Public Notice in today’s Glen Eira Leader:
Special Council Meeting: Wednesday, 15th December 2010
In accordance with Section 84(1) of the Local Government Act 1989 notice is given that a Special Council Meeting of the Glen Eira City Council will be held on Wednesday 15th December 2010 in the council chamber, corner of Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield, commencing at 7pm.
The business to be transacted at this meeting will be to elect a Mayor and a Deputy Mayor.
This will now make it 3 meetings in 3 days – the C60 and centre of racecourse on Monday; Tuesday normal council meeting and now Wednesday the selection of Mayor. The questions that immediately spring to mind are:
- Is this scheduling deliberate? It is asking a lot of both councillors, and public, to attend three nights in succession. Is the hope that the gallery will be practically empty on this last night, or on any of the other nights, if people must ration their time?
- Glen Eira has always elected its mayor at an ordinary council meeting. Why is the administration now calling for a special meeting? Why can’t it be done on Tuesday night?
- Were counsellors consulted, informed of this new meeting? Were they even offered a choice?
Glen Eira Debates 
December 7, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Been hearing consistent rumours that our new mayor will be none other than good ol’ Esakoff. That makes it 3 terms and also deputy. Also on the grapevine there’s a whisper about Magee and his ambitions. Then we have the ‘unknowns’ such as Lobo and even Lipshits. The possible scenarios on offer are tantalising. We could have a 5 minute meeting that rubber stamps esakoff or we could have several contenders battling it out. What joy! A fair dinkum debate. Maybe then councillors would have to address some of the recent public questions such as what are the qualities you bring to the position and why do you reckon you should be mayor. what have you contributed in the past few years – and in esakoff’s place, the last 7 years. Would love to hear the answers to some of these! Esakoff could state that she’s complained to newton that her picture didn’t appear enough times in the glen eira news; Magee could claim that he’s responsible for gesac, Lipshits would simply say that he’s the most ‘appropriate’ person for the job given his legal background, his astute understanding of community feeling and his unwavering and consistent insistence on avoiding conflict of interest claims. Yup, this has the potential to be a fabulous meeting or a total dud.
December 7, 2010 at 2:08 PM
Your rumour is correct – reward for voting in C60 and taking the flak off Lipshutz and Newton of the inappropriate development of the Caulfield Racecourse. “What, the residents”?, I can hear the Emperoress decree, “well just let them eat cake”.
December 7, 2010 at 12:28 PM
They should refuse to let the community speak at this meeting also (like the Caulfield Racecourse Special meeting) just to make sure no-one turns up. The shenanigans behind this council would put Brimbank to shame.
December 7, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Silence is the name of the game. No-one speaks. Only the winner. We’ll then get a speech full of sham humility, honour, gratitude, and effusive praise for how wonderful this council and its officers are. How hard everyone works; how dedicated every man and woman is to furthering the interests of the community; how lucky we all are. The gallery will contain family and friends; the mayor will then be escorted out and dressed in his/her resplendent cloak and chain of office. All pomp and ceremony that is intended to dazzle, blind, and befuddle the innocent and adoring public. Democracy at work? My foot! The numbers have been counted, deals made, and the future set. That’s okay however. I can cop all this. Even primeministers are elected according to the numbers game. What sticks in my craw however is the pretense. We’re paying $70,000 for what? A ribbon cutter? A yes man?
December 7, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Special Meetings must be countersigned by the Mayor. Another example of Tang and his collusion with Newton?
December 7, 2010 at 4:49 PM
It is really extraodinary that there should be any need for three consecutive meetings. I agree with the post authors that one has to therefore question motives, especially when the election of a mayor has never been done via a special council meeting. If I were a councillor I think I would object in the most strongest terms and ask for the reasons behind such a move. Even if the upcoming agenda for the next ordinary meeting is fairly hectic, this should not be an excuse to call another meeting. Councillors should simply defer some of the agenda items, or extend the meeting time. Again, it strikes me that this is what usually occurs in Glen Eira. Really important policy matters are all lumped together and then rammed through in one council meeting. In this way nothing is given priority, or put under the spotlight, and discussion and debate is limited to 5 or ten minutes if even that. The tactics by Newton in this instance, and undoutedly with the support of Tang, are deplorable and in practice undercut the Municipal Inspector’s recommendations for accountability and transparency. With only a handful of people in the gallery by Wednesday night, no one will know about anything. Whatever arguments or non arguments are presented will fall on only a few very tired ears.
December 7, 2010 at 5:27 PM
There won’t be any debate. You can bet your bottom dollar that every attempt will be made to present a unified and happy front. ideally, there should be only one candidate. anybody else who entertains the idea of standing for mayor will have been put under intense pressure to withdraw their nomination.
December 8, 2010 at 11:53 PM
This is just typical of the back room dealings of the gang of four, you can bet your bottom dollar one of them will be at the Apex next week. How about we vote them out, then they wont have a say! Esakoff – Mayor, hahahaha didnt she get sacked from the job?