As of 1.40pm on Thursday afternoon, our post revealing the shenanigans over ‘(un)authorised sporting activities’ and council’s failure to act for years and years, has now received the most correspondence and views in our short history. So in response to this public outcry we again put up those questions which must be answered:
We ask, and demand answers to:
- What role have both Lipshutz and Tang played in this whole affair?
- What role has the administration played in not enforcing the law?
- Who makes decisions on policy in this council?
- Where is the ‘transparency’ that the Municipal Inspector demanded? Why are decisions continually made behind closed doors?
- Why was Lobo’s ‘request for a report’ defeated 8 to 1? Who is hiding what?
- Does this council believe that through its non-action that it is serving the principles of ‘equal justice’ to all?
PS: One tiny update: As of 1.58 pm our stats for September read: 7, 348 hits.
Glen Eira Debates 
September 30, 2010 at 3:17 PM
I’ve written previously that this is serious business. With the accumulating evidence there is now only one course of action for both Lipshutz and Tang. Resign. The administration must not be allowed to escape unscathed either. Their role should be investigated by higher powers. A CEO’s obligation is to advise and counsel. Even if there is no ‘legal’ case to answer here according to the MI, the reputation of the entire Council has been dragged again into the mud. Perceptions are what matter and right now there is no denying that Lipshutz and Tang’s names have been badly tarnished. They must go!
September 30, 2010 at 8:48 PM
I will attempt to answer the questions as best I can, but I’m happy be corrected by any Councillors if my answers are wrong.
Firstly I must stress again this is NOT about stopping the Frisbee group, its about all groups having to abide by the same set of rules/laws. You just cant have two group playing at the same time on the same park, one required to get a permit and the other does not just because they are friends and related to Councillors, that wont work in anyones language. I think thats a fact nobody can dispute. Imagine if you reversed the scenario and we were playing without a permit and the Frisbee group had a permit, with their connections to Councillors the wardens would be down their hunting us with bells on in an instant.
These are what I believe are the honest answers:
1. They are the architects, they could have stopped all this a while ago, they (Cr Tang) chose not to accept our very reasonable request of asking for the same opportunity. I still remember the meeting infront of the main pavillion and asking if we can play on the Oval infront of our meeting at Caulfield Park, the answer was NO. My opinion is they wanted too but they didnt know how they could put it in writing (happy to be corrected if I am wrong). They are directly implicated in this because Cr Tang has mates with the Frisbee group and Cr Lipshutz has a son playing. This has been confirmed at a meeting with Cr Tang on the 14th April. At NO STAGE are we saying if your mates or a relative of a Councillor you cannot use Caulfield Park, we are just saying the rules/law must be applied equally to all.
2. I dont believe the administration has played any role in NOT enforcing the law. They have had their hands tied by a directive from Councillors telling them they are NOT to act. I have the internal Council e-mail to prove it obtained under FoI.
3. A few influential Councillors and the rest of the ducklings follow.
4. There is no transparency in this Frisbee issue, the Councillors know it but cant admit to it, the longer this goes on the worse it will get and the truth will eventually come out. They know that, they would love to turn the clock back. I dont see them making any GENUINE attempt to resolve this. The only calls I have had are from Oscar Lobo and Frank Penhalluriack (Those calls will remain private, for now). The solution is just so simple, yet they havn’t woken up yet.
5. Lobo’s report was voted down 8-1 bacause if a report was tabled it would make the Councillors look silly, unethical and put them in a “conflict of interest” position (not that they are not already in one) So much for being open, honest and tranparent. The answer lies within the vote!
6. Council thinks that no-action with bring equal justice to all, WHAT A JOKE. They think the sweeper will come out and the magic carpet with lift up. The facts are there for all to see, HOW CAN TWO GROUPS PLAY AT THE SAME TIME ON THE SAME PARK UNDER DIFFERENT LAWS/RULES?
IF and I say a massive IF (because we certainly dont believe this) there is no technical breach of the Act, there without doubt is an ethical breach!
Please correct me if I am wrong, but that might be difficult since you (Kingpins) have gagged everyone (all other Councillors) from free speech on here so anyform of contact for the corrections will suffice.
September 30, 2010 at 5:01 PM
We’ve received a comment from one of our readers which was put up under the ‘contact us’ page. We are repeating it here:
Hi there
Firstly, congratulations on setting up the Glen Eira debates site which I only became aware of as a result of a reference in a recent article in the Caulfield Leader.
There is a definite need for a forum for interested residents to express their opinions and gather more information about what goes on in our Council – beyond the spin laden press releases.
However, I was surprised that after much searching – I could not find any information whatsoever about the people behind the website. In my opinion – in order for such a site to have any credibility – the moderators cannot be anonymous. It is essential that there is a “real person” responsible for the content. Otherwise suspicions will be raised that the information is not reliable or is in itself “spin” from a group with a particular vested interest. Why else wouldn’t you disclose who you are?
It may be that the information is readily available but my IT skills are inadequate – if that is the case then I would recommend that the information be made more easily accessible via a link from the homepage.
So – who are the moderators and what is their background?
Thanks
Lisa Di Marco
RESPONSE: Lisa, we have previously written to Jim Magee that WHO we are is irrelevant. What is relevant are the issues that confront the residents of Glen Eira. This is why we’re here – to provide a forum for all and sundry. We believe, and you also intimate, that in Glen Eira the views of residents have been consistently overlooked and ignored to the detriment of all. Some groups and individuals also know first hand what it means to dare to question and criticise Council. As to our ‘credibility’, we prefer to let the ‘facts’ speak for themselves. As a group of moderators, we put in many hours of research, and discussion and have legal advice at hand. We are also obliged to protect our sources. If residents disagree with anything we put up, then they are invited to respond. We guarantee that we will put up every comment, every point of view, every conflicting opinion. We only request that comments refrain from being defamatory.
Our objectives are open and comprehensive DEBATE within the community. Again, it shouldn’t matter who says what. Debate must be evaluated on the quality of the material and the logic of the argument. If we fail in this, then the blog will undoubtedly disappear as readers will desert us. However, we are also adherents to the notion that the Glen Eira community has much to offer – its combined knowledge, wisdom, and passion must no longer be sidelined by vested interests both within and outside Council.
September 30, 2010 at 6:58 PM
Agree 100% with you glen eira. The past is strewn with attempts to silence any opposition via ridicule, legal threat, and plain old intimidation. Just ask Mary Walsh and the Friends of Caulfield Park as perfect examples.