From the VEC website as of Friday evening-
Camden Ward (3 vacancies)
| Name | Contact details | |
|---|---|---|
| STEEDMAN, James | James Steedman Mobile: 0409 330 448 steedmanjames@hotmail.com | |
| PENHALLURIACK, Frank | Frank Penhalluriack Business Hours: (03) 9523 6000 Mobile: 0416 006 526 frank@pens.net.au | |
| KURAN, Bernie | Bernie Kuran Mobile: 0408 054 600 berniekuran@gmail.com | |
| LIPSHUTZ, Michael | Michael Lipshutz Business Hours: (03) 9321 3106 Mobile: 0418 855 177 michael@lipfam.com | |
| DEMPSEY, Kate | Kate Dempsey Business Hours: (03) 9500 8297 Mobile: 0411 447 714 info@katedempsey.com.au | |
| DELAHUNTY, Mary | Mary Delahunty Mobile: 0477 428 137 mary@marydelahunty.com | |
| FORGE, Cheryl | Cheryl Forge Business Hours: (03) 9509 6290 Mobile: 0402 223 404 cherforge@gmail.com |
Rosstown Ward (3 vacancies)
| Name | Contact details | |
|---|---|---|
| HO, Kelvin | Kelvin Ho Mobile: 0433 338 870 kimosgroup@gmail.com | |
| OKOTEL, Karina | Karina Okotel Mobile: 0424 479 454 karinaokotel@yahoo.com | |
| MIKELSONS, Wilmars | Wilmars Mikelsons Mobile: 0425 772 228 wilmars.mikelsons@gmail.com | |
| DUNSTAN, Don | Don Dunstan Business Hours: (03) 9578 7134 | |
| ESAKOFF, Margaret | Margaret Esakoff Mobile: 0412 957 807 |
Tucker Ward (3 vacancies)
| Name | Contact details | |
|---|---|---|
| LOBO, Oscar | Oscar Lobo Mobile: 0404 848 345 | |
| De’ATH, Phil | Phil De’Ath Mobile: 0401 766 246 phild2012@yahoo.com.au | |
| MAGEE, Jim | Jim Magee Mobile: 0438 706 025 jmagee1@optusnet.com.au | |
| KAY, David | David Kay Mobile: 0419 508 481 | |
| GATOFF, Newton | Newton Gatoff Mobile: 0431 115 738 newtongatoff@me.com | |
| READ, Rose | Rose Read Mobile: 0409 132 338 rose.read@vic.greens.org.au | |
| BUCH, Henry | Henry Buch Mobile: 0419 570 127 | |
| MYERS, John Barry | John Barry Myers Business Hours: (03) 9525 8155 rebdoc1@bigpond.net.au |
Glen Eira Debates 
September 22, 2012 at 10:09 AM
More lawyers and real estate people than you can shake a hat at.
September 22, 2012 at 11:21 AM
More lawyers nad real estate candidates – A perfect combination for more irresponsible development in the municipality, more traffic congestion and total care less disregard for the environment and what residents think.
Be careful, be very careful who you vote for GE people!
September 22, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Unbelievable!!!!!!! Was just at my local shopping centre and was handed a Pilling election flyer – you are not going to believe this folks but, among other things, he claims he has delivered on
1. great new facilities at the Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC). Hmmm – lets see GESAC commenced in 2002, Pilling first elected to Council in 2008 and Pilling not on the Pools Steering Committee. Seems to me the only GESAC involvement he can legitmately lay claim to is the appalling 6 months long silence on the delayed GESAC opening date. Despite considerable and very vocal concerns being expressed by residents and GESAC members he, like all other councillors, sat mum.
2. voting against inappropriate development. Another hmmm – one of four members of the racecourse (C60) steering committee he voted in the mammoth C60 development which even turncoat Southwick said was in appropriate. Not to mention his (Pilling’s) track record on voting for developments through out Glen Eira – never knocked one back.
Gonna have to do better than this Neil.
September 22, 2012 at 12:34 PM
That’s a real coincidence cos good ol Jamie is standing in Centre Rd handing out his bullshit. Also claims to be against over development and is “responsible” for Gesac and he’s so, so community minded. Not a word though about giving the basketball to the warriors instead of McKinnon Basketball. Isn’t there some law about telling the truth on campaign flyers?
September 22, 2012 at 8:44 PM
I guess Jamie claiming GESAC responsiblity means that he, as presiding Mayor (don’t forget the coin toss decider), is also accepting total responsibility for the resounding silence on the GESAC opening delay.
Community minded is also bull – doesn’t listen to the community (uses his mayoral casting vote to in favour of developers) or uses his casting vote to mericilessly pursue the Bears and Ajax over a rumoured agreement which both clubs had publicly declared null and void. He has totally lost sight of residents goals – instead he has convinced himself that his goals are the community’s goals.
Don’t forget the heritage issue – against independent 6 heritage advisors reports he gets up and disagrees with them because he can – not illegal but that’s not the point – by being an elected representative he is duty bound expected to act prudently and in the best interests of the community. Advocating against not one but six advisors reports (paid for by the ratepayers) is not acting in the communitys interests – as the Independent Planning Panel pointed out in no uncertain terms.
If the puke included in Pilling’s and Jamie’s flyers are anything to go by, I know to which small room with a water based ceramic feature I will head to to read the Esakoff and Lipshutz flyers.
September 22, 2012 at 2:53 PM
Well, I do not know about “stooges” and how one might pick them, but my candidacy is certainly real! I have a website dedicated to my campaign and a facebook page and I urge all readers of Glen Eira debates (Camden Ward) to have a look there and make up their own minds. I also urge voters to ask the question of candidates: are they affiliated with or members of a political party? I am an independent candidate and am not, nor have I ever been in a political party. I don’t think it is an honest and ethical way to start a four year term of service to the community to not mention party affiliations. There are candidates in Glen Eira who are members of political parties but they do not advertise this fact.
Save your vote for an independent, local resident of over 27 years, a businesswoman who knows local government inside and out and will not be constrained by ‘who to vote with’ in the council chamber if elected.
Dr Kate Dempsey
http://www.katedempseyforgleneira.net
wwwfacebook.com/katedempseyforgleneira
September 23, 2012 at 3:02 PM
So you are not connected to any Party. Be interesting to see where your second preference goes on your “how to vote card”. My bet is Delahunty or maybe a Green candidate. That will say it all. Good luck anyway.
September 29, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Hi Anonymous,
As a Greens candidate in Tucker Ward, I’d be really keen to know where you suggest Kate’s second preference should go if not to a Greens candidate or Delahunty – everything that is mentioned on this page is about moving away from the current situation / council to something that has some accountability, honesty, vision, integrity and transparency – which other candidate in Camden Ward can outshine Sounness, Dempsey and Delahunty in this regard? I’m not sure what you mean when you say “that will say it all” when this is exactly what we’re all trying to achieve, aren’t we? So I’m very curious to know (imagine you are the candidate for a moment) who your second preference in Camden ward would go to? The list of candidates can be found at http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Current/GlenEiraNominations.html
Cheerio from
Brett
September 22, 2012 at 3:32 PM
Good luck Kate. I also believe we need a more transparent Council. For example, whatever happened to the Caulfield Racecourse agreement entered into by Crs Lipshutz, Pilling, Esakoff and Hyams and the Melbourne Racing Club – item 9.12 Council Meeting Wed 27th April 2011? Nothing has been mentioned since that meeting and Camden Ward residents need answers.
Perhaps you can find out before the elections. Thank you.
September 22, 2012 at 6:07 PM
I went to the races today at Caulfield and impressed by the improvements in the centre, including a huge fountain. Going home I was sad that people could not see it from the outside of the racecourse. Wasn’t the tin fencing going to be removed and replaced with palisade? Seems the MRC are doing work and keeping their side of the agreement but it is actually Council dragging their heels. New councillors may help.
September 22, 2012 at 4:29 PM
Political party affiliations have never worked in Glen Eira except for the dominant Liberal oriented councillors that now comprise the ‘gang’. I want to vote for someone who is truly independent and not aligned with any state or national policies. The Greens wouldn’t know a thing about the issues that confront our neighbourhoods and nor should they. The same goes for the other political parties. We need councillors who will put locals first and not follow political party agendas. That means indepent councillors who don’t take their orders from Libs, Labour or Greens.
September 29, 2012 at 9:16 PM
Hi D. Evans,
I’m a Green and a candidate in Glen Eira and I’ve lived here for over 25 years and I’ve never been told what to do or say by anyone in the Greens. It simply doesn’t work the way you suggest in your note above and I’d be happy to have a chat / address any issue at a local level that you might want to raise. The only independent candidates that I know of in Glen Eira are Dempsey (Camden) and Gatoff (Tucker). The Greens really are about community, most people I meet on the street have formed their views based on biased media commentary – I’m down on Centre Rd every Saturday morning and I’d welcome a chat about the issues facing your family, your street and your community – chances are they are the same as mine here in McKinnon.
Cheerio from
Brett
Brett Hedger
Greens Candidate for Tucker Ward.
September 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Thank you for answering my comment. I still have major doubts though. Glen Eira has had one Green councillor in Pilling. He might be a very nice man, but I do not think he has served the interests of the community well. Admittedly he may be largely responsible for such “green” initiatives as the e-waste collections and downsizing of bins. Yet, in the great scheme of things these issues I regard as trivial and insignificant. I’m far more concerned with the fact that a Green councillor steadfastly refuses to acknowledge that the planning scheme is a total disaster for residents – witness the vote for C60. Most council meetings in the past year have become the Lipshutz and Pilling show with Pilling supporting the former to the hilt. E-waste collections can never in my view justify the Faustian contract that would appear to have occurred on this and countless other issues. To be blunt Brett, are you of the same ilk?
September 22, 2012 at 8:22 PM
Kate Dempsey – Yes we desperately need many independent and strong thinkers on GE Council. The issue I have in your case, as a business woman who relies quite heavily on councils for consulting work. On your candidates website you name GE Council as one of your biggest clients. Kate, can you outline for the community how you will manage this perceived and potential conflict of interest if elected.
Or will you wind down your consulting company?
Also of concern, on your website you tell us that you want to hear from the Camden Ward residents what our concerns are – why dont you tell us what you stand for? Not simply do a survery of residents views and then claim (based on majority views) that thats what you stand for.
Tell us how you intend to fight and win at Council for residents? We need more than one person on Council who is prepared to take on the ‘gang’ who make all the dcisions at Council. A lone person, no matter how dedicated cannot do very much……take Cr Penhalluriack, as a good example.
September 23, 2012 at 9:38 AM
In reply to “Elsternwick” There seems to be some mis-understanding of my consulting clients. Could you have mis-read my website? I have done consulting work for many local councils, but NEVER for Glen Eira.
This in itself is interesting to me. I have expertise and knowledge of the way councils operate and often one successful consulting job with one council will lead to my being recommended to another. Yet I have never been asked by Glen Eira to do any work for them. They seem to be ‘out on their own’ in terms of their relationships with other local authorities and the use of consultants. I know GE does use consultants, but it has never been me!
Also I have no ‘survey’ on my website (that’s Labour candidate Mary Delahunty). I do ask for your views to be sure, to better inform myself. I have a page on my website called “what I stand for”. So have a look there. What I stand for first and foremost is consultation with the community. I guess that might sound a little broad, but it is the key which underpins all actions in my view. GE does the least consulting with communities of any council I know. Opportunities to hear from residents and traders are overlooked at every point (the new State planning scheme being a case in point). Decisions are made and money is spent with little regard for the majority view. A council should reflect the diversity of views and population in its constituency, but ours does not.
I applied to be on Council’s Community Consultative Committee this year, thinking finally it was moving in the right direction by having such a group. Did you know GE had a community consultative committee for nearly 2 years without any community reps on it! Anyway, my experience of that committee (from February to August this year) was what spurred me to stand for election.
As for being a lone voice in council, I agree that will not work as Frank has found to his detriment. But there are many new candidates standing in this election, which is good to see and I am hopeful of getting a new configuration this time. New blood, means new alliances must be formed. If you look at the work I do, you will find that team dynamics, team building, working in groups and dealing with conflict and good governance are key elements of my work. I have been in business for 22 years, so I feel I do know something about how to work well in a group and hope to apply that in council soon!
September 23, 2012 at 4:55 PM
Kate, your campaign sounds like everyone elses. All candidates say they will consult and listen to the people. Check out the brochures that come through your letter box in the coming weeks. They will all say the same thing. I am waiting for the one that says they will support a rate freeze. My rates have increased 70% in 5 years. 2007 to 2012. That has to be an issue. Where has that money gone?
September 23, 2012 at 6:49 PM
In reply to anonymous’ concerns that all candidates sound alike, perhaps there is some truth in that. I agree that rate hikes can be onerous and I agree the level of transparency can be improved. But I am not promising the world as many do (including rate freezes) because I simply cannot make these sort of promises before being elected. The only way a major change of that order occurs is if the councillors vote as a majority on the issue. But I certainly believe that the residents and ratepayers need to fully understand where and how their money is spent and how priorities are made. That is transparency in action.
This is my commitment; to work as well as I can (if elected) with others who are also elected, be they liberal, labour, green or whatever. Local government is not like other levels of government: there is no government and opposition, we are all in the chamber together. As I said in an earlier post, I am putting my own skills and experience on the line in my commitment to work as part of a well-functioning team.
My commitment is to consult and I don’t mean this glibly, I think people have indicated this is a key area where GE falls down (only 37% felt this was done well by council in a recent survey). In my view, Glen Eira currently does not do this well, at all. It offers far fewer opportunities to participate than other councils I have worked with. If you vote for me, what you will get is an individual who knows this municipality well, who understands the complexities of running a business, understands the more than 100 businesses that a local authority manages, gets the need for transparency and ethics in governance and will do her best to make decisions, with the benefit of consultation. I am not constraint by political party policies (or either hue, anonymous).
What I see lacking in GE is the sort of local support that occurred to save the Astor theatre. I think it was terrific to see part of the community come together to promote the saving of the theatre. I heard that St Michael’s Grammar (which owns the theatre) simply got sick of the negative publicity and agreed to sell. We can get this type of community action happening in GE too! Well, that’s enough from me. Let’s hear from other candidates.
September 23, 2012 at 6:46 PM
I think a few comments are in order here. To begin with what Dr Dempsey has said is unlike other candidates. In my experience they mouth the necessary lines and that’s the end of their involvement. If I”m right in reading between the lines it is precisely Dr Dempsey’s experience as a community rep that has been the factor in determining her decision to stand for council. I gather this has not been an overwhelmingly pleasant experience. If it were, then there would be no need for “change” as she says. That is certainly more than other candidates have volunteered.
I say we need more Kate Dempseys who will work towards a far more open, accountable, and consultative council. That will happen when new faces, like Dr Dempsey’s, are sitting in the council chamber. To return the current lot would undermine any possibility of a council working with and for its residents.
September 22, 2012 at 10:45 PM
Gut feeling is that the stooges are lining up thick and fast. Lipshutz probably has Steedman and Bernie K, Esakoff’s got Okotel and Hyams d’Ath, Buch and probably Kay. Pilling’s got his greens but at least that is out in the open and therefore heaps more honest than can be said for the others. Put these buggers all last if you really want change.
September 29, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Hi Anonymous,
What you say has more truth than you know, however you can’t put everyone last on the ballot paper and your vote is too important to waste. So how do you choose? I’m a Greens candidate and I just went through exactly the same process as you describe above, it’s hard work so I’ve got no idea how the average voter figures out who to vote for and where to put all the various numbers in the boxes.
Cheerio
from
Brett Hedger (Green Candidate in Tucker)
September 23, 2012 at 9:46 AM
The game is all about preferences. It is hard to be voted in ‘outright’ and these seasoned candidates know how to play the game. I am beginning to wish I had a stooge myself 😉
I was told by council that attendance voting is favoured at GE (few council have attendance voting) in order to prevent stooge candidates. I am not sure it is working here!
I stand alone as an independent, not part of any political party and with only the support I can gather from the community and other candidates (in terms of their preferences).
September 23, 2012 at 11:22 PM
Kate, the change to attendance voting has certainly reduced the number of “stooges” or dummy candidates.
With postal voting in 2005, the were 62 candidates across the 3 wards – 21 in Camden and 20 in each of the other two wards.
In 2008 there were 7 in Camden, 8 in Rosstown and 11 in Tucker.
In Camden in 2005 I estimate 10-12 were stooges- and it won’t surprise anyone that they all gave their preferences to Lipshutz and Helen Whiteside. And they all put the resident activist Jacquie Robilliard last.
In 2008 in Camden there was only one stooge – Cheryl Forge who stood to support Helen Whiteside. And now she’s a councillor standing for re-election. Funny how things turn out.
However, it looks like we might have a few stooges this time around.
September 24, 2012 at 10:33 AM
You are right Glenhuntly. How quickly we forget! I do recall this from earlier elections. Cheryl Forge is standing again. Perhaps there is a feeling amongst the sitting candidates that change is in the air?
September 23, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Kate and all candidatas in Camden Ward- Im very interested in what your views are on traffic management – which has been appalling in GE.
Im particular Im keen to hear your approach/strategy for getting rid of the rat runs in local streets created by this GE Council’s lack of strategic thinking when agreeing to VicRds introducing 40kph in Glenhuntly Rd (and many more similra rmain arterial roards in GE).
How will you win this fight for residents at Council which is /may continue to be stacked by the gang (Gad forbid!) who do not gioe a damn about residents and us ratepayers – frankly we are sick of excuses given by Council that theres no issue as traffic volumes are apparently within the nebulous “State Guidelines” and worst still not budgeted for.
We want back to basic services, not grandiose infrastructure projects, such as the GESAC monstrosity, for which ratepayers have paid dearly & will continue to be slugged with higher rtaes for a long long time.
Love to hear from all candidtates your proposal on this critically important issue….
September 23, 2012 at 4:40 PM
You must feel empowered Elsternwick. I doubt that your views will swing the vote. There are about 20,000 people that will vote in Camden ward. If 1% read this blog that would be 200 and look at a single issue. it will not be a game changer.
September 23, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Mr Steedman & Mr Kuran,
Are either of you aligned with any political party?
If either of you were to not get the numbers who would be your preferred candidate from the remaining people?
September 23, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Isn’t Steedman a greenie?
September 29, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Hi Anonymous,
there are only 5 Greens Candidates in Glen Eira
Tucker Ward – Hedger and Read
Camden – Sounness
Rosstown – Pilling and Mikelsons
I’m happy to answer any questions that I can to help out.
Cheerio from
Brett Hedger (Greens Candidate in Tucker Ward)
September 24, 2012 at 1:51 AM
Regarding Kate Dempsey’s comments, I think it’s great that she is contributing to this forum to engage with voters. However, her policy statements pretty much follow the patten of nearly every other candidate – maintain community services, keep rates down, oppose inappropriate development, open and responsive local government, independent candidate, etc, etc. We’ve heard it all before.
So here’s a few specifics for Kate and any other candidate who cares to contribute.
What is your view on the Caulfield Racecourse developments and what are you going to do about it?
What is your position on rates, have increases been too high, would you favor a rates freeze?
Will you commit to keeping the Carnegie Pool open?
Booran Reservoir – are you satisfied that it won’t be available to the community for at least 6-8 years?
Council meeting procedures – will you support councillors notice of motion, right of reply to answers to questions from the public, web casting meetings?
Looking forward to the avalanche of responses from candidates.
September 24, 2012 at 10:04 AM
In response to Glenhuntly, just a clarification: I have never said “maintain community services”. This is because local government is effectively mandated to provide these services, they cannot (nor should they be) cut, so I would never suggest it as it would display an ignorance of the rules in local government. Secondly, I have never said “keep rates down”, I know this is a common mantra of candidates, but it has not come from me. This is because it irritates me when candidates say that! I cannot promise something like that and would not until I get into council and see the state of the current debt levels and the plans to cover the debt.
Just quickly on your other issues…I think 22 storeys is too high for the racecourse development and it will be disruptive for years as it is built. I am not sure what can be done about it now that the State government has approved it and the developers retained, but I think Council should certainly be right in there, seeking to minimise the disruption it will cause as it is built, to ensure the centre of the racecourse is opened to the public (as was the deal made) and to advocate with other parties over transport and infrastructure issues as they arise. This will be a 10 year development and it should be a key priority of council to maintain its voice and its advocacy for residents.
On your other matters, I learned to swim as a kid at the Carnegie pool and I have a real soft spot for it. I would have preferred to see it upgraded than to have the GESAC.
Booran Reserve is a great opportunity for open space and I would hope to get that happening a little faster than your suggested timeline. Hopefully we can make that happen, if I am voted in to council.
As for council meeting procedures I have a few ideas there and they are on my website. Council has some by-laws regarding council meeting procedures which could well be reviewed in my opinion. I suggest you look there for my suggested changes. http://www.katedempseyforgleneira.net
September 25, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Kate, a word of warning in Glen Eira you do not state your intentions of stated policies or otherwise you will be told at council if elected that you will be winky poppped if you try to carry out your promises. Just see how Frank Penhalliuriack was forced to stand down and become3 invfisible on the racecourse reserve issue!!!!!