TWELVE candidates are running for three seats to represent the North-West ward at Frankston Council. The North-West ward includes Seaford, Frankston, Frankston North and Karingal.
Ballot papers are being mailed out to voters by the Victorian Electoral Commission ahead of Frankston Council elections on 22 October. Voters should return completed ballot papers well before a final deadline of Friday 21 October, 6pm.
Voters who have not received a ballot pack by Wednesday 12 October should call the VEC on 8619 1615 to arrange a replacement.
Cr GLENN AITKEN
What suburb do you live in? Seaford.
What is your occupation? Horticulture is my background.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
I think the number 1 issue is to have a visionary and creative approach to the way the city is managed in every respect including finances and the increased tempo of development. You end up with a city that is alive and breathes. It’s should be a living and fulfilling place to be.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)? No, I never have been and never want to be.
KRIS BOLAM
What suburb do you live in? Frankston.
What is your occupation? Victoria Police Protective Services Officer (First Class) and Justice Of The Peace, and former mayor.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
The most important issue is good financial management. The council is $47 million dollars in debt, has a five-year budget shortfall of $43 million dollars and has acquired a taste for wasteful spending. This accounts for why services – such as Kerbside Rubbish Collection – are at risk; and why our rates are so outrageously expensive. The priorities of the Council are wrong. We need to bring fiscal sanity back to the council chamber!
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)? No. Party politics do not belong in the chamber.
Cr JAMES DOOLEY
What suburb do you live in? Central Frankston.
What is your occupation? Current Mayor of Frankston. Background in Mining and Retail.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
The most pressing issue is maintaining budgetary discipline. Good work has been done in controlling operational costs by living frugally and saving in excess of $20 million in the last three years (which has then been spent on facilities like the PARC and the Waste Transfer Station). Council’s Consolidated Financial Statement which has been audited by the Victorian Auditor General Office has forecast an operational surplus of $16 million for 2016-17 for Frankston. The discipline shown in the last few years will need to be repeated in coming years. The next step will be to improve the procedures for scoping of the Capital Works program and to implement quality procedures for the delivery of all new projects. If council gets this right, then we’ll be able to make the dollars go further.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)?
Past member of the ALP. My membership lapsed in 2015.
What has been your biggest achievement during this council term?
The achievement that I’m proudest of is the establishment of “Live Monitoring” and Upgrade of the CCTV Network. It came through establishing a good relationship with our local police and it’s already giving some good results.
What has been your biggest regret during this council term?
I don’t really have any regrets. I know some successes will take longer to achieve. But, I’ve had the best attendance of the councillors at the meetings and the briefings, so I can honestly say that I’ve worked hard in my time in council and that I’ve contributed.
BRAD HILL
What suburb do you live in? Frankston.
What is your occupation? Telecommunications Infrastructure Specialist.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
Restoring accountability – no money for footpaths, but $50k for personal expenses and $14,000 for a bench seat?
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)?
Member of the ALP; just a member – I don’t hold a position there. I get no assistance from them, nor do I get any orders or directions from them. I do promise to apply traditional Labor values – workers, pensioners, battlers, and jobs.
CLAIRE HOUSTON
What suburb do you live in? I live in Seaford.
What is your occupation? Designer.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
No. 1 issue for Frankston Council – Let’s vote in a council that behaves in a civil and respectful manner towards one another, stops overspending and cuts the $37 million debt.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)?
I have never been nor ever will be a member of a political party. I believe local council should not be run from Canberra.
STEVEN HUGHES
What suburb do you live in? Frankston.
What is your occupation? Accountant.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
Rates. The ever increasing rate rises and the benefit versus the cost. Residents don’t feel that their money is being used effectively. They want more spent on better services and less wasted on council management staff wages and other overspends. As an accountant I understand what needs to be done halt rate rises.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)?
No. I am a 100 per cent independent candidate. Making a better Frankston, not political party agendas, is what drives me.
TASMA MINIFIE
What suburb do you live in? Frankston.
What is your occupation? Database Training Manager.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
Frankston residents have expressed concern and frustration with how the council is conducting itself and making decisions. It is imperative that council is transparent, accountable to residents and makes decisions that are in the best interests of our community. This will only happen if council consults widely with residents and local community groups, holds community meetings and forums to discuss important issues like the Budget, council meetings are live streamed on the internet and there is better engagement with residents using new technology.
For council to work for the community, it must be open to public scrutiny.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)?
Yes. I have been a member of the Australian Greens Victoria since 2014, and I am standing as an endorsed Greens candidate.
LILLIAN O’CONNOR
What suburb do you live in? Seaford.
What is your occupation? Lawyer.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
I have lived in this community for most of my life. I love this community. But our rates do not represent good value for money and I’ve watched the council spend our money recklessly on inappropriate expenses, while stripping away core services such as footpaths, roads, public safety and kindergartens; not to mention Meals on Wheels and Youth Outreach Services.
Therefore, I will make sure that money is spent on necessary infrastructure and services – things that will support our community’s activities and expectations, not just for today, but into the future.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)? No.
DANIEL REDMAN
What suburb do you live in? Karingal.
What is your occupation? Self-Employed consultant & independent contractor.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
It’s not a matter of one issue as many intertwine. Our rates are some of the most excessive in the state. We need a plan not only to stop them rising but also work to reducing them, and I have a plan. Without cutting services, I believe that greater efficiency, achieved through the application of technology and improved management can deliver a rate reduction. I will also work cooperatively with our state and federal local MPs, to fight for our fair share of funding. Increasing transparency and community engagement with Council by introducing live video-stream of all public council meetings.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)?
I am not endorsed by any party. I’m standing as an independent, community-focused candidate.
WILLIAM SCHAEFER
What suburb do you live in? Frankston.
What is your occupation? Music teacher and composer: formerly restaurant manager & cook.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
Most important issues for council: Increased rate charges over recent years extending to all fees imposed by Council, next significant issues are poor service delivery including attempt to withdraw curb-side hard waste collection and failure to respond to resident notifications of damage to infrastructure.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)?
Fully independent candidate with no party endorsement.
CR REBEKAH SPELMAN
What suburb do you live in? Frankston.
What is your occupation? Copy writer/copy editor.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
Number 1 issue for Frankston council to tackle: To me, the top issue that plagues Frankston as a whole is the methadone clinics that attract visitors from outside Frankston and encourage them to hang out on our streets before and after their dose, and the undeserved bad name that this gives us.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)?
No – never have been.
What has been your biggest achievement during this council term?
My biggest achievement: Fixing the smaller issues throughout the community that make a big difference to individual lives.
What has been your biggest regret during this council term?
That this council will be remembered more for the dramas toward the end of the term and remembered less for the four years of great outcomes we achieved for the entire Frankston community.
Russell James Morse has no email address so questions were unable to be sent to the candidate.
