John has council in his sights

Berwick resident John Hompot has written a booklet and is hoping to start a support group for people having trouble dealing with Casey Council.Berwick resident John Hompot has written a booklet and is hoping to start a support group for people having trouble dealing with Casey Council.

CASEY Council watch out.
That is the call from Berwick resident John Hompot, who is trying to form a support group for Casey residents having issues with their local council.
Mr Hompot said he first thought about establishing the group while facing a stressful legal battle with the City of Casey over the payment of rates.
He said he encountered a great deal of frustration trying to deal with the local government body and was soon facing the daunting prospect of dealing with Casey’s lawyers over the matter.
“They started legal proceedings and it just got a bit too much,” he said.
“I thought there would be other people in the same situation.”
Mr Hompot said during that difficult time he wrote a 15-page booklet detailing the various challenges he had encountered with local government and other authorities over the years.
“At this stage the group is a very loose relationship where we have met a couple of times,” he said.
“It is informal but as the group grows we are planning to have a monthly forum where anyone from the public can come and have their say.”
Mr Hompot said he hoped the forum could offer legal, financial and emotional support to those who attended.
“We would really like to have a lawyer get on board and offer advice as well,” he said.
“What I have found as I have gone through this is as you meet with people you almost instantly reach a rapport, and that helps.”
Mr Hompot said he encouraged anyone facing issues with Casey Council to contact him on 9707 3161.