Looks like a case of Yes, Councillor

MAYFIELD Ward councillor Kevin Bradford has sustained his attack on Casey Council’s senior staff, but why?
He launched a surprise request during the Tuesday 6 March council in camera committee meeting that the chief executive position be advertised. His motion, although carried was out of order and lapsed, but he was to raise it again last night.
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler now has to work under stress and perhaps that suits the councillor and those who may support Cr Bradford for whatever reason.
Cr Bradford launched a nasty attack on Casey director of community services Jennie Lee with accusations that her department’s maternal and child health services were inadequate. His attack appears to have failed because his witchhunt found that Casey officers had coped well in efforts to handle the birth of 4000 babies a year and indications are that the government may use at least one of the innovations used at Casey.
Cr Bradford lost that round, but within a week launched his attack on Mr Tyler. One newspaper report claimed that growing disquiet existed with Mr Tyler over a miscalculation on the last council rate notice.
This is plain poppycock because it was a senior officer, not the chief executive officer who was on leave, who made the mistake. So what is Cr Bradford on about? It’s easy to blame the man at the top and this happens, but the real issue over that rates bungle was that the councillors at the last minute changed the set amount decided during the budget process.
Mike Tyler has a history of deals that have placed the City of Casey in a strong situation.
Years ago he saved the council nearly $1 million when he brokered a deal to cover a commitment foisted on the municipality because a local government superannuation fund was in trouble. By decree, the council was ordered to contribute enough to bail it out, but Mr Tyler arranged a most suitable arrangement to save the council money.
He bought land at a bargain rate that became Casey Fields at Cranbourne, now a magnificent area fast becoming a household name.
He brokered a deal to get Pioneers Park at Berwick that left the community delighted and unbelieving of its luck. He led a deal with his director of infrastructure that could mean a major commercial and social development at Fountain Gate, including a new civic centre and performing arts centre at no cost to the council.
It could be seen that Cr Bradford wants to replace a strong and competent chief executive with a yes man and his motive in attacking rather than supporting senior officers needs to be placed under question.
Mike Tyler may have to take responsibility for this rates mistake made between councillors and a senior officer while he was on holidays and could lose a few brownie points.
But My view is that we should give him a few brownie points back for the outstanding schemes I have mentioned as a small sample of his work.
He’ll probably come out in front.