We invite readers to peruse the following pre-election statements from our little ‘gang of four’. The material comes from both the Caulfield and Moorabbin Leader just prior to the November 2008 elections.
HYAMS: Why should the electorate vote for you? Council is about community, and helping residents and ratepayers. As President of the Moorabbin Historical Society, Vice President of Glen Eira Community Associations, local Bendigo Community Bank committee member and until earlier this year cricket club president and Neighbourhood Watch Area Secretary, and as a former councillor, I have a strong history of community involvement. I will work for low rates and a high pensioner rebate, improved community and sporting facilities, better support for sporting and other clubs, improved services for families and the aged, better community consultation, improved safety and better representation to State Government. I will strongly oppose over-development.
LIPSHUTZ: What do you see as the most important issue in Glen Eira?We must have balanced development but at the same time preserve streetscape and period homes. Additionally rate increases must be contained, Glen Eira must be a leader in environmental matters . What is one thing you think you can achieve if elected to council?I can assure voters that responsible and decisive governance will continue. Rates will be reigned in and Glen Eira will become a much greener municipality. Planning will be reviewed.
TANG: What do you see as the most important issue in Glen Eira? Environmental, financial and social sustainability. We need to invest in community assets and community building whilst minimising our environmental impact. This can be achieved while keeping our rates below peer councils. What is one thing you think you can achieve if elected to council? I can deliver record investment in community infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, drains and buildings. Top of the list is the Duncan MacKinnon Pavilion and Booran Rd Reservoir Park.
ESAKOFF: What do you see as the most important issue in Glen Eira? Having a responsive, service-oriented, financially and environmentally responsible Council that governs well and fully consults the community to make the best possible decisions for the people of Glen Eira. What is one thing you think you can achieve if elected to council?Making Glen Eira even more liveable by keeping rates low, retaining the pensioner rebate, improving services, facilities, safety, shopping strips and open space, whilst protecting our environment and residential amenity.
PS: An alert reader has pointed out that we’ve forgotten the other member of ‘the gang’ – Pilling. Here’s his election promise.
PILLING: What do you see as the most important issue in Glen Eira? Genuine community consultation. We need to build a better council that genuinely listens and acts on what the community needs. I will conduct quarterly open focus forums to discuss concerns and issues.
What is one thing you think you can achieve if elected to council? Our present council doesn’t take climate change seriously! I will advocate strongly for Glen Eira Council to become carbon neutral by 2018 with a 40% reduction in carbon pollution by 2012.
Glen Eira Debates 
April 13, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Now I get it. 23 storeys is not over development Hyams? And it’s also balanced Lipshutz? And you’ve done a fabulous job in reviewing planning ain’t ya? Well, we can forget since you guys came in that rates have gone through the roof and you’ve really looked after kiddies so well you bastards all deserve a medal! Love tang’s bit about drains – that’s why we’ve had floods galore and don’t yas love the way he takes credit for Booran Rd. What a joke. The government didn’t even trust this council enough to give them the land. Newton and his little gang are only ‘managers’. They shoulda kept their big mouths shut cos now we can see exactly what kind of hypocrites they are.
April 14, 2011 at 7:30 AM
This is appalling – every election comment deserves the words “SOLD OUT” after it. Not one of these Councillor’s has come close to fulfilling their promises. In fact it is hard to pick a winner in the “How far have I distanced myself from my election promises” Handicap.
April 14, 2011 at 8:27 AM
Lipshutz talking about preserving period homes is farcical when seen in the light of his motion to remove heritage status from the Hawthorn/Seaview properties to help out his mates, the Esakoffs. He also talks about governance and that’s why we’ve had the third municipal inspector’s investigation and a little matter of a section 173 agreement disappearing and with it community open space in Inkerman rd. Another example of helping out mates probably. When it comes to keeping rates down then they all voted for the mega palace of gesac and borrowings of at least 25 million. I suggest a new name instead of the gang of four. How about sell outs?
April 14, 2011 at 8:33 AM
Glen Eira, In your editorial you overlooked the publishing of the election spiel of Cr. Pilling, the 4th member of the Special Committee.
April 14, 2011 at 8:38 AM
There’s a great old saying, judge a person not by his words, but by his actions. In this case, the actions of this gang of four are enough to hang them. Rates have continued to escalate and not in line with other councils, consultation remains non existent, infrastructure apart from sport is also non existent and governance is just a word that means nothing to this group that encourage and demand secrecy and collusion all the time. The stench of various conflicts of interest is impossible to eradicate.
April 14, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Of the 5 sets of promises three directly mention consultation and the imperative to actually listen and act on community views. The argument that one councillor is merely a voice in the wilderness and that he/she requires another four votes to get any resolution through is valid. Yet, in the context of broader and meaningful consultation that argument is highly suspect if these individuals actually intended to keep to their promises. Of the three mentioned, there would undoubtedly also be Forge and Penhalluriack, and possibly Lobo, to support any genuine moves to democratise council. This has not happened. All this proves is that words are cheap and hypocrisy rife. If Esakoff, Pilling, and Hyams were really committed to consultation with the community then this would by now be a reality. It definitely is not.
April 14, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Penhalluriack is the only candidate who has stuck to his guns. His election blurb cited his opposition to the MRC treating the entire Racecourse as its own private property and this hasn’t changed. I certainly give him credit for adhering to his election promises – unlike all the others quoted in this post.
April 15, 2011 at 9:09 AM
The jury is still out for me on Neil Pilling, my decision hinging on how he votes re C60. If he does team up with the gang of four (well three in this case) and vote for C60, he will be undertaking political suicide and any ambition he had in the Greens will be over.