The following statements were made in relation to the ‘minutes’ of the Pools Committee –
LIPSHUTZ: Pools committee meets on a regular basis…’pool is progressing very well’…one pool has already been tiled and the other one is being tiled….’we are still on track for a December opening’…..’our staff are right on top of the work…..’the builder tried to suggest measures which our staff rejected’….’that indicates the level of concentration and the level of awareness that’ staff have in relation to the pool….
PENHALLURIACK: ‘I have been attempting to attend (the pools committee meetings but dates aren’t published and minutes aren’t provided)….’I am concerned that there are no records in the minutes of progress ….items 1 to 5 are all subheadings and no information about what’s happened….I am more than happy to accept the fact that we have experts….but I would like to be able to attend these site meetings to see for myself…..and a little more detail than what we have in these minutes…..liquidated damages tells me nothing….these (should be) meeting minutes and not simply meeting headings… there is no date for the next meeting (Penhalluriack asked Lipshutz when the next meeting is scheduled).
Lipshutz responded that he doesn’t recall but will check.
Glen Eira Debates 
September 20, 2011 at 10:46 PM
This is an incredible admission of the manipulation that goes on in this council and how the gang operates. In the first place Lipshutz has only recently started admitting that there have been some problems – exactly what, we the poor mug public aren’t told. Even worse, sounds like councillors not in the little gang are also kept in the dark. So much for the Municipal Inspectors recommendations that councillors be treated equally and that everyone be kept in the loop. If there’s nothing to hide then why isn’t there open discussion and the full and frank exchange of information. Penhalluriack is correct. Residents have never got any information. All we’ve had are subject headings that are used to disguise what’s really going on. That might be okay for the public but if Penhalluriack and the other councillors are legally responsible for the expenditure of $45 million dollars then they should know exactly the state of affairs. They shouldn’t have to beg to be provided with information. It’s obvious that they don’t know what’s really happening and that Liipshutz and Newton are determined to keep the truth under wraps.
I’m convinced more and more that what we’ve got is a dysfunctional council that is divided, secretive, and very, very manipulative.
September 20, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Thank you Cr. Penhalluriack for providing us with an insight into the culture of this council and its perversion of transparency.
September 20, 2011 at 11:26 PM
Ya gotta be joking! “level of concentration” – that’s what they’re bloody well paid for and why we’re paying for all these so called experts – to do their jobs properly. Pity the same can’t be said for Lipshutz and his gang.
September 21, 2011 at 8:23 AM
Yes, thank you Cr Penhalluriack for raising this issue – and one wonders why other Councillors have not done so. This has been a long standing and frequently raised issue.
That residents and “other” Councillors receive a less than 5 minute verbal update and a headings only copy of the Pools Steering Committee Meeting Minutes (usually loosley inserted into the agenda items) on the largest development undertaken by this Council is truly appalling.
That Lipshutz, Head of the Pools Steering Committee, doesn’t recall when the next “regular” meeting is is unbelievable. It will be interesting to see if Penhalluriack is advised of the next meeting prior (and how much prior) to it occurring.
It being mid-September and the GESAC opening being scheduled for opening in December (when in December – 1st or 31st – big difference) it might be prudent for all Councillors to be invited to inpsect the site prior to the next Council Meeting. It might also be prudent to provide a detailed and financial account of GESAC progress in the next Glen Eira news so residents can be better informed.
By the way, how is the basketball allocation mess progressing? Last Council Meeting the update was more legal opinions being sought – this Council Meeting still the same.
September 21, 2011 at 10:04 AM
No information on Basketball allocation which is unfair for both the Warriors and MBA. The winter domestic season has just finished with Summer season beginning after school holidays. Our Councillors and Staff probably don’t realize the difficulties faced with so much uncertainty. The McKinnon Basketball Association will have as many, if not more domestic players next season. Hopefully the Warriors can also fill the GESAC stadium.
September 21, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Surely Frank could have asked his loaded questions at a briefing and not deliberately embarrassed his fellow Councillors.
September 21, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Could you please explain why a legitimate request by a Councillor to attend a committee meeting is considered a loaded question and an embarrasment to Council?
September 21, 2011 at 3:17 PM
How do you know he hasn’t already asked ten times and got nowhere with the gang? He’s doing his job. I know who should be embarrassed and it ain’t Frank. It’s Newton and Lipshutz and his cohorts.