Starting next week (6th, 7th and 8th October) Save Glen Eira & the Glen Eira Residents’ Association, are holding forums where residents can interact with candidates and hear their views on what is needed in Glen Eira going forward. There will also be time for questions to the candidates.
In order to participate, everyone will need to register for these Zoom forums. The details are:
CAMDEN: Tuesday, 6th October – 7.30pm
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvce6vqDMtE9UHSDunNUyaBTquv9sxr08q
ROSSTOWN: Wednesday, 7th October – 7.30pm
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsceqpqDsuH9zG_QakYfk7XIzfyEIw2mM3
TUCKER: Thursday, 8th October – 7.30pm
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIofuGrrD0qHdK_bu4XAwM8useR0ropg3b2
Those who register will receive an email as confirmation and be provided with access to the meetings.
Council elections are often seen as a meaningless imposition for many people. Most we suspect wouldn’t have a clue as to who is who, or even who their current councillors are. Yet, when one considers the role that local government has, and how it affects almost every aspect of our lives, those we elect have a tremendously important role to play. From land use, to rates and how this is spent, to child care, aged care, environmental responsibility, parking, etc. local government plays a huge role. Therefore, everyone’s vote does count!
We urge all readers to take the time and to consider what each individual candidate has to offer and therefore what they could contribute to making Glen Eira a far more cohesive and resident respondent council. Huge challenges are facing all of us – economically through COVID, massive overdevelopment, traffic congestion; loss of tree canopy; and consultation that needs to improve dramatically.
As we’ve said – it is definitely time for a change. So please register for these forums and consider who will best serve the interests of the community over the next four years.
Glen Eira Debates 
October 1, 2020 at 12:08 PM
Thank you for the notice. Will register.
October 1, 2020 at 3:11 PM
I wonder if anyone at the Camden Forum will remind Grossbard of his phone rorting back before 2004.
Sacking of Council – 2004
In September 2004, the then Minister for Local Government, Candy Broad, was asked to appoint an inspector by the Glen Eira City Council to investigate and report on matters arising out of an internal audit of councillors’ expenses.
In July 2005, the Inspector of Municipal Administration, Merv Whelan, forwarded a report to the Minister. The key findings portrayed a complete breakdown of communication and behavioural standards within the elected council, although Whelan found the council was well-managed and in a sound financial position because of its CEO and administration. A report in The Age newspaper alleged that several councillors had used their phone entitlements for non-council purposes.
On 11 August 2005, the then Minister sacked the council, and appointed John Lester, the former Chief Commissioner of Darebin City Council and former chair of the Victorian Grants Commission, as Administrator. An election for a new council was held on 26 November 2005 with redrawn ward boundaries.Only one councillor from the previous council, Margaret Esakoff, was re-elected. Three other sacked councillors (Noel Erlich, Veronika Martens and Bob Bury) did run again but failed to get elected into council.
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/City_of_Glen_Eira
October 1, 2020 at 3:30 PM
The ensuing Whelan Report (up on our website) does indicate that Grossbard’s council phone was being used for purposes outside council matters. He claimed it was inadvertent use by a family member and refunded approximately $700+. The other councillor involved in this issue was Goude whose use of phones exceeded $4,000. We do not know whether the entire amount owed by Goude was ever returned to council.
October 1, 2020 at 5:20 PM
Very creditable, a $700 accident on a phone bill, I don’t think so.
October 1, 2020 at 10:37 PM
“Goude” the man that never was, he is so easy to forget
4,000 grand of phone calls, WTF, how on earth could anyone manage that.
A sweetheart in Russia, once again the voters picked the right man.
Maybe a good question at the coming forums, would be:-
“will you stick rater payers with a huge phone bill?
Dial 123# for “yes” or 321# for”no” …. charges will apply.