canineclub

Here comes the mayor, here co……..
 
Some of you old timers might recognise the above  lines from that wonderful show of eons ago - ‘Laugh In’. It is in this ‘laugh in’ context that the following comments on Steven Tang’s inaugural speech as the new mayor of Glen Eira Clowncil needs to be seen. The full text is available at: http://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Files/Mayor_Tang_speech.pdf
 
 Firstly the community is told in no uncertain terms that Tang is committed to “represent the community, but also to represent council’s agenda to the community.” Does this mean that Council has a different ‘agenda’ to that of the community? If not,  then how does Tang explain the following from page 2 –
 
“however, I know that this administration will always carry out council’s agenda as equally enthusiastically and diligently regardless of the decision made. I understand that our senior staff are highly sought after in both the public and private sector, and it is imperative that we
work together to deliver the community’s agenda in a harmonious and productive environment”
 
Again, we have a ‘council agenda’ and a ‘community agenda’! If I was a psychoanalyst I would say that there are some wonderful Freudian slips in the above two quotes! But I really had a chuckle when we’re told that –
 
“I value the contribution that each and every one of my councillor colleagues brings to their role and the often robust debates we have inform many of my decisions. In the chamber you will often see disagreement. Disagreement should not be mistaken for dysfunction. I believe we are a council that has exhibited due diligence, prudent financial management and good governance.”
 
‘Robust debates’, disagreement??? Am I living on another planet or do these words have alternate meanings? One need only to peruse the minutes of the past year, or to have sat through council meetings, to see how bereft of real debate this council is. As to ‘disagreements’, then perhaps Cr. Tang might explain why so many motions, resolutions, amendments were voted in unanimously? Where, apart from the occasional whimper were there any real voices of dissent? The only genuinel ‘fire in the belly’ of this past year was directed at the community (ie Lipshutz statement about Friends of Caulfield Park, and other statements about councillors political affiliations leading up to their election.) Is this called ‘robust debate’ – or perhaps these ‘debates’  have already taken place behind closed doors and decisions already made? Is this what you mean councilor Tang?
 
As to your comments that you will ‘enforce’ a code of conduct, then where were you on two previous occasions in the past year when complaints were made about councilor conduct in chambers and identical proforma responses were trotted out – that the code of conduct was simply that – a code and nothing more? Did you speak out then Mr Tang? Why will the situation change now simply because you are mayor?
 
Finally there is this promise – “I will work towards the acquisition of open space in line with our financial strategy in order to improve equity and access to open space in Glen Eira.” Does this include equity for dog walkers? Equity for the aged, non-sporting, and others who simply want trees, walkways (not concrete jungles) and the smell of roses? Does this sector of the community which constitutes the majority, come into the ‘financial strategy’ of your vision Cr. Tang? Or will you simply fall into line with the thinking that dog walkers, aged pedestrians, the flabby and non-sporting, and others, do not add dollars to council coffers in the same way that sporting clubs and expensive ‘recreation/function halls’ do? In other words, will you support a policy which views open space not as an essential public service, but as a revenue raising opportunity?
 
The final paragraph is the killer however – “We have a program to deliver significant infrastructure renewal in a timely manner, it is a good program and I will spend this mayoral term delivering the community’s program for our future.” Again we have the terminology of ‘community program’ – but the community has not even had a say in this program’s development! The acid test will of course be WHAT YOU CHANGE AS A RESULT OF THE MEAGRE COMMUNITY INPUT YOU ALLOW!!! So Cr. Tang – the 64 million dollar question is – Are you really prepared to listen to the community and then to ACT upon their suggestions, recommendations, advice? Only then can you truly call yourself a ‘community representative’. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. It’s now time to sit down at the table and to see if you really have an appetite for leadership in a new and democratic direction. I sincerely hope that you do!