FRANKSTON councillor Steve Toms’ four month suspension has concluded. A councillor conduct panel upheld a bullying complaint against Cr Toms in September last year, and handed him a four month suspension. Cr Toms was found guilty of “serious misconduct” for allegedly bullying another Frankston councillor. The panel was asked to investigate an allegation that “Cr Toms had repeatedly behaved in an intimidating, offensive and disrespectful manner toward a fellow councillor (…) which adversely affected [their] health, and that these actions constituted the bullying of another councillor (“Councillor suspended after bullying allegation”, The Times, 9/9/19).” Cr Toms’ suspension finished on 5…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
FRANKSTON mayor Sandra Mayer has told residents concerned about local fire hazards that council’s bushfire prevention measures are “tried and tested”. Council put out a press release last week in response to a “large volume of queries from residents, rightfully concerned about potential fire hazards in local reserves and other council-owned areas.” Cr Mayer said that “I applaud residents for taking the time to get in touch, and for the concern they are showing for their community’s safety during this difficult time. However, I want to reassure everyone, council has a tried and tested bushfire management and prevention system in…
KINGSTON’S criminal incident rate was at its highest in a decade in 2019 according to the Crime Statistics Agency. The latest CSA figures released last month revealed that the total number of criminal incidents in the Kingston municipality rose sharply in the year ending September 2019. The total number of recorded incidents for the year was 8,894, up 8.2 per cent from last year. The criminal incident rate per 100,000 people in Kingston for 2019 was 5381. The figure is still below the state average, but is Kingston’s worst crime rate for the decade. Crimes were committed in Cheltenham more…
PENINSULA PINES have fallen to a first day defeat in their two day clash against Somerville. Pines were sent in to bat first and struggled from the outset. None of their top order batsmen managed to reach double digit figures, and they were rolled for a disappointing total of 94. Star bowler Jayde Herrick was in fine from once again for Somerville, posting figures of 5/28 in their first innings. Somerville made quick work of their target, and finished the day at 3/103 from 35 overs. At Ballam Park, Red Hill are on the verge of securing victory in their…
BUSES are set to replace trains on the Frankston line over a two month period in mid-2020. Public transport users will be made to ride buses between Moorabbin and Mordialloc train stations from mid-May to mid-July while rail trenches are excavated. Construction work began in late 2019 to dig rail trenches in Cheltenham and Mentone. Those works have continued into the new year, forcing the closure of the Frankston line between Frankston and Moorabbin between 2 February and 16 February. Mentone and Cheltenham Stations will once again be closed in March and April respectively. Trains will run express through the…