BALLOT packs are being mailed out this week for the council election. There were 35 nominations for Frankston Council this year. Voting will close at 6pm on 23 October, with results declared on 13 November.
David Asker
What is your occupation? Currently working for Harvey Norman. Worth noting that I’ve served 2 terms on Council previously.
Are you a member of a political party? If so, which one? None. I used to be a member of the ALP. However I discontinued my association two or three years ago.
What suburb do you live in? Been very happy living in Karingal, probably about 38 years. Still the same house.
What is the biggest issue facing council? There’s probably several issues not to mention of course the one we are all facing at the moment, how do we rebuild after COVID 19 how do we inject life back into the Frankston CBD, and what we can do as a Council to support some of our residents who are doing it tough, especially with the rollback of Jobkeeper and Jobseeker.
What do you hope to achieve if you are elected to council? What changes would you make? Rebuilding the Frankston CBD into an environment that attracts and supports businesses, with a heavy emphasis on streetscape, shopping and Tourism. Including addressing the Timed parking issues around the Frankston CBD, to the benefit of all shoppers and retailers. The renovations at Karingal shopping centre will be great for local retailers, however I do see a detrimental affect to the Frankston CBD.
Henryk Kay
What is your occupation? I am an Administration Officer but currently unemployed
Are you a member of a political party? If so, which one? I have values aligned with the ALP
What suburb do you live in? Frankston North
What is the biggest issue facing council? I strongly believe that the issues in this election are the following. Employment for local residents, crime prevention, more help for local businesses.
Jay Johnstone
What is your occupation? I work in Langwarrin South as a High school teacher.
Are you a member of a political party? If so, which one? I disclose that I have voted Labor in the lower house and Democrat in the upper house in nearly, every election. Though in a couple of elections I have cast my ballot for the greens in the upper house.
What suburb do you live in? I live in beautiful Langwarrin where my family and I have purchased our home and are raising our family.
What is the biggest issue facing council? Over the next 4 years Frankston will be faced with the pain of recovery. We will be making meaningful decisions about how this must be done. How do we get people back to work and support families and keep food on the table. The decisions of council will be important. We must be willing to work with every level of government and industry and business to have plans in place for the quickest, and best way back to prosperity.
What do you hope to achieve if you are elected to council? What changes would you make? To do this we must have a council that can be trusted to listen. Listen to the experts and the people. The council must be deeply connected to the people of Frankston to best understand the needs. We must be willing to listen to the experts to make sure that the plans reflect the best practice and resources get to where they are needed.
Suzette Tayler
What is your occupation? I am a Senior Property Manager/ Business Development, looking after tenants and landlords which has been very demanding during Covid-19 because of loss of income for many.
Are you a member of a political party? If so, which one? No.
What suburb do you live in? Langwarrin.
What is the biggest issue facing council? Biggest issue is getting businesses back on their feet after the pandemic and creating more jobs for locals through council projects, bringing investors to Frankston and work with the State Government to support Frankston initiates. I also believe we need to seriously look at homelessness, mental illness and affordable housing in partnership with the State Government.
What do you hope to achieve if you are elected to council? What changes would you make? Firstly I like to work with council and State Government to initiate programs to enable businesses to get back on their feet and look seriously at how we can upgrade shop fronts to entice investors to Frankston. I would also investigate our homeless situation, keeping in mind no Councillor can make change alone it is the majority of council that decides the outcome. We need experienced people with business acumen to bring about change and make our city vibrant again. I would also have regular North East Ward meetings with the community to address issues in Langwarrin, Carrum Downs, Skye and Sandhurst.
Karan Kent
What is your occupation? Self-employed business owner operator in the Health and wellness industry with 25+ years professional experience as a Community Development Practitioner working for Health, Not for Profits and across 3 LGAs including Frankston City and Mornington Peninsula Shire
Are you a member of a political party? If so, which one? I am not a member of a political party.
What suburb do you live in? Carrum Downs
What is the biggest issue facing council? The Councils biggest issue at this point in time and in the short – medium term will be fiscal management with a challenged budget recovering from the impacts of COVID 19, at the same time continuing to maintain business and community supports sustaining continued service delivery and organisational operations.
What do you hope to achieve if you are elected to council? What changes would you make? The opportunity to role model and celebrate culture difference whilst demonstrating leadership with integrity, in collaboration with colleagues and in partnership with the North East Ward residents and broader community. The presence of a newly elected council will create change in itself, my presence will show a capacity to work respectfully in solidarity to demonstrate good governance in the Chamber, along with Enhanced communication with and between council and the community.
Cr Colin Hampton
What is your occupation? For 25 years I ran Norman James Printing in Frankston and then Seaford with my wife Nancye. We have since retired and I now spend most of my time working as a councillor for my community.
Are you a member of a political party? If so, which one? I am a life member of the Labor Party and in the 20 odd years as a councillor have managed and financed my election campaigns without any outside help. I have worked with all councillors no matter their political persuasion, to get the best results for our community.
What suburb do you live in? I have lived in Frankston for the last 50 years.
What was your proudest achievement of this council term? The huge upgrade of facilities at Wedge Road sporting ground Carrum Downs and also the upgrade of facilities at Lloyd Park Langwarrin. All of these upgrades have made them all female friendly.
What was your biggest regret of this council term? Having the Monitor brought into Council by the State Govt. because of the actions of a few councillors.
What do you hope to achieve in your next council term? To try the best I can, to get our community back to where it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Candidates Parker Kapp, Geoffrey Justin Harbeck, Richard Rendell, Prasad Philip, Nathan Conroy, Shane Osborne, and Rupinder Singh did not respond to emailed questions by deadline.
*Editor’s note: Some answers have been abbreviated.