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!

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.

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.

Should cars been banned from Swanston St?

Posted to Melbourne Weekly (28/4/2011) on 30/4/2011 at 1:03 AM
Commenting on “Should cars been banned from Swanston St?”
http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/outrage-over-swanston-car-ban/

Robert Doyle is full of hot air, promises and a member of NATO - No Action Talk Only.

God only knows why he wants to close off Swanston Street from cars, taxis and delivery vehicles. Swanston Street is NOT an alternate road but the main thoroughfare that joins the two end boundaries of the City. Only very idiotic person can strategise in this most ridiculous way. Congestion, if managed properly, leads to vibrancy of a City. Stopping traffic to move through Swanston Street is no different from doing likewise to Glenferrie Road in Hawthorne, or Lygon Street in Carlton.

The City blackspot is not Swanston Street, but the intersection of Swanston and Flinders Streets. Pedestrianisation of Swanston Street will not make the CBD safer.

That's the price to pay for NOT casting your votes with your eyes open. That's the price to pay for voting someone who can do back-flip better than a Chinese gymnast. What's the price? $25.60 million.

Also
http://sinfongchanleader.blogspot.com/2009/11/swanston-street-shuttle-bus-ban-plan.html
http://sinfongchanleader.blogspot.com/2009/12/melbournes-15-million-party-to-bring-in.html

Greg Male tipped to be mayor

Posted to Waverley Leader (14/12/2010) on 14/12/2010 at 4:26 PM
Commenting on “Greg Male tipped to be mayor”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/greg-male-to-be-new-monash-mayor/

I hardly hear about the Councillors - they don't appear in or write to the local papers, talk to the traders, or meet the residents

What do they actually do for the City of Monash, except asking more and more for their pockets? Do they know about the City budgets and the wellbeing of their wards

Councillors do attend Council meetings as a formality, but do they contribute constructively, except rubber stamping proposals or discussions? However, when election draws close, they tell the ratepayers what fantastic jobs they have done, or why a particular one should be chosen as the next Mayor.

Local Council is the lowest of the three tier-government system in Australia. While Council structure is not the same as the State and Federal Governments, Councillors are in a way politicians in the making / waiting. Get your butts off and start working for the ratepayers!

Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat

Posted to Waverley Leader (26/1/2010) on 27/8/2010 at 2:10am
Commenting on "Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-councillor-banerji-to-contest-safe-liberal-seat/

It was a good attempt by Joy in Election 2010, but she needed to work harder! Kevin Andrews was a popular choice, and to win the seat from him, Joy should not just bank her resume for being the past role as Monash Mayor.

There are many arm-chair candidates in every election. Most voters have no idea who are running for the seats. The candidates cannot be bordered or too lazy to door knock to introduce themselves, despite their being preselected by their respective political parties months ago. Unlike Wyatt Roy, the 20 year old, youngest MP of Longman, many candidates do not make any genuine effort to change voter's voting pattern or intention, but to rely on preferences stated on the "how to vote" card.

$25m promenade plan for Swanston St

Posted to Melbourne Leader (27/1/2010) on 2/2/2010 at 12:20am
Commenting on "$25m promenade plan for Swanston St"
http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/25m-promenade-plan-for-swanston-st/

I've lost count of the number of times Swanston Street has facelifts and each time new promises to make it a better Swanston Street.

I'm not a fan of John So, but at least he was a de facto publicity machine to sell Melbourne, and probably attracted external injection of money to the City.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle does not keep his words made during the last election. Can you trust him for all his future promises, and of course include this $25 million project? Can he guarantee that there won't be cost blowout, just like projects executed by other fast-talking, bullshiting politics salesmen?

By the way, the International Education industry will experience a slump as from now on, mainly due to the change in government policies and partly the bad publicity on racism. This has a disastrous impact on the City usage by the international students, upon which the prosperity of the city depends so much on.

Crowd and congestion is a sign of busyness, and should not be viewed as a weakness. Would Robert Doyle, or yourself go to a restaurant with customers, or dead quiet like a graveyard? Unlike Bourke Street, Swanston Street is a major thoroughfare. Hands-off please!

Cashed-up Councillors

Posted to Waverley Leader (19/5/2009) on 23/5/2009 at 8:56pm
Commenting on "Cashed-up Councillors"
 http://Waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/cashed-up-councillors/

Unlike Mayor Paul Klisaris who “… goes to work and gets paid for it”, Councillors were, once upon a time, well respected, distinguished members of the community serving the it for free.

Although there are provisions in the Local Government Act for the Councillor’s allowance review after taking office for seven months, there is nothing in the Act to say that the allowance has to be increased; which means the allowance can be decreased or remained unchanged.

At this difficult time, I could not see any justification for such substantial increase of about 35%. Do keep in mind that payment to the Councillors is allowance and not annual salary. The money cannot and should not be used for other purposes except for Council-related matters. $24,000 is more than excessive for many Councillors, whose role is only on part-time basis. If the increase is performance-base, then they will have to demonstrate their productivity has increased by 35%.

If the Mayor and other Councillors are not happy with what they are getting, there are volunteers with a lot more experience can take over their places. Many voluntary organisations are chaired and managed by unpaid volunteers.