My Internet Journal is designed to provide details on my work as a councillor for the City of Maroondah and also my involvement within a variety of community organisations.
You can also subscribe to updates to stay informed in regard to community and council activities and how I am making a difference for the Maroondah community.
The following article was written by a journalism student who asked Cr. Jo-anne Taylor and myself about the challenges experienced within local government:
While some Maroondah citizens would not know who these individuals are, it’s highly likely that the residents, ratepayers, business owners and community groups of Maroondah have witnessed the outcome of their hard work on a daily basis.
These photos are of Alex Makin and Joanne Taylor, two local councillors who are dong it tough for Maroondah. They spend up to 30 hours a week on council duties yet face daily obstacles from their colleagues and receive little recognition from the community.
Representing residents and ratepayers is an overwhelming commitment which requires intense passion and impacts on the lives of councillors, including their family and friends. As Cr Alex Makin stated, “council, has made it difficult to balance a career outside of council, as well as other commitments.”
Privacy or the lack of it, is another issue faced by councillors “apparently I don’t have a private life anymore. My family, including my children know what has been put in the paper about me,” Cr Joanne Taylor added.
With council elections looming over Maroondah, it appears that political rivalry is rife. “The gang of four have made it difficult to encourage public discussion and debate, but it has been possible to work around such difficulties, through local community groups and supportive council officers,” Cr Alex Makin stated.
Despite these obstacles Cr Alex Makin and Cr Joanne Taylor are running for the upcoming council election because both believe there is still work to be done. “I am standing so I can continue to make a difference to Maroondah, particularly in regards to improved accessibility, sustainability and the accountability of council,” Cr Alex Makin commented.
“I particularly want to see council meetings conducted in the view of the public, so that debates occur in the open. This would prevent the current political divisions since the public can see the discussion,” Cr Alex Makin added.
“I have survived two terms - despite some councillor’s best effort to have me removed, this has only made me more determined, and I now know enough to make change happen,” Cr Joanne Taylor said.
Both councillors are excited with the prospect of the new council structure which will introduce a new generation of local councillors to Maroondah. “Prior to this structure being in place Maroondah councillors were being elected unopposed, which weakened local democracy,” Cr Alex Makin stated.
The last three years have laid numerous foundations for Cr Alex Makin and Cr Joanne Taylor. Both are thrilled with their achievements to date, which have included the prevention of the sale of parkland and the removal of zone three, through advocacy that involved local council.
With it being compulsory for residents and ratepayers over the age of 18 to vote from Wednesday 12 November to Sunday 29 November, it is important that Maroondah is represented by councillors that are committed to making a difference.
For further information on Cr Alex Makin and Cr Joanne Taylor please visit their websites at www.alexmakin.com.au and www.jo-annetaylor.com.au.
The Maroondah Journal has reported on the launch of www.genuinecandidates.com, a website that has been established to assist the community with identifying the genuine candidates in the upcoming Maroondah City Council elections.
Cr Makin said the website was a source of information before an election. “It began as members of the community were concerned with candidates’ links to developers and dummy candidates. It’s there to educate the public on an ongoing trend that subverts democracy.”
The website identifies candidates that have been actively involved within local community groups and are not aligned with developers or the practice of using dummy candidates. A dummy candidate is where someone runs for council simply to direct preferences to another candidate.
A number of candidates were not included on the website since they were unable to explain why they were receiving preferences without reciprocating. As an example there are candidates who receive second preferences from a number of candidates without returning similar preferences. This is a clear sign of a candidate that uses dummy candidates.
Perhaps unsurprisingly some non-genuine candidates have protested over the establishment of the website and are trying to close it down. Fortunately the members of the community who established the site will not give to to these non-genuine candidates.
I strongly urge the community to examine the preferences of each candidate to avoid those that are using dummy candidates and subverting local democracy. For further information please visit www.genuinecandidates.com.
Alex Makin, a candidate for the Mullum Ward has slammed the council candidates who failed to attend a community forum at North Ringwood Community House.
“It is bitterly disappointing that a council candidate would choose to ignore a designated candidates’ forum”, Alex Makin, candidate for the Mullum Ward said. “This lack of attendance clearly demonstrates that some candidates lack the genuineness and sincerity required for council.”
The candidates’ forum was held at North Ringwood Community House on Wednesday the 5th of November. Several topics were discussed, including the relocation of North Ringwood Community House, Ringwood Station and climate change.
The forum was attended by Alex Makin, Jo-anne Taylor, Peter Feeney and Nora Lamont. Ann Fraser, Mary-anne Lowe, Sam Nahoum, Samantha Marks, Sherlye Griffiths and Tony Dib all failed to attend.
“I applaud the candidates that took the time to attend the forum as this demonstrates that they are sincere about standing for council. I urge the community to support a candidate that speaks to their local community and not someone that hides away and is a no show for public events”, Cr. Makin concluded.
About Alex Makin:
Alex Makin was elected in November 2005 as the Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill ward in the City of Maroondah. Alex, currently the youngest councillor elected within the history of the City of Maroondah, is involved with the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau, Croydon Conservation Society, the Ringwood Spiders Football Club, North Ringwood Community House, Eastern Volunteers and the Disabilities Action Group. Alex has a regularly updated website and blog at www.alexmakin.com.au.
ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: ALEX MAKIN ON 0409 136 213
- ENDS -
Leave a comment
Media Release: United call to support genuine candidates , Media Release: Councils need to enter the 21st century , Mullum Candidates’ Forum , Maroondah Journal: Forum to gauge candidates’ support , Media Release: New Community House a Priority
Category: Community Engagement, Maroondah, Media Releases
North Ringwood Community House is holding a candidates’ forum tomorrow evening to provide an opportunity for the public to question candidates’ for the Mullum Ward in the upcoming council elections.
The Maroondah Journal has assisted in publicising the upcoming candidates’ forum, where it is expected that questions will be asked about support for the relocation of North Ringwood Community House. While Jo-anne Taylor, Peter Feeney, Nora Lamont, Adam Pepper and myself have all confirmed our attendance there has been no confirmation received from the other six candidates.
It is unfortunate that one candidate in particular has chosen to claim that the forum will be biased because I am on the committee of management of North Ringwood Community House. I have been a strong supporter of the community house during my time on council and I have been entirely open about my involvement on the committee of management, since I believe that councillors should take an interest in their community.
As I mentioned to the house on a number of occasions, it is important that they engage as many candidates as possible to seek support for the relocation and a new community centre for Ringwood North. The candidates’ forum is being organised entirely by the management of the community house and I have had no input into the proceedings.
It is unfortunate that we have some candidates that do not understand that being a local councillor involves the need to take an interest in the local community.
Rotary is an international organisation with over 1.2 million members world-wide. While each local Rotary club operates on an autonomous basis there is tremendous potential for different clubs to work in partnership to advance the principles of Rotary.
Tonight’s meeting included a presentation by Rotarian and Boroondara Councillor Phillip Healy who discussed Boroondara Cares, a community partnership between the Rotary Clubs in Boroondara and Moyne Shire in regional Victoria.
Boroondara Cares was formed to provide ongoing support for the residents of Moira Shire as they seek to deal with the severe economic and social challenges caused by a seven year long drought. While State and Federal Governments in some instances provide emergency relief to drought or flood affected regions, this funding is not ongoing and tends to focus on sudden emergencies, rather than areas that are experiencing ongoing adverse conditions.
Boroondara Cares organises a number of events between the Rotary Clubs of Boroondara and Moyne Shire to provide support and understanding to this drought affected region. Events include food assistance, such as providing two tonnes of rice each month to Moyne Shire, day trips so that Boroondara residents can experience the drought conditions and to enable Moyne residents to visit Melbourne, farm tours and sporting events. In addition, the program builds upon Rotary’s core notion of fellowship by providing support and assistance to farmers experiencing depression due to the lasting drought conditions.
Sharing Communities is the Rotary governance structure that has been developed for Boroondara Cares and also to Stonnington and Nillumbik Cares, which follow a similar model of assisting drought affected regions. The program ensures a partnership approach through involving Rotary clubs within the affected region so that each organisation has an understanding of the type of assistance that is required.
The Boroondara Cares program and the Sharing Communities initiative demonstrates the productive community partnerships and support that can be established through Rotary networks. With 20 drought affected shires within Victoria it is clear that there is scope for similar programs across the State.
Leave a comment
Rotary Club of Ringwood - establishing regional partnerships , Rotary Club of Ringwood - the GROW program , Rotary Club of Ringwood - Community fundraising ideas , Mitcham Rotary Changeover Dinner , Rotary Club of Ringwood - discussing recycling
Category: Community Engagement, Maroondah, Rotary, Urban Sustainability
Alex Makin is a candidate for Mullum Ward in Maroondah City Council. Alex has been a councillor since 2005, representing ratepayers, businesses, community groups and residents.
I aim to provide an active voice for the community and welcome any thoughts you may have in regard to life and business in Maroondah.
Phone: (03) 9812 2337 or 0409 136 213
Email: alex@alexmakin.com.au
