Wife of Ron Posselt describes devastating impact of dismissal

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His wife Cathy fronted the meeting to have her say to administrator John Turner and interim general manager Glenn Handford.

In an emotional speech (part of which is published below), she described the devastating impact on the Posselt family and also said she was ashamed and disgusted about how things happened.

“Ron applied for the interim general manager’s role.

“He was extremely keen and thought he had the skills to be able to progress the merger and to continue the tireless work he’s done for this community.

“As Glenn knows, the three general managers (from Great Lakes, Greater Taree and Gloucester); Danny Green, Ron and Glenn, had to go through a recruitment firm and apply for their own jobs, which entailed various testing and going to Sydney to do scenarios.

“Ron rang up for the results of his assessment and found out he achieved outstanding in every area of the assessment, so he was well and truly capable.

“When he wasn’t chosen as interim general manager he was gutted to be honest, absolutely gutted, but he wanted to continue his work for the community.”

She went on to address the meeting about a phone call to their home from Mr Handford the night before the State government’s proclamation.

“Glenn actually stated on the phone, in my house while I was listening, that if he was chosen to be interim general manager that he would make Ron and Danny Green interim general managers.

“Now in hindsight, I wonder how you had that information.”

When Mr Posselt was not chosen for the role, she said he went to Forster on the Monday to visit Mr Handford and say he would like to help the change and do the change management for the merger.

“He has over 25 years experience as a change manager, and he has four different councils, including one council that he assisted in a merger process.

“So he was more than qualified to assist in helping the merger goes smoothly.

“However at that point you told him to go back to his desk at Taree and pack up his desk.

“He rang me 10 minutes after you had asked him to do that and you can imagine his feelings and mine at hearing he had to go back and pack his desk within two days of the proclamation.

“So, the following day he went and saw John Turner to appeal the decision that Glenn had made, and John said, ‘I support what Glenn’s decision is. There is no role for you in this merged council’.”

Cathy said Ron had brought with him his resume, to show Mr Turner the evidence he had that he was actually qualified to help MidCoast Council with the merger.

“He was enthusiastic and said to me I can do this, I’m going to help this new council. I have so much knowledge of the area but, John, you didn’t even look at his resume and Ron was devastated.

“You didn’t even take the time to look at his experience. You just supported Glenn; there was no position for him. So the administrator confirmed Ron’s dismissal without reason.”

She said Mr Posselt had a wealth of knowledge and had worked tirelessly to make Taree and the surrounding areas a wonderful place to live and had so many projects and visions for the future.

“My question to both of you is why was the general manager of Greater Taree City Council dismissed when he has over 25 years experience in change management, has worked as an executive leader across four councils and has had previous experience in council amalgamations?

“I would like an answer to why did you sack my husband when he had so much to offer?

“You personally Glenn, with your process of merging these councils together, you know nothing about this region.

“Ron has a wealth of information that he could have been a valued member of the executive of MidCoast Council, but I guess he’s not part of your National Party. I am ashamed and disgusted at what has happened.”

Mr Turner and Mr Handford were not obligated to answer questions raised during the meeting, at which a number of people spoke against the amalgamation.