PS: Before we forget, we remind readers that the Mayoral ‘election’ is taking place tonight. Strong rumour has it that Pilling will get the nod, but the intrigue involves the Deputy Mayor. Again, the rumour is that Lobo will be supporting Lipshutz for Deputy instead of Delahunty. If true, how amazing! An individual who has been screaming ‘racism’ , who is a Labor man, will now support his nemesis? If Lipshutz is running for Deputy, then it is pretty clear in our view as to why – Pilling needs a ‘minder’ to ensure that he sticks to the gang’s agenda! If there is any credence to this rumour then what a sorry, sorry state of affairs!
Glen Eira Debates 
November 12, 2013 at 11:17 AM
Its a proven concept: Melbourne University’s South Lawn sits on top of a carpark. In fact the carpark now has a heritage listing due to its significance as the original example of the concept, plus its parabolic columns make it visually interesting. It’s very rare you hear the expression “as pretty as a carpark”.
http://www.onmydoorstep.com.au/heritage-listing/3808/underground-car-park
November 12, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Car parks and more development are far more important to this council than open space. If it were any different then open space levies would have been on a par with other councils years ago and millions would not have been spent in ad hoc decision making over destroying Bailey Reserve and now Centenary Park. Even the latest exercise in sham consultation (the open space review) can only come up with the recommendation of a 4 to 5 percent levy. No figures are given and no recommendation that commercial development pay a lot more.
$28m can certainly buy a fair bit of land. This has taken commitment, planning and good financial management. Glen Eira’s vision is to spend $250,000 for the Elsternwick Plaza which has been talked about since the late nineties and years down the track Booran Reservoir will be tackled. That’s been on the agenda for at least ten years too.
November 12, 2013 at 11:50 AM
If Lobo votes for Lipshutz then he should resign on the spot. His integrity and credibility will be shot to pieces.
November 12, 2013 at 12:16 PM
If the rumours are true Lobo must be on a crash and burn trajectory.
It’s extremely difficult to reconcile his criticisms of Lipshutz in the local Leader with support for Lipshutz as Deputy Mayor. Such an about face is unconscionable – either he should stand by what he says or he should stand down.
His performance as a Councillor has been far from impressive and from a Labor Party perspective, a vote for Lipshutz as Deputy Mayor over Delahunty, is surely the death knell for any higher political aspirations he may have. No doubt Staikos and Crean are having doubts about their support for him.
November 12, 2013 at 12:35 PM
Lobo should be mayor. That would be entirely fitting. A dud, incompetent dp for a dud, incompetent council so that the blind can lead the blind and Newton holds the cane.
November 12, 2013 at 1:26 PM
OMG – yet another situation where it looks like Lobo has the deciding vote (lets just hope he shows this time).
Unfortunately for residents whenever this happens Lobo just caves and sides with the gang (Lipshutz, Hyams, Esakoff and Tang’s pathetic replacement, Okotel). Now this could all be explained by political wheeling and dealing but each time it happens poor old un-astute Oscar comes away empty handed. All this caving and all he’s got to show for it is a never to be repeated year as Deputy Mayor and absolutely zip for residents.
He reckons his 3 years of being the silent Councillor was time spent learning how Council functions. Well it’s about time he showed how much he learnt and voted according to his expressed wishes for new blood in the Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral roles.
November 12, 2013 at 1:44 PM
I think I’m right in saying that Lipshutz ran for deputy mayor a couple of years ago when Hyams got in by a coin toss. Lipshutz lost. Must have been a real blow to his ego. He will only stand tonight if he’s totally sure he’s got the numbers. Losing twice for the low, low position of deputy would be very grating for a man like him. If in the end Lobo does vote for him then I endorse what others have said. He should hang his head in shame and quit.
November 12, 2013 at 3:11 PM
Lobo cannot vote for the gang if he is true to his word, surely his riddles will be backed up by strong actions tonight.
November 12, 2013 at 4:08 PM
Lipshutz is not giving pilling the Mayoralty without a pay back.
November 12, 2013 at 5:46 PM
Neil’s a real cheap skate – selling his soul to the gang for so very very little. Hey Neil what have you got? A e waste disposal. A mere morsel thrown your way. That’s sure not worth all your other cave ins and kissing arses along the way is it? Come on – confess. What else will the gang get you to do for your “prize” because I reckon that is sure on the cards.
November 12, 2013 at 3:18 PM
The Greens will do what Lipshutz tells them to do.
November 12, 2013 at 3:23 PM
When the first rumour surfaced about Pilling being Mayor I was surprised that Hyams, Esakoff and Lipshutz had, even if only for a year, relaxed their grip on the Mayors role. I was pretty impressed they were willing to give someone from outside their clique a go. Now I’m not so sure as I’m hearing that Pilling might get a minder (Lipshutz) rather than someone who is really showing potential (Delahunty) and that it depends on Oscar.
Although Oscar doesn’t have a great track record in voting against the ruling clique, I hope that this time he actually thinks about his vote and how good it will be for Glen Eira to have both a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from outside the clique.
November 12, 2013 at 4:11 PM
From what I am reading, tonight Glen Eira Councillors have an opportunity to appoint “new blood” as the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. For years Glen Eira has had alternating Mayors and not much changed. Like a lot of others I believe the old guard is so entrenched in itself that it has forgotten it’s basic reason for being (i.e. to represent and serve the ratepayers) and that it is time a change was made.
Both Pilling (Mayor) and Delahunty (Deputy Mayor) have shown their willingness to really listen and represent ratepayers. Additionally, both have been responsible for raising relevant contentious issues, introducing new initiatives and an openness to discuss. These are the leadership qualities that residents expect and therefore both should be given the opportunity of leading Glen Eira in 2014.
November 12, 2013 at 4:52 PM
I respectfully suggest that your approval of Pilling is misplaced. On practically every major planning application he has accepted the developer’s ambits. On the C60 special committee he blindly endorsed Esakoff Hayms and Lipshutz’s betrayel of the community and again when it came to the centre of the racecourse.
The only token of resistance has been on the car parks and the notice of motion. Hardly a stupendous record in 5 years as a councillor.
November 12, 2013 at 8:10 PM
I agree with D. Evans – the only thing green about Pilling is his lawn.
He consistently votes for high density developments and ignores their well known energy guzzling and suggests residents of multi-unit developments use Victrack car parks rather than making the developer adhere to the standards.
The only he has achieved is the E-waste proposal that is currently being scaled back. He sold out big time for C60 and since then has never looked back when it comes to selling out.
As least the obnoxious Lipshutz doesn’t hide his pro-development views.
November 12, 2013 at 4:30 PM
If the Greens vote for Lipshutz, I will never vote for any Green ever again and hope every Glen Eira resident does the same.
November 12, 2013 at 6:06 PM
People who make judgements will be judged sooner or later. Lobo is a staunch catholic and is seen twice a week in the church and when approached listens and endeavours to do his best.
Message leave Lobo alone. People have voted for Lobo and is in his second term on his own accord even above Magee.
November 12, 2013 at 7:37 PM
Lobo is the stand out Mayoral candidate. He has brilliant leadership skills and is the only councillor capable of reforming the council.