Author: Neil Walker

THE iconic Mentone Hotel closed its doors on Sunday amid uncertainty over its future. Independent candidate for Sandringham Clarke Martin is spearheading a campaign to try to save the pub and live music venue, known locally as The Edgy, from future development into apartments. Mr Martin said the venue may reopen but said the new owner had yet to reveal their plans for the site. “There’s been no formal planning application yet,” he said. Hundreds of people attended a rally last Wednesday evening outside The Edgy as regular young Edgy Wednesdays punters queued to enter the pub for possibly the…

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KINGSTON has a new mayor. Cr Geoff Gledhill was elected unanimously by his fellow councillors at a council meeting last Wednesday evening. Cr Gledhill’s predecessor, Cr Paul Peulich, handed the mayoral robes and chains over to Cr Gledhill after completing his 12-month stint as the municipality’s civic leader. “I consider it a great privilege to serve as mayor of Kingston and I’m proud to lead such a vibrant community as we work together to help create an even better, stronger City of Kingston,” Cr Gledhill said. “I’ll be looking to make inroads on major issues including residential aged care and…

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CONFUSION about the number of extra beds to be installed at Frankston Hospital’s new building has seen hospital management become caught in the political crossfire as the major parties trade blows over health services as the 29 November state election draws closer. Labor candidate for Frankston Paul Edbrooke claimed there was “no proof” of extra beds being included in the Frankston Hospital expansion when he spoke to ABC host Jon Faine live on air earlier this month (‘Faine visit puts Frankston in the spotlight’, The Times 10/11/14). Mr Edbrooke cited meetings with Peninsula Health CEO Sue Williams when making the…

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THE state election battle for Frankston has intensified. Labor opposition leader Daniel Andrews visited Frankston train station last Friday morning to commit $50 million to transform the station precinct into a “state-of-the-art transport hub”. The opposition leader opted to make the trip to Frankston on his large campaign bus, replete with Labor Party logos and Mr Andrew’s smiling face, instead of by rail. Labor candidate for Frankston Paul Edbrooke, Carrum candidate Sonya Kilkenny and opposition transport spokeswoman Jill Hennessy joined Mr Andrews to outline the pre-election commitment to be delivered if Labor wins government on 29 November. Mr Andrews vowed…

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FRANKSTON has a new mayor. Councillors voted last Wednesday evening to elect Cr Sandra Mayer to succeed outgoing mayor Darrel Taylor but Cr Mayer’s elevation to the mayoralty was not without controversy. Councillors traditionally meet behind closed doors before a mayor is elected to thrash out any differences of opinion away from the public eye to give an outward appearance of unity to allow the new mayor to establish their authority at the start of the statutory 12-month tenure as chair of council meetings and Frankston’s civic leader. However, a facilitator was hired by Frankston Council to try to resolve…

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