I should’ve known that these days a joke or a prank can quickly become an act of terror, via social media. I therefore unreservedly apologise to Mayor King and his partner and anyone else traumatised by an event on May 20.
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Having dropped my granddaughter at the hub for dancing I parked my car in the Telstra car park. I usually always have a small chain saw on board in case a tree or limb is blocking our road. I had no idea there was a demonstration against the removal of the camphors the following day.
Emotions were overflowing, Green against Green.
Even though all councilors had given the thumbs up, Dominic King was copping the flak. I said a few words in support of retaining the three old trees. A brave act on the day, the only councilor in sight, Dominic and his partner were having a coffee at the old Foster garage.
Regrettably, for a dare and a mug of coffee, I grabbed my small saw and with a few others walked up the street and stopped 15m from where Dominic was seated outside the cafe, there was no one else outside the cafe. I called out, sorry for this Dominic, they both stood up and walked up the street and reportedly settled down at the Purple Carrot.
We did not move or attempt to follow, and with no one about I started the saw, 2 or 3 revs and back down to Church St. Unbeknown, there was a woman and a couple of kids parked at the kerb 3m away.
All for a $4.50 mug of coffee. Maybe caught up in the spirit of the moment, but a mindless stupid prank, with no sinister motive.
I speak my mind, but have never or would not contemplate threatening anyone with a violent act.
That afternoon I spoke with Dominic, apologised, and he said he was feeling a bit raw over recent events, and we would talk down the track, as we have done on numerous occasions over the years.
I view Dominic as a non-confrontational middle of the road sort of fellow with a genuine feeling for how he sees our shire should progress.
To his credit he chose not to build a mountain out of a molehill and move on, but has been under pressure from someone to pursue the matter (get a life).
The Facebook monster, with no accountability is a greater threat, than the practical joker. Too late to change some things but still young enough to learn from a mistake.
Credibility always number one, fact before fiction, truth over untruth, and being able to accept getting it wrong. From my perspective with technology the new God, like the Dodo, sense of humor, freedom of speech, and individuality, will be lost forever.
