‘Intrusive’ CEO trip questions blasted Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au QUESTIONS about Frankston Council CEO Dennis Hovenden’s whereabouts this month have led to accusations of media intrusion into his family life. The Times first asked council’s media and communications department on 11 November about the CEO’s absence and did not receive an answer until a media release from mayor Cr Brian Cunial was issued last Thursday.. Cr Cunial previously said he was unable to confirm Mr Hovenden’s whereabouts (“CEO’s mystery trip ‘overseas’�, The Times 21/11/16), but was more detailed in his 24 November statement. The mayor revealed Mr Hovenden had attended an International City/ County Management Association event
in the US before staying overseas for a personal holiday. “The leave to attend an ICMA board meeting for three days was approved during the caretaker period as part of an approved arrangement of the previous council,� Cr Cunial stated. “Mr Hovenden then proceeded on personal annual leave as part of his leave entitlements available to all council staff.� Cr Cunial then went on to say that “the intrusion on Mr Hovenden’s family life is abhorrent and deeply regrettable�. The report in The Times did not make any mention of Mr Hovenden being accompanied overseas by any family members. The mayor said ratepayers did not pay any expenses for Mr Hovenden’s overseas trip this month.
Mr Hovenden also visited Kansas to attend an ICMA event in September. The Times has been requesting details of that trip, the names of any accompanying council staff and any cost to ratepayers, for the past six weeks. Council finally confirmed on Friday that communities general manager Gillian Kay, acting council CEO this month, also made that September trip to Kansas to attend an ICMA board meeting with Mr Hovenden on 23-24 September. The Times was advised no further information would be provided until after Mr Hovenden’s return from the US. In his statement issued last week, Cr Cunial said: “It would be highly inappropriate to comment on an individual’s personal annual leave arrangements or their whereabouts without the individual’s permission.
“Council is proud of Mr Hovenden’s representation on the ICMA board and his representation of the Southern Hemisphere. This high profile role provides extensive opportunities to be part of leading policy and implementing innovative practices by other local government authorities. “We look forward to working with him on the exciting opportunities for Frankston city going forward.� The mayor said council “gives unreserved support for the CEO� and called “speculation� about Mr Hovenden’s whereabouts an “unsavoury intent to bring disharmony to this council�. The previous four-year council term was dogged by in-fighting between councillors amid arguments and shouting matches at public council meetings. More than $35,000 worth of ratepayers’ money – excluding council officers’
time – was spent on arbitration hearings and legal fees when councillors lodged code of complaints against each other. The ICMA describes itself as “the professional and educational association for appointed local government administrators throughout the world�. Mr Hovenden is an ICMA regional vice-president and is one of three international board members, and the only Australian representative, on a board with 21 members including 18 council CEOs in the US. According to its website, the ICMA board met in Georgia on 10-13 November and is due to meet again in Las Vegas in February, Colorado next June and Texas in October next year. A “conference planners� meeting is also due to be held next month on 2-4 December in San Antonio, Texas.
Water slide to go
Family ties: Rosa Thompson with her painting of granddaughter Gemma. Picture: Gary Sissons
Hidden talents to the fore THE artistic talents of some of Frankston’s older residents are being recognised thanks to the launch of an annual U3A award to showcase and acknowledge their creative skills. Frankston U3A member Cheryl Miscamble came up with the idea for an awards ceremony after taking a creative writing class and recognising the “amazing� talents of other club members. “Some of our members have joined the club on retirement and unleashed a talent that they haven’t used for more than 50 years,� she said. “For some, it’s just been a hobby but now that they have the time, their talents are being nurtured and it is incredible to see what people can do.� The awards are given in the categories of painting, draw-
ing and writing. Ms Miscamble, who joined Frankston U3A last year, secured donations and prizes from several local businesses and club members for the launch of the awards last week. At the inaugural awards night last week, federal Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther acknowledged the significant role U3A plays in the nurturing of skills and provision of a social forum for members. U3A Frankston is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers from four classrooms at John Paul College in Frankston. There are 760 members and 70 classes in a range of subjects. Anyone who is retired or not working full-time is welcome to join. See u3af.org.au or call 9770 1042 for details.
THE much-troubled AquaSphere at the Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre will be dismantled in the wake of several incidents where swimming centre goers were injured on the slide. Two boys were injured on the AquaSphere slide in February and the ride was closed by PARC management pending investigations into the slide’s safety. One of the boys was concussed and the other suffered a fractured elbow. The AquaSphere was also previously closed for ten months after two adults suffered head injuries on the slide in August 2014. Frankston mayor Cr Brian Cunial said council is “delighted� PARC “have taken the necessary actions and precautions to ensure the safety and overall experience of families who visit and use their facilities.� “Replacement of the slide at PARC is being done at no additional cost to council, with regular testing and maintenance set to be undertaken to ensure the safety of all patrons using the new slide.� The 79-metre high AquaSphere, was billed as “a thrilling family raft ride featuring high-speed twists and drops, fully enclosed spheres and 90 degree corners� by US manufacturer Whitewater West. The slide featured raft rides for two to four people. Cr Cunial said PARC is operated by Peninsula Leisure, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Frankston Council, and any legal claims would be referred to respective insurers. “No formal legal action has been brought against either party,� he said last week.
Demolished: The Ambassador function centre was torn down in March.
Ambassador sale
THE site of the former Ambassador Hotel function centre is being advertised as being for sale again. KBL Commercial has listed the 325 Nepean Highway site, zoned Commercial 1, for sale as a “development site� with “plans and permits for 37 apartments, six 1 bedroom, 27 two-bedroom and four 3-bedroom apartments�. Mortgagee Jack Gringlas, of the Jadig Group, has been trying to sell the site since February for about $2.5 million after successive plans by prospective property developers fell through. Mr Gringlas had the function centre, long regarded as an eyesore by Frankston councillors and a magnet for drug dealers and users, demolished earlier this year. Council has extended the planning permit for the construction of a residential apartment building at the 2,232 square-metre site at the 325 Nepean Highway site until January 2018.
New generation TOP-UP hearing aids now FREE* E Eligible pensioners and veterans aare entitled to FREE hearing aaids through the government’s hearing services scheme*, or h th hey can pay extra (TOP-UP) for hearing aids with additional or h more advanced features or for a m sm maller size. As an EXCLUSIVE A SPECIAL OFFER, Hidden S Hearing is providing eligible H pensioners and veterans p
with certain TOP-UP hearing aids incorporating the latest generation technology FREE OF CHARGE until the END OF DECEMBER. The choice is yours, either a discreet deep canal aid or a miniature receiver in canal aid. In both cases the aids will be small and discreet, and programmed to \RXU VSHFLÂżF KHDULQJ OHYHOV DQG unique personal needs. www.hiddenhearing.com.au
CALL NOW to book your FREE hearing assessment and start hearing better again.
FREE CALL
1800 717 717
*Conditions and eligibility requirements apply under the Commonwealth Hearing Services Voucher System. Offer ends December 23, 2016.
BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times 28 November 2016
PAGE 3