48 hours down and still no sign of the Municipal Inspector’s findings on Council’s website! What’s the holdup? Why can’t such a simple thing be seen to immediately? Makes us think that perhaps the ‘in camera’ discussion did not augur well for the community; that councillors may be reluctant to release the report in a format that is easily accessible 24 hours per day, can be sent around to all and sundry, and which may contain some major (or minor) embarrassment for certain individuals.
Expecting residents to roll up to Council, hat in hand, asking for a copy is simply not good enough in 2010. Besides, this council has often cried ‘wolf’ when it comes to photocopying costs on such things as public submissions and public questions. So how much will it cost to print off perhaps hundreds and hundreds of the Municipal Inspector’s report!
Come on councillors. Show some guts – fulfil your obligations to govern in an open and democratic manner. Hiding behind the service desk does you no credit!
Glen Eira Debates 
September 2, 2010 at 10:20 PM
I don’t hide behind any one. What about you. Anonymous ?.
Jim Magee
September 5, 2010 at 11:31 PM
As Councillors, we are individuals and we need to do what is right by our conscience, state government directives and above all right towards the residents who have placed us in the Council – without fear or favor. Coming new to the council is challenging at first until one knows the ropes.
In making decisions at Council level, the residents will appreciate that it takes 5 out of 9 Councillors to get anything passed in the Council.
Associating an officer to KGB in respect to the Inspector’s report may not be in the right taste without knowing the background in this particular instance. Perhaps you should ask the Councillor of your ward by picking up the phone and/or writing him/her an e-mail before making conclusions.
In some countries people call for a forum during the terms in the ofice of Councillors, instead of Wards calling for forum! It is not enough to have forum’s only during election time, there must be a process to check on things promised during election period and you need to call the shots and not the other way around.
Thank you.
Oscar C. Lobo.
September 2, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Must be at least 40 odd people who would want a copy since there were 40 odd complaints. Perhaps council should charge for this ‘service’ – they charge for everything else. Who knows, maybe this will be the perfect excuse for another rate increase next year.
September 2, 2010 at 11:00 PM
Dear Cr. Magee,
Thank you for your input – we are pleased to receive any comments from any councillor and/or administrator at any time.
You raise the question of anonymity. There’s an interesting dictionary definition of anonymity which reads – “lacking individual characteristics; unexceptional”. We believe this phrase encapsulates our objectives and raison d’etre. Who and what we are should not matter. What must matter are the issues, whether they are raised by Tom, Dick, or Harry. We are merely the tool or implement which allows the community to express their views. Some people are happy to remain anonymous – that is their choice. Others may sign their names. The choice remains with them – we do not presume to tell others how to live their lives or how to become involved in local politics.
As to our ‘credibility’, I’d simply indicate to you and others that judging by the number of visitors to this web blog, it appears that our posts do have credibility and hence support. If it didn’t, then we would disappear into the ether.
Finally, thank you for your interest, and please feel free to proffer your comments whenever you like. We shall listen, consult, but may not act on your views (to quote Cr. Lipshutz and co!)
September 2, 2010 at 11:41 PM
Citizens have the right to remain anonymous. It’s the law and it’s even up on your website Magee when you make a complaint. Well, I’m complaining about this council and the way its run and how little attention is paid to fix up genuine complaints. Anonymity suits me just fine. I don’t need hassles from the thought police that seem to run the place.
September 3, 2010 at 1:16 PM
I work leaving home at 7.30 each morning and get back around 6. Sometimes this is even later. Council is then shut. I want to read the report online. Its much more convenient to people like me who simply dont have the time to get down to hawthorn road during office hours. I dont understand why this cant be done.
September 5, 2010 at 10:43 AM
We received one comment that has been discarded since we felt it was inappropriate and did not further the objectives of debating issues in Glen Eira.