Over the past 12 months I have been a permanent infatuation for Cr Faulkner and his column. Despite his constant errors and omissions I have been reluctant to indulge in what are generally very misleading personal comments and opinions cast into the public arena.
Two weeks ago Bills column made a number of claims about councillors incomes and 'days off”, Cr Faulkner has quoted himself correctly that he would never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Fact 1: Cr Faulkner asked Yvonne Tatton (Manager: Democracy Services) for this information however the expense claims I have made and are recorded therein are for a 30 month period not 12 months as reported.
Fact 2: Yvonne Tatton tried to stop my notice of motion to Councillors to try and stop some Councillors double dipping by taking ratepayer paid commissioner payments while already being paid as a councillor.
Fact 3: I am reported as having had 37 day 'holidays” is not true, the fact is I was absent on only 5 council days.
I have been recorded as absent from meetings that I am not required to attend and that is why the numbers are wrong as reported by Cr Faulkner (refer para. 2 above). There are a number of Councillors who have made false statements about me in official circles, these statements will be revealed in due course and at the appropriate time.
The purpose of these statements has been to attempt to discredit me personally because I have asked the wrong questions of 'Team Crosby”.
I will continue to ask the questions that they do not want to hear nor that they want to answer regardless of their opinion or desires.
Hayden Evans

TCC responds: All Elected Members' expense claims are public information and are available on Council's website. The information provided to Elected Members which was used in Cr Faulkner's column was for the 2009/10 financial year.Cr Evan's applied for leave from 7 September to 13 October 2009. Ms Tatton advised Cr Evans to submit his Notice of Motion to meet the Council's pre-agreed rules re timing as set out in Council's Standing Orders for Meetings. She never ‘tried to stop' it.