Melissa Goffin | Other
Melissa Goffin
Reviews
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24.01.2022 This morning (and for much of the day, assumedly), 4 of the new crew at Council are out walking around our community to raise funds for Beyond Blue. Everyone I know is touched in some way by mental illness. I’m sure you could say the same. Show your support to Cr Despi O'Connor - Briars Ward MPSC Cr Sarah Race - Mornington Peninsula Shire, Councillor Kerri McCafferty - Mornington Peninsula Shire Council & Cr Anthony Marsh - Mornington Peninsula by donating via the link below. Help them reach their target by end of day!
24.01.2022 Are you frustrated by a lack of ethics in our political offices? Uninspired by politicians who don't seem to really embody the principles of decency and good governance? Me too. But our local Council is providing little moments of inspiration these days and some of our new Councillors are allowing us to imagine a world in which our politicians actually lead with integrity, empathy and deep consideration. ... Cr Anthony Marsh - Mornington Peninsula spoke to his revocation motion this evening. He sought to revoke the governance rules, moved and voted on en bloc. Recently resigned Cr. Fraser put forward 25 amendments to governance rules (many in direct contrast to ‘model rules’ and advice given by a local government consultant brought in to advise the Council on these rules). He provided those to Councillors just hours before voting. They were passed in a confusing and complicated session and Councillor Marsh put forward a revocation motion to his colleagues later that night. His reasons, which he outlined this evening again were as such: ‘I’m not seeking to necessarily change the outcome of this vote but whatever the outcome, we should follow a process where it’s clear to the public that is watching that matters of governance have been debated in depth and voted on in their merit.’ Cr Sarah Race - Mornington Peninsula Shire seconded the motion and gave an impassioned, intelligent and moral speech about why she was. If you want to get the warm and fuzzies and see good governance in action, check it out here. The motion was passed through a majority vote. Thank you to Councillor Marsh for another bold move toward good governance and to Councillors Race and McCafferty for their comments in support. Two Councillors voted against bringing the rules back to further consideration: Councillor Holland and Councillor Celi. Noteworthy: Cr. Holland described his distaste for the concept of ‘best practice’, thus Cr Race’s mention.
23.01.2022 Councillor Gill, representing the Red Hill Ward has become known for grandstanding at our Council meetings - he makes proclamations of principle and claims to be an expert of process and getting things done for his community - but time and again he fails to deliver. At last week's special budget meeting Councillors voted on the first draft budget and on items to move to community consultation. Councillor Gill put forward a collection of amendments, wrapped up in a motion and... as has become his M.O., failed to bring his colleagues along with him. The motion lacked clarity (none seemed to understand what he was proposing), lacked oversight from Shire officers into impact and effect (Shire CEO claimed, 'we don't know' when asked of financial implications to projects) and lacked any support from his colleagues - most of which asked questions of Councillor Gill as to the originations of the motion, its purpose and to what extent it included the motions put forward by other Councillors reflective of their conversations and aspirations. After rounds of questions, no one seconded the motion and it failed to move to debate. Councillor Gill's inability to work with those around him and to fully interrogate the impacts and effects of the things he wants to achieve using the tools at his disposal, mean his motions often do not have the support of his colleagues and do not work for the community he represents (their intended purpose). Councillor Gill needs only to see value in the people around him, in respecting their views and OUR resources to do his job better. Where there's a will, there's a way. Can we hope? Here is Councillor Gill presenting his motions to last week's special meeting and the ensuing discussions.
19.01.2022 Watching the budget process this evening - fascinating stuff but this post from Chris Brayne MP captured my attention. Amazing news for the Peninsula! Amazing win for the voice of concerned citizens - for our local wetlands and biosphere - for the planet. This decision is one that prioritises climate concerns over profit without care for its impacts. Thank you to everyone in Save Westernport No AGL gas and their supporters who lobbied, created, donated, volunteered and worked tirelessly for this outcome. We are in your debt.
12.01.2022 I love tuning in to Council meetings and seeing what wonderful message our Councillor Race is sharing via her Ts! Last week’s was a feminist message and again, I couldn’t be more proud to see our local leaders be vocal in their support for a more equal and inclusive community. Go Cr Sarah Race - Mornington Peninsula Shire! #weneedyou #dontletthetoolsgetyoudown
11.01.2022 This should be cool. So many women doing inspiring work all around us. Looking forward to hearing their stories.
08.01.2022 COUNCILLOR RESIGNED! Councillor Hugh Fraser of Nepean Ward has announced his resignation from his role. Just 4 months after a successful election win to represent his community on the Mornington Peninsula Shire. As one of Council's most vocal aggressors, Mr. Fraser's departure raises more questions than it does answers. His claims (detailed in a letter below) that Council is a "toxic and an unhealthy working environment", while likely true, seem an unusual concern for someo...ne well versed in that space and where arguably its toxicity has been increasingly so in year's previous. And surely, his passion for working for his community could drive his ability to weather the complex storms so soon into his newest term. Due to the proximity to the previous election, his 4300 votes will be distributed to the existing field and we will learn of Nepean's newest Councillor soon. Next in line was Susan Bissinger - Nepean Voters Action Group. Her bio from the Committee for Mornington Peninsula is in comments. Stay tuned... Councillor Fraser's resignation letter to the public: Dear Nepean Ward friends: I have decided to resign as councillor. This is not a decision taken lightly as I have enjoyed representing our Nepean Ward residents and ratepayers over the past eight years and re-elected with the highest number of first preference Nepean Ward votes cast in October last year. However, with the targeting of individual councillors for their legitimate use of our representative and democratic processes, processes now sought to be controlled, council is toxic and an unhealthy working environment. It is, for example, dysfunctional for council to be advised, and to act on, management advice that it may dispense with the mandatory statutory and council policy requirements for community consultation. I have unreconcilable points of difference with the CEO over the delayed (or so-called rephased) roll out of council budgeted capital and other works in the shire and his proposed amendments to council’s meeting procedure rules. I have very much enjoyed working with you and the Nepean Ward community coalition groups since 2012. Together, and with my former co-councillors Tim Rodgers and Bryan Payne, we have all effectively worked with management and the community to secure a record investment by the shire and state in capital and other works in our Nepean Ward and the southern peninsula. Thank you all for your support. With my best wishes, Hugh Fraser"
