In front of countless residents waiting to vote late this afternoon, Esakoff, Hyams and Jack Esakoff sank to the lowest depths of gutter politics and personal slander. Here’s what happened.
Penhalluriack was speaking with a voter in the queue who had asked him a question. The unholy triumvirate were on the opposite side of the queue. Penhalluriack started answering the resident’s questions by pointing out the huge interest bill accrued via GESAC and the impact on rates for the next 15 years. Esakoff intervened with “tell the truth Frank”. Penhalluriack told her to mind her own business since he was basically engaged in a private conversation. Mr Esakoff then accused Penhalluriack of lying and the crème de resistance came from Hyams who stated that Penhalluriack has no “principles”.
Not only was such behaviour embarrassing, it demeaned council and in particular these 3 individuals. We also have to wonder whether it possibly breached the councillor code of conduct. This is not the first time that Hyams has revealed his true colours with obnoxious remarks directed at both councillors and residents. Mr Esakoff’s performance over these past two weeks also needs to come under scrutiny. As for Esakoff herself, we can only surmise that if she had devoted as much time to being an informed councillor as she is to muck-raking and electioneering, then Glen Eira would be a far better place.
Glen Eira Debates 
October 26, 2012 at 6:14 PM
After all the nasty things said about Esakoff, Hyams, etc on here (most of the worst abuse being thankfully edited out), it’s a bit hypocritical to accuse them of “obnoxious remarks”.
October 26, 2012 at 8:07 PM
Obnoxious remarks are accurate. Hyams has on several occasions attacked members of the gallery and Penhalluriack in chambers with his snide smart arse comments. They were obnoxious and unwarranted especially since he’s mayor and supposed to set an example.
October 26, 2012 at 7:20 PM
I have been following the Council Election and must admit that unlike past elections this one has sunk to an all time low in terms of Councillor behaviour and lack of information provided by candidates. Unfortunately, according to media reports, this is not unique to Glen Eira. However, not being unique should not be interpreted as right or approved behaviour – it is conduct unbecoming.
That a three time mayor (and her spouse) and the current mayor sink to such lows is indicator of just how dysfunctional this Council is. As this site has pointed out time and time again it really is time for a change and personally I won’t be voting for any incumbent.
October 26, 2012 at 7:52 PM
Hard to believe that people who behave like this (and I mean all Councils, not just Glen Eira) are looking to be included in the constitution as the third tier of government.
No wonder the government is looking to overhaul the whole Council Election process.
October 26, 2012 at 9:09 PM
I’m frankly dismayed to read all the recent publicity about council elections and the grubby games that have been happening everywhere. What’s in this post is no exception. Hyams is certainly the last person to be a reliable judge of principles and moral fibre in my opinion.
October 26, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Would you believe the 3 Stooges or the so called Councillor who says he will give us a zero rate increase.They are all hopeless.
October 26, 2012 at 10:01 PM
What a load of utter crap!! I witnessed the encounter and what you describe can only be the viewpoint of Frank or Cheryl, because you weren’t there. The fact is Frank was telling the person that interest bill alone on GESAC was costing $3m a year. That is a lie. I heard him repeat it to a number of voters, until Margaret pulled him up on this. Where you state “otherside of the queue”, she was no more than 3 feet away from Frank at the time. Jamie approached the discussion and was asked by Margaret what the real figure was. Once Frank heard this, he tried to back-peddle, but the damage to his own credibility was already done in the eyes of those voters. Maybe Frank is upset that he was caught out. I never heard Jamie accuse Frank of having no principles.
Perhaps Frank should be asked why he placed posters on empty shop windows at 643 Glenhuntly Rd, 825 Glenhuntly Rd and 467B Hawthorn Rd, and at an empty site at the corner of Hotham St and Glen Eira Rd ,all without permission of the managing agents or owners. He is lucky they didn’t call the police, as this is vandalism in the eyes of the law.
If you want to be a mouthpiece for Frank, you should make sure he tells you the truth.
MODERATORS COMMENT: It would be wonderful if you happened to get your facts right. In the first place the annual interest repayments on GESAC are in the order of $3 million dollars per year! We direct you to the minutes of 26th June 2012 (ie budget acceptance) where it is stated on page 519: “Council has drawn down $25m in borrowings in the early part of 2011-12. Loan repayments of approximately $2.9m will be made on an annual basis. Borrowings outstanding as at 30 June 2013 are projected to be $23.4m”.
Further, Council has admitted to an additional payment of $3 million to Hansen & Yuncken that it was holding back as part of its “liquidated damages” claim. This is far from settled and Hansen and Yuncken are in fact claiming $4.2 million (and costs we would assume). The financial report in the minutes of 4th September 2012 contained this paragraph: “Council has deducted liquidated damages against the contract. Recently as advised to Councillors, the contractor applied for adjudication pursuant to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic) for a sum of $4.2M. Progress with these claims will be disclosed as it occurs”.
We have corroborated what we have written via several witnesses. It’s a pity that your ignorance of the facts matches the error of your “eye-witness” account.
October 26, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Thank you moderators for setting this acolyte of Esakoff and Hyams straight. Gesac is the black hole that has cost the earth and will never pay for itself. It’s been badly managed from the start and will end up costing ratepayers a fortune. The gang are gullible yes men with no business acumen whatsoever.
October 27, 2012 at 2:49 AM
So you actually quote figures of $2.9m a year which is interest AND principal payments. This is very different to Frank claiming interest payments alone of $3m a year.
Thanks for showing that he did indeed, lie to voters.
October 27, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Reckon ya dont have a mortgage cos any bunny knows that the principal is nothing compared to the interest you pay and it takes forever to get to a manageable amount for the principal. How about the fab deal that Newton and Lipshutz made? 8% plus or ever and everywhere else they’re dropping. That takes real good planning.
October 26, 2012 at 10:04 PM
I’m surprised people are surprised. Their behaviour is characteristic.
Esakoff and Hyams should never have been re-elected after being part of a dysfunctional Council that was so bad it was sacked. Says a lot about how astute and aware our residents are.
October 26, 2012 at 10:59 PM
LISTEN TO NEIL MITCHELL MAKING LIPSHUTZ SQUIRM –
[audio src="http://www.3aw.com.au/displayPopUpPlayerAction.action?&url=http://media.mytalk.com.au/3AW/AUDIO/231012-Glen-Eira-Council.mp3" /]
October 27, 2012 at 2:58 PM
Lipshutz blames everyone else. He’s even stooped to blaming the father of the frisbee kids over an application. Everyone according to him is acting politically and has got a grudge against council. Wake up will you Lipshutz. Look in the mirror and see what the problems with this council are. You’re not going to solve a single thing if you always keep blaming everyone else except yourself. If you’ve stuffed up then admit it like a man and don’t look for excuses.
October 27, 2012 at 7:25 AM
Looks like Esakoff and Hyams might have breached the Code of Conduct with this attack on Frank.
October 27, 2012 at 11:22 AM
TODAY- A FINAL OPPRTUNITY FOR A CLEAN SLATE- DO NOT VOTE FOR THE SELF SERVING INCUMBENT COUNCILLORS, PARTICULARLY THE LONG SERVING -HYAMS, ESAKOFF, LIPSHUTZ.
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE FOR US EXCEPT PUT IN US IN GRET DEBT AT THE GREAT EXPENSE OF GOOD BASIC SERVICES.- CALMING TRAFFIC, GOOD PLANNING, DRAINS, FOOTPATHS, ACCESSIBLE HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE & AGED CARE. THIS IS THE OVERARCHING PURPOSE OF LOCAL GOVT- NOT BUILDING MASSIVE GARNDIOSSE INFRASTRUCTYRE SUCH AS GESAC!
(Moderators: sentence deleted)
GO FOR A CLEAN SLATE TODAY!
October 27, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Seems to me that there is plenty of room to sink lower, and that this is just typical political argy-bargy by multiple parties that hate each other’s guts. At least neither party accused the other of beating their husband/wife. In some ways passion is good, just a shame the same energy isn’t put into improving governance. As has been demonstrated repeatedly during the course of the last 12 months, the Councillor Code of Conduct is dead. Makes for amusing reading, comparing what it says with the actual behaviour of the people it applies to—whether respect, teamwork, transparency, or objectivity.
October 27, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Early figures from camden postal and early voting.
Lipsgutz. 66%. Framk P. 9%. Kuran 7%
Delahunty. 6%. Others 22%.
Looks like Lipshutz, Frank and either Kuran or Delahunty.
October 27, 2012 at 9:57 PM
Revise that camden is pretty well decided
Lipshutz, Delehunty and Soulness
You could bet on that.
October 27, 2012 at 9:54 PM
Not sure where you’re getting your figures anon
Camben
Delahunty 29.38%
Lipshutz 19.72%
Sounness 14.56%
Pehalluriack 10.79%
Rosstown
Esakoff 33.19%
Okotel 22.47%
Pilling 15.92%
Tucker
Hyams 22.38%
Tight for the other two spots between Lobo, Read, Andonopoulos and Magee.
Early days yet. However it’s fairly much as I predicted. Sadly, not much will change.
October 28, 2012 at 8:30 AM
Wrong. Provisional results are available via Google and it appears Frank and Cheryl are gone. Where are you Glen Eira?
October 28, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Lipshutz and Delaunty both elected.
When there are 3 left to fight out the last spot, Kuran will be ahead of both Sounness and Frank.
If Frank is 5th at this stage, Sounness will be elected, if Souness is 5th, Kuran will be elected.
October 28, 2012 at 12:37 PM
My figures are from VEC. You are the one who is way off.
October 28, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Frank will get in but only on preferences. There was only one green candidate in Camden. People looking for a change helped give Mary the most votes while Lipshutz scraped through on the Jewish vote. Still interesting times ahead as Mary is no gang member.