Rumours are rife that Andrew Newton has been “granted” his contract extension for another two years. No official announcement has as yet been made so we cannot vouch for the authenticity of these rumours. If however, they do prove correct we strongly suspect that the voting pattern may have gone along these lines –
FOR: Lipshutz, Hyams, Esakoff, Lobo
AGAINST: Magee, Pilling, Forge
Tang was a ‘convenient’ absentee at the last CEO Special Committee meeting where the decision was probably made. Convenient, in the sense that if he should by some miracle have voted against reappointment then the vote would have been 4 to 4 and Esakoff would have the casting vote. This would place her in an invidious position. Convention demands that the status quo is maintained – ie. contract runs its course without renewal. With Tang absent, this possibility has been averted.
We will comment further once the issue is resolved via the perfunctory formal announcement.
Glen Eira Debates 
November 20, 2011 at 8:32 PM
if this is the case why are they still meeting about the matter?
November 20, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Timing my friend. Next meeting accepts the minutes and recommendation. That makes it just on 2 weeks for the legal bit and just before the last council meeting. Then all quiet over the xmas period. They can reschedule the committee for anytime they like as well to meet the 2 weeks requirement. Remember this doesn’t have to go to council – they’ve delegated themselves the authority to do as they bloody well like.
November 20, 2011 at 10:27 PM
If Newton has been reappointed then this is the blackest day in Glen Eira’s history. How on earth these councillors could even consider the possibility of giving him another 2 years is impossible to fathom. The scandals of this year alone make him the most unsuitable person to hold the job. Just from memory there’s the basketball mess; the blown budget on gesac and the non December opening; another inspection; lawyers galore; bullying again; the joke about requests for reports; shonky minutes every second meeting, and more and more secrecy. I’m just waiting to hear that next year’s rate increases will be over 8% then that will be the final straw to prove what a disaster such a decision is.
November 20, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Colin you’ve forgotten the gesac car park that wasn’t planned for and the $391,000 moving of a playground. That’s a million bucks not budgeted for. What the heck it’s only our money that’s use to cover up his lousy planning from the start. You’ve also forgotten all the secret meetings with the MRC over the c60 and the centre of the racecourse sell out. That really is the hallmark of his 12 years- the complete sell out of residents. And the gang give this lame duck another two years! can’t wait til next year and the elections
November 20, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Re: status quo – “To maintain the status quo is to keep the things the way they presently are.”
i.e. Esakoff would have been obliged to vote for Newton to stay.
November 20, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Sorry Glen Huntly – status quo means that his contract is allowed to run out. Voting to renew is not the status quo!
November 20, 2011 at 11:00 PM
lol
November 21, 2011 at 9:42 AM
Is your real name Paul.
November 20, 2011 at 11:06 PM
This is all speculation since nothing has been announced. It could be correct but could also be entirely inaccurate. I’m also very skeptical that we’ll ever even know who voted for or against since the hallmark of this council is to present a front of uniformity. My guess is that we will be told that the decision was arrived at by consensus and the actual voting patterns won’t be disclosed. If this happens then I know what I would do simply because I would not want to be tarred with the same brush as Lipshutz and Hyams in particular. I would announce the way I voted loudly and clearly so that residents can make their own judgements as to whether I did the right thing or not. Besides, that’s what freedom of speech is supposed to be about I would think – not the repeated gagging that we’ve witnessed so often in this council.
November 21, 2011 at 9:22 AM
If true and if the vote did go along the lines suggested, then we can all look forward to another 2 years of a divided council. That would be consistent with the history of this place. Residents should be up in arms about the whole business. Those councillors who may or will vote for Newton have a lot to answer for.
November 21, 2011 at 9:56 AM
With the shoddy administration with the pool and basketball courts if the CEO’s contract is rolled over councillors that opposed this would soon identify themselves.
November 21, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Here’s a business idea for council to make some money to cover for the losses on GESAC. Start selling black armbands to residents!!!!