The most infamous car in Cairns

This is the car of Alan Blake. Councillor Alan Blake.

It's been the target of much scrutiny over the last eight months.

Last week the Councillor's red MX5 was spotted in several locations around town sporting a "reserved space" canvas bag on the dash-board. This is the bag Council workers use to pop over the top of a parking meter, whist repairing our roads, or attending to their routine work.

You wouldn't think that such a freebie would be at the disposal of a Councillor wandering around town? Now I know some may think it's petty, after all Alan is the Councillor that includes the CBD.

When I looked on his blurb on Council's website, Alan Blake says he's not afraid to take on the big issues. "Sometimes this can mean challenging powerful individuals and special interest groups to give voice to the needs of the wider community," he says.

However, the free parking deal seems to be relevant when he goes on to state that this wider vision seems in congruent with the man who has the reputation for accessibility and independent thinking.

"He's never afraid to personally answering his phone when residents call and he describes his real office as being on the streets of Cairns."

Well, there you go. His real office is on the streets. Who would have thought. Blakie says being a councillor is not a popularity contest. Well, he's wrong there.

"It's about making decisions that are right for the region, no matter the risk to your short-term popularity. You cannot serve the region if you live in a bubble, focusing on what it will take to get you re-elected rather than what it will take to create a more sustainable future for the region."

So with this unique parking scheme in mind, I called around a few other Councillors to see who else has access to such a handy hassle-free resource.

Paul Gregory said he doesn't use one, and reminded me that some time ago a former CEO put a stop to anyone using the parking meter "reserved bag."

"Actually, I don't know how you get hold of these Michael. I think there's an application process our something," Councillor Gregory said. Paul agreed that these were really for the use of Council staff, like Works vehicles.

Paul gave the inference that their use was being abused sometime ago and access was restricted under CEO David Farmer.

Mayor Schier, along with Councillors Lesina and Forsyth, said they are all regular drivers in the city.

"I will pop coins in the meter like anyone, of course," Val Schier said. "If the meeting or event I'm at goes over, then I would deal with any ticket."

The Mayor said that was fair to claim the cost of a parking ticket if it was Council business.

Both Forsyth and Lesina were surprised when asked if they had access to a Council "reserved meter" bag.

"No!" Di Forsyth said, who is seen around the CBD often. Di's known as the social Councillor by many.

"Why would you have one of those [bags] in your car?" Forsyth said. "They are for the operational Council staff I thought. I wouldn't even know where you get it from."

"Actually, I got a ticket just a few weeks ago in town, and I went along and paid it like," Di said.

Councillor Linda Cooper, who whipped Blake's office from under his feet after he was dumped as Finance Committee chair three months ago, was surprised about the use of the reserved parking bag.

"I don't use one nor do I want it," Cooper said. "I can imagine if you're doing legitimate business, there's a case, but I use the meters."

Blake says he's a self-confessed workaholic and is constantly mindful of maintaining balance in his personal life as well.

"It's too easy to forget the ‘you’ in all of this and you need to leave something for yourself". A firm believer in 'a healthy mind in a healthy body', he is regularly seen around the esplanade at dawn exercising and talking with residents.

Dawn? Like you mean around 2am Alan? And what residents are you exercising with?

Regardless of avoiding paying a few pennies here and there, it's all about the perception. Perception breeds reality, so the age-old political saying goes. It sends completely the wrong message that Councillor Alan Blake, on $100,000+ of our ratepayers dosh, isn't willing to throw a few coins in the parking meter, like the rest of is plebs.

Our elected officials do deserve a few perks. After all, most commit a substantial amount of time to the role. Others, well, we can speculate about the 'others'.

I'll leave the last word to Alan.

"I want to stay focused on today's responsibilities and not speculate too far into the future. After all, if I take care of what I need to do today, without fear or favour, and do what I feel is right; the future will take care of itself".