October 3, 2002

Letter to the editor

"MAYORS GALORE AT RANDWICK"

Last Wednesday, our Mayor invited me to attend an informal meeting at Randwick Council to hear out Mr Neaf Ziade who is seeking development consent for 145 Brook Street Coogee.

Present were, myself, other Randwick Councillors, staff planners, and associates of Mr. Ziade including Councillor John Comino, the Mayor of Woollahra Council.

Clr Comino opened the presentation and spoke very well in favor of Mr Ziade's proposal.

As you would expect from an experienced Councillor working for the development industry, John cut quickly to the central problems with the application.

Clr Comino is not the only well known local government identity to take an interest in how we Randwick Councillors come to decisions. Ex ALP South Sydney Mayor Vic Smith has dropped in on recent meetings to watch us.

He's fitted in so well that our ALP Mayor Dominic Sullivan usually invites him to stay back and sit at his table for dinner - an honor as the public is usually barred.

The rumor is that Vic feels so much at home that he will apply for the position of General Manager when the present incumbent departs next year. He would certainly bring a lot of wily experience to the job.

There may be competition though if John decides to pack Woollahra in and apply as well. It pays a lot better than most local Mayors can earn.

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Randwick City Greens Councillor Murray Matson