merry christmas casino - vandals hands off!

Hi Cowcockie,

Thanks for letting us know about the Christmas tree the other day. It looks fantastic, and the first one ever in town as reported here?

Below is the Editorial piece and story from the Casino times about the tree and the mistery surveillance camera doner to help secure the site. Apprantly a local cab Co. donated. Well done.

Have a great lunch time reading everyone (if you unfortunately happened to be stuck in front of a PC).

Cheers.

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IS Richmond Valley Council right to accept sponsorship of a Christmas tree - and the installation of a surveillance camera in the Casino Central Business District - without first tabling the details for consideration at a full council meeting under public scrutiny?

First came the announcement council would get sponsorship of the tree from Metgasco which has interests in the coal seam gas industry in the Casino district.

Council is in the process of determining a position statement on CSG. It is expected to make it known before Christmas.

The tree's lights were turned on last Thursday night during the Casino markets in the CBD. The following day CSG protesters turned up with their own decorations. Shopkeepers told them to take them elsewhere.

The council on Monday announced that a private donor had provided a surveillance camera which would protect the Christmas tree and the immediate CBD area from vandalism.

As 'spy' cameras intrude on people's privacy, should this offer of surveillance have gone before council for decision at an open meeting under public scrutiny?

The council is the local government authority and no doubt all councillors and the public would like a say on whether camera surveillance in the CBD is acceptable.

UPDATE, Tuesday, December 11, from Richmond Valley Council: Just a quick note to let you know the 'anonymous donor' of our community Christmas tree surveillance camera, as mentioned in yesterday's media release, is Ashley Clark-Smith of Global Fleet Care and Casino Cabs.

PLAYING up in Casino's CBD just became harder, according to the Richmond Valley Council.

Council's general manager John Walker said an anonymous donor purchased and arranged for the installation of a web-based surveillance camera at the Mafeking intersection - a focal point of special events such as the recent lighting of the community Christmas tree.

Mr Walker said the camera would be operating 24/7 and visitors to the CBD could view footage in the window of the Country IT store.

He said surveillance cameras were just as effective as alarm systems and the presence of one on the Christmas tree should help to discourage vandalism.

"One advantage is that if vandals know there is a camera there, it can be a deterrent," Mr Walker said.

Mr Walker said video images captured by the camera would be stored, meaning they could be used to prosecute crimes and verify reports of crimes.

"The community has embraced its first-ever Christmas tree and we want to ensure it remains standing in all its glory throughout the holiday period," he said.

"If there's any criminal activity in the vicinity of the tree, there's a fairly good chance it will be recorded."

The Casino Christmas tree is sponsored by Metgasco.

Source: The Casino Times
http://www.thecasinotimes.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=21&Itemid=26&limitstart=14