Yarra Ranges councillors Ken Smith and Monika Keane signed off last week.By Kath Gannaway
TWO of Yarra Ranges Shire’s long-serving councillors signed off on Tuesday night.
Ken Smith who has represented Chirnside Ward for 13 years, and Monika Keane, O’Shannassy Ward representative for the past “nine-ish” years, to quote Cr Keane, were applauded by their fellow councillors as they prepared to return to civilian life.
Both paid tribute to their partners – Susie and Kevin.
An emotional Cr Keane said the decision to stand down from council had been a bittersweet one. She thanked her constituents and said she had formed some very close friendships over her three terms in office. To her fellow councillors, Cr Keane said “You have been my friends, my colleagues, my companions and my family.”
She had words of thanks, and words of advice for the council staff.
“We have some amazingly talented people who understand that it’s about community, community, community,” she said.
“For some, it’s about that,” she said. “And we have to understand that’s what staff are here for.”
Injecting one final touch of the legalese which has from time to time surfaced in his debates over the years, Cr Smith, a local barrister, opted for brevity. “I concur … and echo her remarks,” he said.
Cr Len Cox spoke highly of his colleagues’ contribution.
“Councillors come in for a bit of criticism,” he said. “But I would have to say our two retiring members of this council have done nothing but make decisions as their consciences dictated. That’s the most you can do,” he said.
With the gallery packed for three contentious agenda items, he provided another insight.
“If Ken and Monika had been members of state or federal governments they would be retiring on about $100,000 a year pensions for life.
“As it is, this is as good as it gets for them,” he said indicating the framed photographs presented earlier in the meeting by Mayor Tim Heenan.
