NEWS DESK
Mentone Hotel closes, future unclear 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 final time. After last week’s frenzy of activity on social media sites, Mr Martin admitted calls to “save the Edgy” had gone “quiet” this week. However, the independent candidate said he is determined to press the case for the preservation of the Mentone Hotel with whichever political party –
Liberal or Labor - wins government on 29 November. Both parties claim they recognise the heritage importance of the Mentone Hotel and support moves to have Heritage Victoria consider a heritage listing for the hotel (‘Pub loss makes regulars edgy’, The News 12/11/14). Mr Clarke wants the state government to introduce “new laws” to protect The Edgy and reckons current planning laws merely protect the venue’s facade from excessive change. “There needs to be new laws introduced to draw a line in the sand,” he said. “We are losing far too many historical buildings to people who do not even live in the area.” A petition launched by Mr Martin at www.change.org has already gathered more than 6000 signatures. “We’re waiting to see what happens since we’re in [government] caretaker mode… but we will be speaking to whoever forms government about protecting The Edgy,” he said. Neil Walker
Edgy future: Patrons and protesters against the Mentone Hotel’s closure last Wednesday evening. Picture: Gary Sissons
New mayor hopes for harmony
Raid targets drink drivers
Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au
REMOVING all drink and drugaffected drivers from our roads is the aim of Operation Raid, launched last week by Kingston police. It’s the first of four road policing operations leading in the summer holiday period. And its main weapon is a highly visible police presence. Police have visited all licenced premises in Kingston to get the message out that they are out there and offenders are likely to get caught. Warning notices have been placed in public toilets, notice boards and bar walls advising of the operation and police hope drivers get the message.
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 the transition of tip sites in the Green Wedge into public open space.” Cr Gledhill lives in Kingston with his wife and three children. He is a volunteer lifesaver and operates a retail consultancy service. He takes over the mayorship at a time when councillors continue divided on planning issues, especially with regards to Kingston’s Green Wedge. On Wednesday evening, Cr Steve Staikos described council chambers as “a horrible place” in recent months
Privileged: Cr Geoff Gledhill honoured to be Kingston mayor. Picture: Gary Sissons
since due to frequent clashes between councillors. “Sometimes we feel like gladiators rather than councillors,” Cr Staikos said. “We’re at each other’s throats a little too often.” Cr John Ronke said the past two years in council had been “very demanding”. “It’s no secret that tempers have been frayed and we’ve had more than
our fair share of disagreements,” Cr Ronke said. He said the mayor always had a difficult task “managing eight other councillors who, by definition, are here because they’re strong willed and believe they represent their communities… not to mention that some people have big egos to keep in check.” Cr Gledhill was elected to council at the 2010 council election to repre-
sent Central Ward and will be mayor for the first time. Cr Gledhill was formerly the chairman of Business First, an organisation that has previously raised funds for Liberal Party candidates in the bayside area. He will chair council meetings as part of his mayoral duties and his vote could prove decisive on contentious issues which divide councillors. The new mayor said he hoped councillors could work together in the year ahead. “I want a council where everyone can contribute,” Cr Gledhill said. “I want to engage ward councillors in ward issues and they will be welcome to come along to attend events in their wards with me.” Cr Gledhill said working to transfer aged care services from council with a minimum of disruption to care home residents was high on council’s list of priorities for the coming months. Working with industry “in the northern part of the green wedge” to “rehabilitate” land for open space is also high on the agenda, although he said this would take “years”. He also hoped council could establish new community feedback forums quickly after the village committees system was disbanded by council earlier this year.
Beach bins NEW beach bins will be installed across Kingston in November and December. Existing ‘swing-style’ 110 litre rubbish bins will be replaced with new dual 240 litre bin stations with a recycling option for litter. Birds often gain access to the existing bins and open lids can see rubbish strewn across beaches. The effectiveness of the new bins will be monitored over the next 12 months by Kingston Council. See www.kingston.vic.gov.au
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 19 November 2014
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