will take a lot of beating in the commercial premises category. We'll report more sightings next week.

FEELING the season of goodwill? Drop up to the Mine Museum and donate something to the 26^th annual motorcycle fraternity toy run supporting local Christmas appeals. COVID means only new toys (for all ages) or non perishable festive food lines can be accepted. Get to it.

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