Things are hotting up and becoming really interesting. With the mayoral election just around the corner we can lay bets that the phones have been running hot and little clandestine meetings going on all over the place, with lobbying at its most intensive. Promises are being made left right and centre; favours called in, and all kinds of pressures brought to bear. The way we read the situation, is that the race is well and truly on between Hyams and Magee. Speculating a little further, we believe that the gang will of course vote for Hyams (ie. Lipshutz, Tang, Esakoff and Hyams himself) whilst Magee will possibly have the votes of Forge, Pilling, Penhalluriack and himself. That leaves dear Oscar – the new ‘king maker’.
What a turn around from last year when Lobo nominated himself and got no support. His continual cry of ‘4 plus 1’ fell on deaf ears. Well, this year things are vastly different. Lobo is that pivotal ‘1’! The question of course is: will he succumb to the wiles of Hyams et al or the wiles of Magee et al? How will he vote? Will past animosity against ‘the gang’ suddenly be fresh in his memory, or will his current (inexplicable) embrace of the group remain firm? From last year’s ‘nowhere man’, Lobo is suddenly thrust into the limelight – the real ‘kingmaker’.
Glen Eira Debates 
December 2, 2011 at 2:52 PM
Maybe Cr. Lobo has not so much as embraced anyone rather he understands that Council is not simply a contest amongst councillors where each can fulfil the promises that they have made to people in their ward. Cr. Magee has made it clear to people in the Tucker ward that if he is mayor he can get things done for them all. Maybe Cr. Lobo has noticed that Council operates from strategic plans that are carefully developed as laid down in the Local Government Act. Making promises to people in Tucker Ward that cannot be kept as they are not in the Community Plan will only end in tears. I suggest that Cr. Lobo may not have said a lot in Council meetings but you can be sure he has been listening. Apparently Magee is walking around telling some people he has it in the bag. No one knows what Pilling is thinking.
The Councillors should be considering their vote very carefully. It means alot and to elect a mayor that is not up to speed will yet again put Glen Eira in the papers. Maybe some Councillors would enjoy all the attention.
One wonders what Cr. Magee will say to the reporters. He has indicated in many ways he will be the Mayor of Tucker Ward when in fact it should be the Mayor of Glen Eira.
December 2, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Wow, you should advertise yourself as a mind reader if you think you can read what’s in Lobo’s head. Since he doesn’t say anything then only his actions speak louder than words and for the last year his actions tell me that he is Lipshutz’s baby. If Lobo likes the stategic plans and all the other crap policies then he hasn’t learnt a thing from all his years in business. Mind you, that’s not to say that the other councillors are any better. I’m afraid it boils down to a choice between two evils. With Hyams you’ll get Newton and more Newton and with Magee you’ll get more Tucker ward. I’d favour anything that tries to undo the damage that the gang and Newton have done.
December 2, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Welcome to Glen Eira Debates Cr Esakoff.
December 2, 2011 at 4:15 PM
Anonymous 1 questions for you
1.What promises has Magee made to the people of Tucker ward?
2.Who did he make these promises to?
3.Who did he tell “he has it in the bag” ?
December 2, 2011 at 5:03 PM
You should know all those answers Jim.
December 2, 2011 at 5:53 PM
Wrong, but I have known him for about 19 years. And I don’t like bull S—t.
December 2, 2011 at 6:30 PM
OK You know him well. Did you meet him at uni. Ask him which university he completed his engineering degree. I read about him in the Leader newspaper in 2009. I am amazed that he doesn’t refer to his qualifications on the Council website. No one likes bulls-t.
December 3, 2011 at 8:15 AM
http://leader-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sport-arts-provide-grounding-for-glen-eira-councillor/
You can read it for yourself. Be an idea to ring the Leader. No one likes bulls**t.
December 3, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Give him a call and ask him 0438706025
December 2, 2011 at 6:10 PM
From where I sit Lobo’s choice is dead easy. A vote for Hyams is a vote against the community. It supports secrecy and back room deals. Simple as that.
December 2, 2011 at 6:28 PM
From where I sit Lobo’s made his choice when he joined the dark side.
December 2, 2011 at 7:02 PM
Hyams will be mayor and surprise surprise, Lobo his deputy. Done deal.
December 2, 2011 at 7:17 PM
Two can play that game. Magee dangles the deputy mayor carot
December 3, 2011 at 5:45 AM
Both Crs Pilling and Hyams are unfit to be Mayor after their approval of the 20 storey C60 developments. Where is the park at the racecourse they promised? According to their “agreement” with the MRC it is to be completed in three months time…yeah right!
December 3, 2011 at 10:22 AM
A woman called (Moderators: name deleted) has lodged an appeal to VCAT over the Council permit that is required to build the park in the centre of the race track. This may delay this project. Ask her all about it.
December 3, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Don’t blame Neil, it was a unanimous decision to approve C60. Unfortunately Neil keeps promoting it as an achievement. He needs to shut up and the heat will pass just has happened over the past 150 years.
December 3, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Actually only 4 Councillors out of 9 voted for C60. Pilling, Esakoff, Hyams and Lipshutz. Thats very undemocratic. However the “mastermind” behind it all was Newton. Whilst the 4 will discover the wrath of voters next year, Newton will not. Thats very unfair.
December 4, 2011 at 9:08 PM
Get over it. High rise development is here to stay and supported by both sides of government. There is plenty of open space in Glen Eira without the racecourse. We are lucky in having such a competent CEO and administration.
December 3, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Jim Magee
I have only talked to Crs Forge, Pilling, Penhalluriack and Lobo about the mayoralty. I have not talked about it to any one out side of council. No promises made to people in Tucker Ward. I have not said to any one that I have it in the bag.
Anonymous One you know that what you wrote was not true, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for trying to denigrate me and my family, just to help Cr Hyams. I know Cr Hayms will feel the same.
Jim Magee
0438706025
December 3, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Didn’t I meet you at uni Jim? Which one was it again, I forget.
December 3, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Prahran College of Advanced Education 76 to 79
December 3, 2011 at 1:48 PM
First of all it is good to see you blogging in your own name, It will look better when the Ombudsman takes a close look in the future.
Secondly we are all curious which disipline of engineering you completed, like Civil, Mechanical etc. You should include this in the blurb on the council website.
December 3, 2011 at 2:02 PM
Which is now Swinburne University.
December 3, 2011 at 2:36 PM
You are right but before they became Swinburne Uni they did not confer degrees. So Jim let us know how you pulled that one off.
December 3, 2011 at 10:40 AM
The pseudo secular inderpendant mob will not give up the casting vote.