Stunning upset as new-look Monash Council revealed

Posted to Monash Weekly on 30/10/2012 04:23 PM
Commenting on "Stunning upset as new-look Monash Council revealed"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/429706/stunning-upset-as-new-look-monash-council-revealed/?cs=1481#comment-695976425

Congratulations to those councillors elected. You have a big task ahead, in particular to resolve the unfunded superannuation. I hope the councillors new or old can spend more time talking with the ratepayers, including the business operators. The window displays of shops need to be freshened up, and not to look like some low class, back-ally junk shops.

Over emphasis on mall shopping is short-sighted and will lead to the death of the suburbs. The hygiene standards in many food premises, including grocery shops, have declined, and occupational health and safety must be more closely monitored. The council meetings had been really boring: the discussions were substandard, and some councillors should keep to two or three sentences.

Monash election: He’s my mate, not running mate, says candidate

Posted to Monash Weekly (15/10/2012) on 17/10/2012 at 9:02 AM
Commenting on "Monash election: He’s my mate, not running mate, says candidate"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/398396/monash-election-hes-my-mate-not-running-mate-says-candidate/

What a sacrifice for Benjamin Djung to drop out from university just to become a councillor. It is disappointing that some candidates do not declare openly the reason they preference so-and-so or, when asked in a media questionnaire, do not admit their political membership. Please vote wisely.

Monash poll: meet the candidates

Posted to Monash Weekly (8/10/2012) on 12/10/2012 at 10:42 AM
Commenting on "Monash poll: meet the candidates"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/379363/monash-poll-meet-the-candidates/

Once upon a time, councillors were volunteers who had proven track records doing community work. It is laughable today that many incumbent and potential candidates are joining the bandwagon not knowing what they will be doing and should be doing on behalf of the ratepayers, and have not the slightest clue about the City of Monash or the community at large. Some mentioned that they would preference candidates who will work to lower rates, and have shared values. These are jokes, because most of them are first timers, and they don’t know each other. In short, what evidence is there to show they are what they or who they are!

Think before you vote, urges council body

Posted to Waverley Leader (8/10/2012) on 9/10/2012 at 10:06 PM
Commenting on "Think before you vote, urges council body"
http://moonee-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/think-before-you-vote-urges-council-body/

I have been urging ratepayers to vote with their brain rather their heart. Helping a political mate to get into any government does not and will not benefit your wallet and wellbeing, unless the representative is genuine to get in there for the good of the people rather than his/her own ego and glory.

I don't just vote for the new contestants for the sake of change or their political stance. I vote for them if they can demonstrate to me, at least in their campaign literature or in person, that they have the desire to effect changes in the Council chambers in response to the needs of Monash ratepayers. They must have clear understanding about gambling, and unemployment issues and traders' concern in Monash, and continue to call for a safe solution for Clayton railway crossing.

Monash Ratepayers Association confident of taking seats

Posted to Waverley Leader (20/9/2012) on 4/10/2012 at 12:22 pm, 6/10/2012 at 12:53 pm (Not yet published)
Commenting on "Monash Ratepayers Association confident of taking seats"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-ratepayers-association-confident-of-taking-seats/

Go for it Des Olin and Chan Cheah. If you get elected, do something about the nonsensical approach in annual revenue budgeting - a blanket percentage increase each year. The increase is well above the annual CPI increase.

I have attended several Council meetings and read the budget reports; I have watched the performance of the Councillors, and I can only conclude that the word budget must as well be written in a foreign language.

Were the Councillors contributory to the debate or discussion on rating system changing from SV to CIV? Sad, but true - their response was sound of silence.

More women up for council vote

Posted to Waverley Leader (26/9/2012) on 4/10/2012 at 11:23 am (Not yet published)
Commenting on "More women up for council vote"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/more-women-up-for-council-vote/

Who is stopping the women to stand as candidates in Council election? Who have been stopped to vote for a female representative? No one!

It is nonsensical to keep emphasising gender balance. This is a free country; it is the prerogative for a woman who has the drive and desire to stand in a council election to go for it.

Have men been complaining about most receptionists being women, or the air hosting dominated by female? The concept of gender balance starts from home and school, where parents and teachers have the most influence on the individuals.

City of Monash's CEO and current Mayor are female - the two top jobs in the city. I am glad that Dr Chan Cheah, a female, vice President of the Monash Ratepayers will be standing in the Mulgrave ward where I reside in. I hope she stands as a candidate, not because she wants to prove the point that she is female, but someone who has passion about the affairs of the city and wellbeing of us - the ratepayers!

Race for Monash heats up

Posted to Waverley Leader (25/9/2012) on 30/9/2012 at 11:08 PM (Not yet published by Newspaper)
Commenting on "Race for Monash heats up"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/race-for-monash-heats-up/

I'm disappointed that I can't give it another shot at the Council election after 3 failed attempts due to my recent appointment. However, I'm very happy to see new comers are going to give Paul Klisaris and Micaela Drieberg some competition in Mulgrave ward, and Geoff Lake in Glen Waverley.

I have been urging ratepayers to vote with their brain rather their heart. Helping a political mate to get into any government does not and will not benefit your wallet and wellbeing, unless the representative is genuine to get in there for the good of the people rather than his/her own ego and glory.

I don't just vote for the new contestants for the sake of change or their political stance. I vote for them if they can demonstrate to me, at least in their campaign literature or in person, that they have the desire to effect changes in the Council chambers in response to the needs of Monash ratepayers. They must have clear understanding about gambling and unemployment issues in Monash, and continue to call a safe solution for Clayton railway crossing.

Before you cast your vote, read what Des Olin, Chan Cheah and Damian Lobo can offer us. It's time the Council needs some new blood!

Councillor calls for prayer rooms in Monash

Posted to Waverley Leader (18/9/2012) on 26/9/2012 at 11:50 PM
Commenting on "Councillor calls for prayer rooms in Monash"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/room-to-be-more-embracing/">

On 21/2/2011, I responded to the article "$45,000 bill for Monash women-only pool sessions" published by Waverley Leader dated 14/2/2011 by saying that ".... The next DEMAND will be prayer room and special toilets in all public facilities in the City of Monash."

http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/your-view-45-000-bill-for-monash-women-only-pool-sessions/

I was not wrong, wasn't I? I strongly urge all ratepayers of Monash reject such irresponsible proposal, for this will bring division among the various races in City of Monash, which to date its people live peacefully and harmoniously.

PS Due to recent appointment to a Monash organisation, I have to forgo the contest in the Glen Waverley Ward in the upcoming council election.

More urged to contest Victorian elections

Posted to City of Waverley Leader (14/5/2012) on 4/7/2012 at 12:58 PM
Commenting on "STAND FOR COUNCIL: More urged to contest Victorian elections"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/stand-for-council-more-urged-to-contest-polls/

In the City of Monash, 9 out of 11 are Labor members or associated with the party. If one is not specific partisan aligned, you have Buckley's chance. Need to say more?

Asians in Monash

Posted to Letters to Editor, Monash Weekly on 2/7/2012 at 9:00 PM
Title: "Asians in Monash"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/content/letterstotheeditor/

Some of the 2011 Census data has been released. The make up of Monash leads to my following observation and raise some questions.

Asian population is definitely on the increase in the City of Monash. It is of interest to me to find out what attracts them to come to the City? What is the City going to do about the changing demographics in terms of their needs and wants, promotion of social integration, discouraging Tower of Babel building, etc.

Unfortunately, there is lack of proportional representation of Asians in the Council. I sincerely encourage all Asians to take an active role in Council matters, stand as candidates for the forthcoming Council election and be counted.

With such high Asian background population, predominantly from very competitive ethnic origins such as Chinese and Indian, also explains why City of Monash enjoy high employment.

Will ratepayers at City of Monash learn from Queensland state election held on 24/3/2012?

Posted to Your News, Waverley Leader on 25/3/2012 at 4:48 PM (Not published by Newspaper)
Title: Will ratepayers at City of Monash learn from Queensland state election?

The number of Labor Councillors in the City of Monash is 9 out of the total of 11. I am deeply concerned about local council being used as a training ground of future state and federal politicians for candidates backed by political parties with financial and other resources. This deprives other non-politically aligned candidates the opportunity to contribute towards the good of the City and the ratepayers.

This may sound like the voice of a sour grape, but then this is a statement of fact. It is unlikely for quality and genuine independents to sacrifice their time and livelihood (including money) to campaign for a position, only to find out there is Buckley’s chance to even get back their deposit money, unless there is a level playing field. Those who have burning desire to contribute will likely pack up their boxing gloves after a number of attempts.

Better resourced and influential candidates have running mates; some are even dummies who do not supply contact details to the electoral office. The purpose of having these dummies that are unlikely to win is to preference their votes to their mates to boost the count. Unfortunately, the existing preferential voting system and non-contact disclosure cannot be amended.

Some decisions made by the City executives are just being rubber stamped by the Councillors. The Council meetings can be described as more than courteous. There are insufficient scrutiny and accountability. To name a few, these include annual rate increase, council expenses including Councillors', use of technology and most laughably the curtain at Clayton pool.

While many items seem transparent, nonsensical transparency is worth as much as the nonsense itself. It is important for ratepayers to learn more about the candidates before casting their votes this October council election. The City’s future – rate collection, development, open space, traffic management, business mix, social harmony, community health services, etc. must be discussion topics and subject to more vigorous scrutiny.