Several crucial facts have not been included in this Leader article.
- Lobo’s outburst had nothing to do with the Open Space Strategy but everything to do with the Community Consultation Committee and its nomination of 4 community reps. Readers should note that Delahunty is chair of this committee and it includes Hyams, Lobo and Esakoff as the other councillors.
- Lobo was the only councillor to vote against the recommendation to accept the nominees. He questioned the process and the decision saying that councillors should be exercising their ‘conscience’ and ‘loyalty to residents’.
- Lobo claimed that since the committee’s formation in 2009 there was no process involved which ‘showed transparency and democracy’ since ‘there’s nothing in writing’.
- Lobo wanted the report to go ‘back to the drawing board’.
- Council re-advertised its call for community reps following the applications by 4 residents. The spin was that council wanted a ‘broader’ representation. Esakoff moved the motion to accept, claiming that these 4 new people were ‘most appropriate’ and represented a ‘broad spectrum’.
- Lobo also revealed that one of the arguments for not appointing an individual from the first round of applications was that he would be using the committee for ‘election purposes’ in 2016!!!!!! We assume this was a reference to Newton Gatoff.
- Without pre-judging the performance of these 4 new community reps we have to ask: were they ‘requested’ to apply and if so, by whom? Were the original group of applicants rejected because they were perceived to be knowledgeable on council affairs and would question too much?
Glen Eira Debates 
October 22, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Cr Lobo’s Claim that “there was a campaign among councillors to undermine his bid to become mayor”. Is Cr Lobo saying that if you don’t vote for him to be mayor, you are a racist?
October 22, 2013 at 12:41 PM
yes that just how he feels, little man little idea
October 22, 2013 at 11:39 AM
First lesson of politics. You don’t sell your soul and then expect any deal to be honoured. Lobo got Hyams across the line in the hope of being repaid the following year. Trouble is that Lobo’s a loose cannon and Pilling is a safer and more predictable bet. He will do as he’s told and the gang will still be running the show.
October 22, 2013 at 11:49 AM
What is Pilling giving to Lipshutz in return to be a mayor? Very disappointed in you Neil.
October 22, 2013 at 11:51 AM
I’ve got a query that perhaps Cr Lobo might be willing to answer himself? Cr Lobo only spent a very short period of time on the audit committee. He replaced Cr Magee and then Magee resumed his position, together with the ever present Lipshutz on the committee. The committee would, I imagine, have its hands full with Gesac business and the, at times, parlous financial state of council. Could Cr Lobo please let us know if his short term stay was his own choice or whether it was decided that Magee, being a strong supporter of the ever increasing expenditure on Gesac, would be the preferred option?
October 22, 2013 at 12:00 PM
It’s not Gesac, its Magesac.
October 22, 2013 at 12:46 PM
Is that Oscar standing near CK foodstore in Bentleigh?
October 22, 2013 at 3:25 PM
Maybe he’s hanging out for another splash
October 22, 2013 at 12:51 PM
MODERATORS: comment deleted
October 22, 2013 at 1:04 PM
What a happy little bunch of campers. Oh, deary, deary, me.
October 22, 2013 at 1:38 PM
Why has Pilling emerged as the new favourite off the gang?
October 22, 2013 at 2:40 PM
If Lobo has got genuine claims of discrimination then he should take it a lot further either to the ombudsman or to the equal opportunity board and the inspectorate.
October 22, 2013 at 4:46 PM
If Cr.Lobo did head off to the ombudsman or equal opportunity board his efforts may not amount to much. The staff and all the other councillors would mount such a strong case in response he may have to change his number plates.
October 22, 2013 at 4:55 PM
I don’t like any of this, whether it comes from Lobo or from Hyams and Lipshutz. The race/ethnic/religious card is pulled too often by some of these councillors. All it achieves is to cloud the issues which is perhaps part of the general aim.
On this occasion and ignoring the claims of racial discrimination I think Lobo may have a point. If 4 people nominated and if not one of them was selected in the end I’d like to know why. It’s all about transparency which does not occur too frequently in Glen Eira. As long as there are advisory committees that include those whom council believes are “appropriate” and which aren’t open to the public then this council doesn’t believe in transparency and good government.
October 22, 2013 at 5:13 PM
“Daze in Our Lives”
A very compelling Leader Story of contemporary Australian City Council life in 1950s
“Well there were some very surprising performances here Margaret, and some most surprising revelations to, I would have to say ”
“David nothing surprises me is a GE production anymore we’ve seen it all over the years, unbelievable plots, violence, sackings, court cases it was all there this time I can tell you that” ‘that us and them’ tension, you know they are so good at’ “It kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole 150 mins David”
“Well i would go that far Margaret , but I enjoyed myself” “What are the chances of a golden gong in this years awards”
“Well Pilling was a little disappointing not up to his best, but if he gets the purple robes, he will take the best costume no trouble.
“That’s true Margaret”
“Does Oscar, has a chance of fittingly getting his namesake you think” ”well it was a solid performance as expected David, he’s an outside chance”
”Well not for me Margaret. I would put my money on the Stonnington Scandal”
“your far to critical David , his delivery maybe unorthodox and hard to comprehend sometimes, but, I just love the paradoxes and riddle he throws-out, no one else does that these days, it’s truely riveting stuff, you just don’t get this out-poring of pure emotion anywhere else David”
”I guess not Margaret”
“How do you think it shapes up with his other great performances in say
“Gone With The Win”
“Apocalypse Row”
and maybe his fineness and most unforgettable
“Guess Who’s Not Coming to Dinner”
“David it was right-up there at the top .. if I had any criticism is would be for the supporting actors, they were, you know a little lack-lustre, we have seen better, lots better, from them over the years.
“Well that could be true Margaret” “But you would have to blame that on the director wouldn’t you” After all they are the ones pulling the strings here;
“Maybe David” “Maybe” “But we’ve seen some very good ad-libbing in past performances and well I kinda like like off the cuff style he brings, as you know”
“2 Stars from me Margaret”
“Your to harsh David I’m giving it four”
I can’t wait for the 3D version with subtitles
“Me too David”
October 22, 2013 at 5:28 PM
Pilling is a much superior proposition than Lobo for Mayor. Should have been Deputy Mayor had Lobo not sold out to the reactionaries.
Lobo lost me when he went on a rant on this blog. In part casting aspersions on the intellect and academic credentials of posters here. Only for one astute observer (Glen Huntly) to draw attention to the so-called qualifications in the following post in the thread “Need We Say More”:
“[i] Glen Huntly Says:
November 5, 2012 at 10:18 PM
I find it difficult to believe that these extraordinary posts come from Oscar Lobo. But I have to assume that the people running this blog wouldn’t put up such provocative posts unless they believed they were genuine. But if it’s not you Oscar, please ignore what follows.
To quote Paul Keating (yes, again – sorry) you are behaving like “the salmon that jumps onto the hook”.
Let me explain.
In your first post you tell us that we are all fools because of “lack of education in a proper private schools and top notch universities”.
And as if insulting those of us who went to public schools wasn’t enough, you then go on in your second post to question the authenticity of the qualifications of another contributor with the comment “As to the first post from Critin at 11.22 am. Degrees can be purchased from U.S. and Asia, do not give me that Critin”.
It seems you not only place great importance on formal educational qualifications, but also on the type of school or university.
And that made me wonder what your qualifications were that made you think you were so superior. They must be very impressive, I thought.
When I looked at your Linked-In entry http://www.linkedin.com/pub/oscar-c-lobo/1a/b08/5a7
I found you claim to be educated at Pacific Southern University.
So I looked up Pacific Southern University and found that it is an organisation not accredited to award degrees, was closed down by court order in Hawaii and allegedly was charging thousands of dollars for degrees over the internet.
For verification check the following websites –
http://hawaii.gov/dcca/ocp/udgi/lawsuits/PSU/
http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/Education_Degree_Scam_list.php
http://www2.guardian.co.tt/news/2011/07/17/rambachan-gets-doctorate-failed-university
One quote about this “university” from the last link is worth repeating – “It is alleged that thousands of people yearning to attain status fork out thousands of dollars in return for flashy accolades.”
Now maybe you got you qualifications from some other Pacific Southern University – but I can’t find any reference to one. Maybe you’ve got lots of qualifications from other universities. I don’t know. Maybe next time you post you will include a copy of your qualifications.
But should you really be the one make judgements about people based on their education?[/i]
October 22, 2013 at 5:47 PM
Too little too late from Lobo. He raves on about conscience but his voting doesn’t show too much conscience. He voted with the gang for Hyams and more car parks at gesac and thinks the sun shines out of Newton’s backside I’m sure.
October 22, 2013 at 6:40 PM
Yes the person who calls himself the mayor made a very nasty remark when he said that as the VOLUNTEERS for a special committee were three little women which was not good enough so council would “need” to advertise again. So if sexual discrimination is allowed to pass unnoticed for around half of the population than why would discrimination against one group or another matter to this reigning superior beings who falsely believe they act justly in the council.!
If any councillor has a differing view, even if he/she really “knows his/her stuff” as individuals it is like being in the lion’s den and every means one could possibly imagine are employed to keep the “:rulers” in a position of power without any apparent tolerance of differing views. The back rooms must be appalling where all the “agreements” are made so as we have so called “unanimous decisions”. It is no wonder councilors say unusual things in chamber after the treatments meted out beforehand. To me it seems that all councillors who have disappeared over the decade or so while this situation has been evident have given up due to feeling unable to take any more or feeling that tyey cannot continue to represent their constituents.
Each ward has three councillors… recently in one of the wards one councillor (M.L)
moved against giving an extension of time to his so called “Ward mate” MKary Delahunty/. THey surely are charged with representing their ward? Correct me if I’m wrong.
October 22, 2013 at 6:51 PM
Just look at the efforts of Crs Esakoff and Hyams as our reps. on the gifting all the wishes of the Melbourne Racing Club on our behalf. It would seem to me a simple person that a community committee wou;d include community and their independent ideas could be discussed at council with the chairperson Cr De La Hunty reporting. Maye she cannot be trusted by the powers that e in council either,
October 22, 2013 at 7:28 PM
History reveals a lot about governance in Glen Eira especially when viewed from the perspective of the composition of the major advisory committees. We’ve done a quick ‘review’ and found some interesting data. We ask residents to contemplate whether the following is sheer ‘coincidence’ or whether deliberate?
1. Each of the most important committees are generally stacked with what we loosely term the ‘conservative’ element of Council. Hence they constitute a majority – especially if they are chairing meetings.
2. The same old faces on the same old committees year after year – exactly like the Audit committee. How fortunate! How cosy! How convenient!
2009
Community consultation – Esakoff, Hyams and Pilling
Local laws – Lipshutz, Pilling and Tang
Recreation and Sport – Hyams, Pilling, Tang
Pools – Esakoff, Lipshutz and Magee
2010
Community consultation – Esakoff, Hyams, Pilling
LOCAL Laws – Lipshutz, Pilling, Tang
Sport – Hyams, Magee, Tang
Pools – Esakoff, Lipshutz, Magee
2011
Community consultation – Esakoff, Hyams, Lipshutz and Penhalluriack
Local laws – Lipshutz, Pilling, Tang
Pools – Esakoff, Lipshutz, Magee
Sport – Hyams, Magee, Tang
2012
Community consultation – Esakoff, Hyams, Lipshutz, Penhalluriack
Pools – Esakoff, Lipshutz, Magee
Local laws – Lipshutz, Magee, Penhalluriack and Tang
Sport – Hyams, Lobo, Magee, Tang
2013
Community consultation – Delahunty, Esakoff, Hyams, Lobo
Pools – defunct
Local laws – Lipshutz, Lobo, Okotel
Sport – Delahunty, Lipshutz, Magee, Okotel
October 22, 2013 at 8:24 PM
To be fair most of the “conservatives” have a legal background.
October 22, 2013 at 8:44 PM
Yes, lawyers abound, but one could well ask whether lawyers add anything special to
1. consultation committees
2. whether accountants would be better suited to audit committees
3. whether sport committees would be better served by olympians
We could go on and on. The point is that in our view these committees are ‘stacked’ year after year by the same faces with the same political agendas and just happen to belong to the ‘control group’. we have already noted on numerous occasions the poor governance involved in both Lipshutz and Tang serving simultaneously and contemporaneously on both the Audit and Finance committees. Then again, Lipshutz has become a permanent member of the Audit committee and the pools committee. We reiterate that ALL committees should be rotated and changed on a regular basis. In Glen Eira, this clearly does not occur. We wonder why?!
October 22, 2013 at 10:21 PM
In my opinion playing musical Chairs will not accomplish much. The “control group” will always use foot soldiers to do their bidding. Whether it be Local Laws, Consultation Committees, Sports…
What do you think it will achieve?
It is my belief that the four community consultation committee representatives will eventually be appointed when Hyams is chairperson, as Delahuntly’s one year term is nearing its end.
Lobo’s intentions were/are to delay the appointments, while Delahuntly plays the hapless fool sitting in the shadows still keeping the seat warm for Hyams.
I believe this is Lobo’s unconventional way of calling in a favour.
October 23, 2013 at 7:40 AM
Oscar you used your casting vote to put him up as Mayor.
October 23, 2013 at 8:50 AM
Give the man a break! Lobo has begun his mission.
October 23, 2013 at 9:20 AM
“He’s only being judged on his performance as a councillor”. More to this throwaway line than meets the eye. If there’s been some kind of secret meeting and a censure motion passed then say so. If there’s another councillor conduct panel in the wings then say so. If you buggers are calling in the lawyers then tell us how much this is costing. Then please tell us what Lobo’s supposed to have done and on what criteria he is being “judged” and if this same criteria applies to the gang.
October 23, 2013 at 6:40 PM
I’m in Lobo’s corner 100%, he has my full support. Since the last election he has been the best performing Councillor by a long shot.
October 25, 2013 at 7:21 AM
Not sure where you get your information from but attending a Council Meeting might cause you to revise that opinion.
October 26, 2013 at 8:26 PM
I read the raw documents, Why must I supplement them with a soundtrack of noise?
October 25, 2013 at 1:08 PM
Lobo is the Marcel Marceau of Glen Eira Council.
October 26, 2013 at 8:11 PM
Yes, his actions speak louder than words.
October 23, 2013 at 3:29 PM
Deputy in Racist Row – Lobo Discrimination Claim
When I glanced over the title I thought Cr Lobo was trying to join AJAX, but then I noted this rule on the AJAX website, sorry Oscar.
“Membership of “the Club” shall be open to any person who is Jewish”
October 24, 2013 at 4:33 PM
Is’nt that discrimination agianst non jews? Is that type of statement and following practice allowed under Australian anti discrimination laws.
October 24, 2013 at 11:09 PM
It’s baffling isn’t it how it’s allowed in today’s society. So non-Jews can’t play for Ajax but Jews can play for any other club. This can’t be true I’d like to hear from an Ajax Jew for their side of the story because on face value it’s discrimination.
October 26, 2013 at 8:36 PM
Where does it state that it isn’t open for non-jews? It doesn’t.
October 26, 2013 at 9:50 PM
I believe it does!
– Look up AJAXFC
– Club Info
– Club Constitution
Part 4 a – Membership
October 27, 2013 at 2:34 AM
The constitution does not explicitly state that membership isn’t open for non jews.
October 27, 2013 at 4:56 PM
Yes your right – it doesn’t explicitly state that membership isn’t open for non-Jews.
It explicitly states – “Membership of “the Club” shall be open to any person who is Jewish”
I think any fair minded person would agree you must be a Jewish to gain membership.
October 27, 2013 at 6:52 PM
The constitution does imply that membership is not open to non-jewish members of the community. According to the website it is the first and only “fully” Jewish Australian Rules football club in Australia.
If the club aims to maintain it’s identity at all times as the first and only (unique) “fully” Jewish Australian Rules football club in Australia (as stated in the Clubs Mission Statement), this again implies that membership is not open to non-Jews.
From these statements we can infer that the Club will not grant membership to a non-Jewish member of the community, as doing so would be inconsistent with the clubs aims in “maintaining (at all times) our (unique) Jewish identity (as stated in the Clubs Mission Statement).”
If you are truly concerned, I suggest you submit a request to the AJAX Football Club to provide you with the grounds upon which an application of membership is open, and the grounds upon which an application of membership is reviewed.
If they fail to provide you with this information then I would raise this issue with the Local Council.
October 27, 2013 at 7:40 PM
Raise it withCouncil,you obviously do not live in Glen Eira, I don’t think it’s acceptable using the term”unique” when any other group, club, etc would be told its discrimination based on religion
October 23, 2013 at 7:38 PM
I thought Lipshutz is or was on some kind of anti-discrimination board, he should get good advise from his fellow colleague.
October 23, 2013 at 9:09 PM
Dear 17, 18, 18a and 19 Thank you for your encouragement. It took me some time to get my head around in Council matters as I did not work in local government. On the other hand it takes time to know the players when one plays for a team. I must confess I did not know the functions of a Council other than Rates, Roads and Rubbish. In between I faced personal difficulties and work hazards and could not take part in the chambers to such an extent that Glen Eira Debates termed me as Councillor Lobo is “sitting like a dumb”.
Only few people knew the real story and now the story is different.
As regards 16 – As Marc Antony would say Brutus was an “honourable man”!
October 24, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Good to see you posting Oscar.
So by this comment I take it you honoured your commitment but in return Hyams reneged on his commitment to you?
October 27, 2013 at 8:03 AM
It’s a long way to Tipperary….
October 28, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Cr Lobo.
1. Why is Cr Lipshutz and co dumping you for Cr Pilling?
2. Did anyone offer you the mayor’s roll in 2014 for you supporting Cr Hyams for a 2nd year?
3. Last year the gang wanted to keep Pilling out and with your help they got their way. Now with Pilling’s help they keep you out.
Who is the orchestrator of all these deals?
I think it is time this council come clean on just what is going on.
October 30, 2013 at 7:47 AM
Ans: 1. Suggest the question be posed to the concerned person through
proper channels.
2. I was blind folded. “If only I could turn back time”.
3. When a lemon is squeezed to the last drop, where does the skin go?
4. That should be an educated guess.
October 30, 2013 at 11:46 AM
What is going on Cr Lobo. The residences have a right to know. You have a lot of support in the community; you need to tell the truth. If Councillors are acting inappropriately we need to know. We vote them in and we can vote them out.
October 30, 2013 at 1:46 PM
Cr Lobo,
You say “if I could only turn back time”, well you might make the same mistake again if you do not expose what is really going on with these Councillors now. You obviously have evidence against them hence your riddled answers. You must let the appropriate authorities know what’s going on, or at very least your constituents who voted for you.
October 30, 2013 at 2:47 PM
Glen Eirs now run by the Liberal/Greens coalition.