THE votes are in, and Frankston Council is undergoing a major change. Just one incumbent Frankston councillor was re-elected for the 2020-2024 term. Another eight candidates, a mixture of former councillors and new faces, will be sworn in imminently. The VEC declared the results of the Frankston Council election on 4 November. Cr Kris Bolam was the last man standing from the previous council term. Joining him as North-West Ward representatives are first-time councillors Steven Hughes and Sue Baker. Council veteran Glenn Aitken and former mayor Michael O’Reilly both ran to be re-elected in North-West Ward, but were defeated. Both…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
NEW and returned candidates for Victorian councils have been warned that the state’s peak anti-corruption body is watching them closely. Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission deputy commissioner David Wolf said last week that the watchdog is committed to preventing the misuse of public office. “IBAC works closely with the Local Government Inspectorate and the Victorian Electoral Commission to take complaints and investigate any allegations of misconduct or corruption in council elections. We also work closely with the Victorian Ombudsman on other council related matters,” he said. “Despite our different areas of responsibility, the integrity agencies share intelligence to make sure that…
CRICKETERS have been given the all clear to return to the crease for the 2020/2021 season. COVID-19 brought an end to local cricket earlier this year. The onset of the pandemic saw the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association call off the season the week before the scheduled Grand Finals. Last week the MPCA board voted to proceed with next season, with the first ball set to be bowled on 14 November. This season will only feature one day matches. The first seven rounds will be played with a red ball, and the rest will be played with a white ball. Fixtures…
A FORMER Frankston Council employee who scammed ratepayers out of nearly half a million dollars has been sent to prison. Andrew Williamson, a former manager at Frankston Council, was sentenced in the County Court on 22 October. He was handed a 12 month prison sentence Mr Williamson was sentenced on three charges. He was found guilty of obtaining property by deception to the amount of $460,872, attempting to obtain property by deception to the amount of $65,530, and misconduct in public office. The former community development manager also received community correction orders of 30 months, 12 months, and 15 months…
RATS have been seen at Frankston Hospital’s COVID-19 testing clinic, the Health Workers Union alleges. Health Workers Union secretary Diana Asmar said that “staff working in the COVID-19 testing facilities at Frankston Hospital have made formal complaints after giant rodents have been seen inside erected tents, near PPE equipment, and staff meal areas.” “The Health Workers Union is aware of a rodent infestation inside the Covid staff tents, specifically erected for staff working across five hospital wards during the pandemic,” Ms Asmar said. “Some of our members are scared to attend that area. You cannot be worried about rats scurrying…