It was surprising to see Jeff Corbett (NH 13/6) abandon his cultivated style of resident curmudgeon in praise of someone who aligns with his views, namely Helen Cummings of the East End.
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But I fear he has disturbed a hornet's nest.
Rarely do members of Joy Cummings' family comment publicly on local politics. Most of us know, from Joy's experience, that it can be a difficult, thankless job at times. Using the Cummings name to push contemporary issues would seem unsavoury, if not unfair to current incumbents.
Imagine our dismay when Jeff Corbett invoked Joy's name, "confidently" conjecturing that "she would be an enthusiastic supporter of Supercars".
This from a journalist who rarely wrote a kind word about her, who certainly didn't know her and who more readily aligned himself with those who opposed her.
So Jeff, let me inform you that among her large family who knew her well, we believe no such thing. In fact we are appalled by your audacity. Joy's 13 years in local government, almost 10 as Lord Mayor, tell us plainly what motivated her.
Foremost was her caring for community, listening to those suburban voices and building policy around their needs. Let's add to this her determination to reinvent Newcastle as a clean green city, supporting infrastructure for thriving commerce and industry, preserving the best of heritage, promoting justice for our first peoples and celebrating our diverse cultures.
She had excellent relations with the Eastenders (before her marriage she was one), and was proud of the delivery of the Foreshore and Pacific Parks and the Newcastle Beach pavilion. She caught buses for most of her life and never held a driver's licence. Fast cars, I don't think so.
And while I'm on a roll Jeff, I cannot pass on some of your other pronouncements, namely that Supercars impinges on life in the East End for "a few days each year". Try eight or nine weeks, just as the weather warms and people venture out.
Your insults that Eastenders are unlikely to attend Knights games, horse races, or the Show seem oblivious to the fact that all of these events occur within purpose built spaces. Car racing three metres from front doors would be a bridge too far most people.
I tried to like Supercars. But I didn't see a race at all. There is nowhere to overtake safely so pit stops seemed to be the only time the lead changed. The drivers must hate it.
I think it will die from lack of interest and people from Newcastle and beyond will have their parks and beaches back again, looking beautiful in Spring. And the Eastenders will continue to rejoice in the festivals, fireworks, harbour events, concerts and markets and, with "generosity of spirit", welcome the diners, walkers, cyclists, picnickers, skateboarders, fishers, swimmers and surfers who have always visited this unique and beautiful place.
If Alice Springs can draw thousands of visitors for a boat race in a dry river bed, Newcastle can come up with something more inclusive and less intrusive than Supercars.
