Frankston An independent voice for the community Your weekly community newspaper covering Frankston, Frankston South, Karingal, Langwarrin and Seaford For all advertising and editorial needs, call 03
FREE
Tuesday 23 February 2021
5974 9000 or email: team@baysidenews.com.au www.baysidenews.com.au
Striking a pose Dancer Olivia Gard replicates the pose she struck for a mural which has now been installed at the Frankston Arts Centre. See story page 9. Picture: Steve Brown
Social media use lands councillor in hot water Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au A FRANKSTON councillor’s social media post has been referred to a councillor conduct panel for review, the mayor says. While debating a draft communications policy at council’s most recent meeting, the mayor Kris Bolam told councillors not to reference a post made by Cr Steven Hughes as it was “subject to a councillor conduct panel
hearing”. Frankston Council declined to elaborate further on the mayor’s comments at the meeting. Cr Hughes’ social media activity has been causing a stir amongst councillors. His posts about council decisions and spending have been shared hundreds of times over the last month. The issue came to a boiling point after Cr Hughes made a Facebook post comparing proposed changes to council’s communications policy and code of conduct to life in the Soviet Union (“Mixed reactions to new coun-
cil social media policy”, The Times, 16/2/21). Cr Hughes continued to draw comparisons while debating the proposed policy changes. He said that “by not allowing dissent there will only be two places where everyone is always in 100 per cent agreement, Frankston Council and North Korea”. Cr Hughes signalled his intention to keep up his social media posts at the end of council’s public meeting. After debate on a proposed rate cut was cut short before Cr Hughes had spoken about it, he said that it was “going to
make a great Facebook post.” He has since continued to post on Facebook, but has removed the title of councillor from his page name. Cr Hughes told The Times “every financial post I have posted on social media about council has come under heavy scrutiny, even though they have all been true. If council was serious about its financial legitimacy it would acknowledge this and work harder to stop the waste. Instead they have taken the path to suppress criticism and silence councillors who shine a light into the darkness around their finan-
cial decision-making.” “I was elected by the ratepayers of Frankston to make sure Frankston Council spends their rates wisely. Council has made many bad decisions, the worst of which, spending $2.6 million for St Kilda at Linen House and paying PARC directors an obscene amount. It is my job to let Frankston residents know the truth about how their money is being wasted.” Cr Hughes’ push to stop the communications policy changes proved unsuccessful. Continued on page 3
Scania Recliner
Bella Recliner
was $2055
was $2585
$1699
$1999 Leone Recliner was $2585
$2199
Alfredo Recliner was $2165
$1799 peninsula home 1128 - 1132 nepean hwy mornington 03 5973 4899 luducoliving.com.au
Angelo Recliner was $2103
$1399