GlenHuntly & Thereabouts

Ah Councillor Staikos, there is no better investment that ensuring the most honest method of holding an election achieves Candidates that are known to sections of the community within Glen Eira: Residents have had enough of shifty backroom deals which favour a specific candidate over another.Stacking the democratic system! No more “same campaign managers” acting for four candidates or having candidates who speak little or no English and only want to refer residents back to the same shonky campaign manager, when questioned about their intentions for Council.

Residents & candidates know the attendance voting system will favour the existing Councillors because they are “known”. It is up to residents to make the effort to acquire the best possible candidates acting for the residents, to be ELECTED.

Knowledge of the candidate by the community is imperative.

Residents want Councillors who will respect their viewpoints and treat Submission to Council as an alternative solution to issues already canvassed to them by Council

Councillor Staikos Viewpoint (Representing Tucker Ward)

Better investments

Glen Eira city councillors have recently voted for attendance voting to the November 2008 council election instead of the postal option.

Attendance voting is $120,000 more expensive than postal. As one of the councillors who argued against attendance voting, I would like to name a few initiatives where these ratepayer funds would be better spent.

The fund could have gone towards establishing one or two walking paths in our parks or drought-proofing an oval.

Council could have allocated the funds to Glen Eira’s wonderful community houses; Moongala Community House, Godfrey Street community House, Glen Eira Adult Learning Centre and Caulfield South Community House.

The funds could have been included in the community grants funds to be distributed to our senior citizens clubs, sports clubs and other organisations.

Alternatively, the funds could have been committed to establishing much need bus shelters and seating, something that has been in the media recently. Sites in need include Mackie Road, outside Moorleigh Community Centre and near the East Bentleigh Senior citizens Centre.

Clearly, there are other areas where this money would have been better spent.