Manningham Councillor Jennifer Yang wins preselection for state seat of Mount Waverley

Posted to Waverley Leader (26/5/2014) on 26/5/2014 at 5:13 PM
Commenting on "Manningham Councillor Jennifer Yang wins preselection for state seat of Mount Waverley"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/manningham-councillor-jennifer-yang-wins-preselection-for-state-seat-of-mount-waverley/story-fngnvlxu-1226931658685

Am I cynical or just being naïve? During election time, ordinary candidates can turn into super heroes, looking after the interest of people in more than one city. Those MP's who stand for re-election can suddenly promise things that could not be done during their time in office be accomplished the next time round. Out of the blue, party leaders are able to find millions or billions of dollars to lure voters to put them in government. Come to think of it, is this a form of bribery that ICAC may be called upon to investigate?

Unfortunately, I have not come across a candidate that either has vision or specific enough to tell the voters what his / her real skill sets are and how these can be utilised and benefit the people in the council, state or Australia.

Once elected, many are promoted to their incompetence. They are just apprentices or rookies, learning on the job. Owing to such, many make mistakes and incorrect decisions that affect the lives and livelihood of ordinary people like me and millions of Australians. Many also lack people skill, which is in fact more than just hugging and kissing babies.

Chinese family to auction off the contents of their Templestowe French-Chateau style mansion including Chinese vases worth $120,000

Posted to Waverley Leader (23/5/2014) on 26/5/2014 at 5:43 PM
Commenting on "Chinese family to auction off the contents of their Templestowe French-Chateau style mansion including Chinese vases worth $120,000"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/chinese-family-to-auction-off-the-contents-of-their-templestowe-frenchchateau-style-mansion-including-chinese-vases-worth-120000/story-fngnvlxu-1226928984753

Money can't buy experience. It does not only apply to overseas or local buyers, Chinese or other races.

I have come across several bad agents who do not fill documents properly which can result in rescission of the authority or sales should the clients notice the inaccuracy and take advantage of it. Many buyers get too excited to sign on the dotted line without hesitation, which can end up buying a dud, or get into financial deep end.

Not all Victoria real estate laws are the same as interstate laws and international laws. The real sale contract is a legal document, and for a property transaction generally worth hundreds of thousands dollars, and in this case millions of dollars, buyers must either read through the faint (not fine) prints properly and understand the content, or consult a more professional agent or legal professional to go through the details. It is advisable NOT to let the salesperson to brush through any details and tell you that the "section" is irrelevant. The buyer decides whether it is relevant or otherwise. When in doubt, DO NOT sign there and then.

In recent days, there are agent representatives marketing residential property and commercial business who may not have been in the real estate industry long, but have the knack of communicating in the language of the buyers. They are achieving very good trade in the niche market. They provide extra services including how to get round loopholes for various reasons.

For some new rich, paying high price for a property is NOT for the property value - it is a status symbol, and show-off mentality.

Monash could become first metro council to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas

Posted to Herald Sun (Waverley Leader) 1/5/2014 on 6/5/2014 2:00 AM
Commenting on "Monash could become first metro council to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/monash-could-become-first-metro-council-to-ban-smoking-in-outdoor-dining-areas/story-fngnvlxu-1226902189470

So you think it is ok to dine outside cafe after smoking ban? Think again.

Many of the eating places, including those at Eaton Mall are close to roads for motor vehicles. The exhaust for these vehicles contains microscopic dangerous chemical particles harmful to the body. In addition to these is the filth and dust present in the air stirred up by the movement of vehicles and their frequent braking.

Many people suffer from various forms of illnesses without any known cause. They may be eating the so called healthy food, but may not be breathing in "healthy" air. I do not enjoy Alfresco dining as long as the surrounding is not enclosed. In fact, I choose not to dine at cafes or restaurants that leave their doors and external glass panel walls wide open.

Smoking ban will NOT kill businesses, but help prevent people from early death.

Glen Waverley trader Christo Christophidis criticises apartment balcony washing which Monash Mayor Geoff Lake says has benefits

Posted to Waverley Leader (22/4/2014) on 22/4/2014 at 11:30 AM
Commenting on "Glen Waverley trader Christo Christophidis criticises apartment balcony washing, which Monash Mayor Geoff Lake says has benefits"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/glen-waverley-trader-christo-christophidis-criticises-apartment-balcony-washing-which-monash-mayor-geoff-lake-says-has-benefits/story-fngnvlxu-1226891111228

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of multiculturalism. Oops, the culture of some who used to live in high density, high rise buildings overseas, who decorate the buildings with poles hanging multi-colour clothing including under garments.

I came to Australia many years ago in search of a better place to live with fresh air and a backyard of my own to grow plants and flowers. Times have changed; people spend mega bucks to live in shoe boxes, smelling the oily fume from surrounding restaurants; not that I don't like Char Siew or roast duck, but living in those apartments are like living in my kitchen.

Have you been inside the building? It is supposed to be new, but the cleanliness and some damage caused by selfish people moving into the premises are less than desirable. Oh yes, how can one sleep well with those announcement via the PA systems from the train stations and the school?

Security called at Clayton Street Festival after MP refused request to speak

Posted to Leader Newspaper (26/2/2014) on 26/2/2014 at 3:42 PM
Commenting on "Security called at Clayton Street Festival after MP refused request to speak"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/security-called-at-clayton-street-festival-after-mp-refused-request-to-speak/story-fngnvlxu-1226837450798

Inga Peulich should not have assumed what was practised in the past would remain unchanged. The organiser was not a crystal ball gazer who could read her mind. In my unbiased opinion, Inga Peilich's RSVP did imply her giving a speech, no matter how short it was. If she wanted to address the crowd, she should have done the right way by being explicit in her reply, and no one including Geoff Lake could decline her request since she is "servant" of Victorians.

However, Geoff Lake's remark was appalling. He should not use the occasion to gain brownie points for the Labor Party. The festival was supposedly an apolitical event, and saying that Inga Peulich was not to speak at the festival because her government did not help fund the event was naïve to say the least.

Once a govenment is elected, in this case Victoria, whether you like it not Geoff, it is the government for all Victorians, and not only for you or Inga Peulich.

It's time to grow up, you two. Your behaviour in the public is unacceptable and despicable!

Fear and misinformation about childhood vaccination

Posted to Knox Leader (22/4/2013) on 23/4/2013 at 12:40 AM
Commenting on "Belgrave GP hits out at people spreading “fear and misinformation” about childhood vaccination"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/call-to-vaccinate-children/comments-fngnvlxu-1226624633022

The following is an extract from Wikipedia on vaccination: "One of the most noteworthy allegations of vaccine-induced injury is the MMR vaccine controversy. A fraudulent 1998 paper by Andrew Wakefield, originally published in The Lancet, presented supposed evidence that the MMR Vaccine (an immunization against measles, mumps and rubella that is typically first administered to children before their first birthday) was linked to the onset of autism spectrum disorders. The article was partially retracted in 2004 by Wakefield's co-authors, and was fully retracted by The Lancet in 2010".

I would like those who believe in vaccination causing autism to tell me how many people out of the 23 million in Australia they know of are autistic. Autism and Asperger's Syndrome seem to be the new and popular neutro-medical jargons. Modern brain imaging techniques can look inside the brain but it cannot clearly identify a common pathology or to work out which part of it is causing anti-social behaviour.

What a fantastic thought that one day a scientist on this planet Earth discovers or isolates a vaccine to prevent idiocy!

Closure of Swinburne's Lilydale campus means students will face longer commutes

Posted to Waverley Leader (16/4/2013) on 16/4/2013 at 5:25 PM)
Commenting on "Closure of Swinburne's Lilydale campus means students will face longer commutes"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/closure-of-swinburnes-lilydale-campus-means-students-face-longer-commutes/story-fngnvlxu-1226620779603

With large land mass and therefore low population density, this is always a problem. Spare a thought for those coming from the regional areas to Melbourne to attend higher education. There is never enough money to go round to fund every education level.

The demographers were predicting a rapid population growth few years ago until a brake is put on in the latest census. The almost instant collapse of the international students coming to Australia to study distorted the statistical outcome, including the demand of TAFE, real estate and employment. Unfortunately, this is another disastrous consequence caused by the government policy-on-the-run. UK and Canada benefited immensely in economic terms from our international education door closure.

The government has no clue in what is going on in the education sector, and education sector has no clue in course rationalisation. The new funding model proposed by the Gillard government is half-baked; taking money from Universities to fund primary schooling is absurd and will result in massive shake out in the higher education sectors. There will be more closure of university campuses than just Swinburne Lilydale.

New CCTV cameras capture footage of people dumping rubbish at Huntingdale train station, police

Posted to Waverley Leader (16/4/2013) on 16/4/2013 at 1:59AM)
Commenting on "New CCTV cameras capture footage of people dumping rubbish at Huntingdale train station, police"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/new-cctv-cameras-capture-footage-of-people-dumping-rubbish-at-huntingdale-train-station-police/story-fngnvlxu-1226620843155

Come on, Mayor, you look pathetic sitting on a heap of rubbish like a fashion model. What sort of message are you trying to convey, an endorsement to hang around to be picked to the tip? I reckon that it is cheap shot for a photo session, in particular a person with a respectable position like a Mayor.

I have written on numerous occasions that I believe in no nonsense and zero tolerance. Culprits should not only be fined, but also do some real dirty hard labour, namely lifting the rubbish to a dump truck and clean up the place. They will be assigned duties on site to stop other dumpers from rubbishing the place.

Oakleigh's $20,000 art sculpture has divided residents

Posted to Waverley Leader (12/3/2013) on 14/3/2013 at 11:30 PM
Commenting on "Oakleigh's $20,000 art sculpture has divided residents"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/oakleighs-20000-art-sculpture-has-divided-residents/story-fngnvlxu-1226594891136

It is a matter of "the best man (artist) winning the ribbon", and in this case a Singaporean sculptor.

As a matter of fact, I agree totally with Loz that this is a hazard, and I firmly believe that this twisted metallic strip will cost Monash ratepayers millions of dollars for public liability compensation payment unless it is fenced up.

This public exhibit must be also very tempting for graffiti artists to show off their talent, and soon the silver surface with be multi-colour, matching the racial mix of City of Monash.

This piece of artwork is fated to join the former Melbourne sculpture Yellow Peril hidden in the wilderness!

Brandon Park Secondary College site could be home to four-storey residential development

Posted to Waverley Leader (9/3/2013) on 13/3/2013 at 12:27 PM
Comment on "Former Brandon Park Secondary College site could be home to four-storey residential development"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/former-brandon-park-secondary-college-site-could-be-home-to-four-storey-residential-development/story-fngnvlxu-1226592463666

Hadn't the former school created more traffic congestion than a 4-storey development?

Whether it is going to be a school, medium density dwelling development, business use or community multi-purpose building, we must understand the demographics of Brandon Park better. It is nice to have schools close to where the students reside, but then are the other schools in the area fully utilised? Holmesglen and Chisholm TAFEs are accessible by buses, and there are enough schools in the region. Be mindful of economy of scale.

There are times Brandon Park Shopping Centre carparks are seemingly full, but I can always find a space. Just have a look at the commercial building next to the shopping centre; there are still floors of unoccupied office space.

If a four-storey development is permitted, I can foresee Centro will apply permit for an extension of the shopping centre to go up to four storeys as well.
Property prices around Brandon Park have gone up leaps and bounce since the region was rezoned as Wheelers Hill. Further rezoning can only be a bonanza to the existing property owners.

Land is a scarce resource. I hope that there is balance of dwelling and recreational use of the site.

Mulgrave Mum sick of smashed bus shelters fears for safety of son

Posted to Waverley Leader (29/3/2013) on 29/3/2013 at 9:55 AM
Commenting on "Mulgrave Mum sick of smashed bus shelters fears for safety of son"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/mulgrave-mum-sick-of-smashed-bus-shelters-fears-for-safety-of-son/story-fngnvlxu-1226607530986

I believe in zero-tolerance. Anyone destroys any public or private property is liable for criminal damage and must pay for the damage in monetary term, even if it takes a life time to pay or the offender is a juvenile.

As for public property such as bus shelter, aesthetic design must not take precedence over safety and robustness.

Vandalism and hooliganism spread much faster than good behaviour. These must be nibbed at the butt promptly and the consequence broadcasted even if it is viewed as propaganda.

Is the Council indifferent to the smashing of 241 panes of glass? Obviously they are because the ratepayers have not heard of the other incidents. Every pane of glass smashed hits the ratepayers' hip pocket as repair costs and increase in insurance premium.

People of today are getting more and more indifferent and apprehensive towards others. Probably this is caused by information overload via the various media, and they are numbed by the daily bad news on social misbehaviour of private and public figures. There is no excuse for NOT caring if we want a live in a City that we can feel safe to roam about at anytime of the day. I don't want to live in Fort Knox.

Journey to raise poverty awareness

Posted to Waverley Leader (22/12/2012) on 19/3/2013 at 6:01 PM
Commenting on "Journey to raise poverty awareness"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/generic-journey-to-raise-poverty-awareness/

If the concerts of 2006, 2007 and 2010 Make Poverty History were successful, why is there a need for another one in 2013? Poverty is not history, and never will be, and such bold claim is not dissimilar to the one made by Bob Hawke on June 23, 1987 at an election campaign launch. He boldly said that "by 1990 no Australian child will be living in poverty".

People living below poverty line are not just a number. It represents a hidden scenario; the immeasurable pain and suffering of the people and their loved ones. Many do-gooders pledge or donate to campaigns to help the financial needy, but only to find their hard-earn money lined the pockets of the unscrupulous organisers, or gone to the administration costs.

Campaigns to raise awareness and funds by getting the public to go on hunger for hours, or sleep-out in stadiums with minimum comfort are no more than simplistic and naïve publicity stunts, and the long term impact is no bigger than a drop in the poverty ocean.

Last part of Blackburn North orchard sells for nearly $6m, set for development

Posted to Whitehorse Leader (13/3/2013) on 13/3/2013 at 11:18 AM
Comment on "Last part of Blackburn North orchard sells for nearly $6m, set for development"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/last-part-of-blackburn-north-orchard-sells-for-nearly-6m-set-for-development/story-fngnvlxu-1226595589440

It is understandable that we can't stop development, but unnecessary clearing of land and removal of lawn from front and backyards are causing floods in certain areas, but drought in other.

It is almost laughable that many new dwellings are given good star rating for carbon neutral, but most parts of the compound of the dwellings are concreted which in fact are a contributing factor that causes other environmental problem.

Since grass and trees absorb carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen due photosynthesis, it is important that each household should be mindful when they build or landscape their garden.

I hope that building codes for domestic and commercial buildings are changed in future to ensure a balance of build-up and green vegetation areas. It may sound dictatorial but large area of artificial lawn or concreted areas should not be allowed in order to avoid degradation of water content in soil due to lack of water penetration.

The concrete jungle of high density living like the City creates wind tunnels and well paved roads behave like water carriageway. Without grass or rough surfaces, speed of water flow cannot be slowed down. Furthermore, sealed surfaces stop water being absorbed as the water flows pass, thus compounding the problem.

Mcdonald confirms work to start on Tecoma outlet in may protesters continue action

Posted to Free Press Leader (6/3/2013) on 7/3/2013 at 1:25AM
Commenting on "Mcdonald confirms work to start on Tecoma outlet in may protesters continue action"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/mcdonalds-confirms-work-to-start-on-tecoma-outlet-in-may-protesters-continue-action/comments-fngnvlxu-1226591009912

Why is it immoral to have a McDonald outlet at Tecoma? It is a legal entity, running a legal business, nothing immoral like a brothel, or a club that sucks the gamblers' pockets dry with the poker machines.

It also creates employment, not only for the young people, but also for any businesses that associate with the McDonald - tradespeople, cleaning, maintenance, some local suppliers, etc.

Unlike many local shops that look so tired and uninviting for tourists, the outlet will provide a new lease of life.

If the locals object so strongly against it, they do not have to deal with the joint after it has been built. Any business without customers will doom to close. However, I doubt many will stay away from it; definitely not the kids who want to have their birthday parties held there, with loads of fun.

Knox Council bans the sharing of home-made cakes, also bans egg cartons and toilet rolls, from kinders

Posted to Knox Leader 26/2/2013 at 26/2/2013 at 2:24 AM
Commenting on "Knox Council bans the sharing of home-made cakes, also bans egg cartons and toilet rolls, from kinders"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/knox-council-bans-the-sharing-of-home-made-cakes-also-bans-egg-cartons-and-toilet-rolls/comments-fngnvlxu-1226585158793

It is a matter of "damned if they do, damned if they don't".

I am supportive of Knox City Council's move. The basic hygiene standard of many people, adults and children alike, have dropped very much these days. Parents allow small children to crawl in public areas and later, they rub their facial parts or put food in their mouths using the dirty hands.

Many parents and children do not wash their hands after going to toilets. It is likely that the contaminated hands will introduce disease causing germs to the food they handle, or transfer to receptacles which are used to put food in mouths.

It is easy to point fingers at other people when things go wrong. Some victims or their families have been awarded by the courts hundreds of thousand or even millions of dollars as compensation. This induces fear to those who look after the kids, and leads to substantial increase in insurance premium of these establishments.

One needs to keep in mind that the crux of the matter is not about industrial-standard kitchen, but industrial-standard food handling by everyone. Will "fundraising cake stalls and sausage sizzles" be banned? No, if those operators meet the required Food Safety standard.

Monash Councillors get pay rise

Posted to Waverley Leader (26/12/12) on 29/12/2012 at 2:01 AM
Commenting on "Monash Councillors get pay rise"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-councillors-get-pay-rise/

Once upon a time, councillors were volunteers who had proven track records doing community work. I rest my case.

Wheelers Hill 'safe' suburb

Posted to Waverley Leader (26/12/12) on 27/12/2012 at 5:47 PM
Commenting on "Wheelers Hill 'safe' suburb"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/wheelers-hill-a-safe-suburb/

It is important to understand the meaning of median price; it is NOT the average price of all the sold properties, which is calculated by adding the prices of all the sold properties and divided by the number of properties sold.

The median price is the "middle price", which requires little or no calculation. If you line up all the values of sold properties from the smallest to the largest, the middle number gives the median price. However, if the list of numbers is even, then there is not one exactly in the middle; you will have to take the two numbers closest to the middle, add the values together and then divide by 2.

The property values below the median price can be very much less, and the values above the median price can be sky-rocketed high. In short, you may overpay a property below the median price, or underestimate your property worth if it is above the median price.

Investing large sum of your hard-earn money requires doing a substantial amount of homework including attending auctions and keeping track of real estate activities in the targeted area. Wheelers Hill is no exception and so do take note and take care.

Household power bills to rise

Posted to Waverley Leader (28/11/12) on 3/12/2012 at 3:35 PM
Commenting on "Household power bills to rise"
http://frankston-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/household-power-bills-to-rise/

For every $100 shown in the electricity bill, $9 is the carbon tax, or 10% of the actual usage. We must not forget than use of electricity incurs 10% GST too.

Since I am not on pension, and do not have any pay cheque, any tax cut will not benefit me. It seems that all the utility companies are taking a round robin approach in price increases, at a rate higher than the CPI.

Chisholm MP Anna Burke is new Speaker

Posted to Waverley Leader (10/10/2012) on 10/10/2012 at 12:52 PM
Commenting on "Chisholm MP Anna Burke is new Speaker"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/chisholm-mp-becomes-new-speaker/

It has nothing to do with whether Anna Burke MP is a female or a Labor Party member; I am indeed very excited to see her occupying the seat as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. I have watched her performance on television parliamentary broadcast, and she has been doing a very good job. She has the firmness of Peter Slipper (politically speaking) and the gentile side of Harry Jenkins ("quietly" speaking).

PS I am not a member of any political party.

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://waverley-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.