John So: Difference between revisions
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So's popularity in office resulted in him being named World Mayor for 2006 in an internet poll. So achieved 16,000 votes in this poll and obtained the title ahead of [[Amsterdam]] Mayor [[Job Cohen]], who placed second, and [[Harrisburg]] Mayor [[Stephen R. Reed]] who was third. World Mayor cited, amongst other things, the successful staging of the 2006 Commonwealth Games and So's popularity among the young population of Melbourne as a reason for So's victory. In its verdict, the judging panel described So as 'possibly the first city leader to enjoy 'cult status'".[14] So was humble after the results were revealed: "I am delighted to be elected World Mayor 2006," Mr. So said. In his closing statements to the media, he added "The honour belongs to the amazing people of this wonderful city and the hard working team at the City of Melbourne".[15] |
So's popularity in office resulted in him being named World Mayor for 2006 in an internet poll. So achieved 16,000 votes in this poll and obtained the title ahead of [[Amsterdam]] Mayor [[Job Cohen]], who placed second, and [[Harrisburg]] Mayor [[Stephen R. Reed]] who was third. World Mayor cited, amongst other things, the successful staging of the 2006 Commonwealth Games and So's popularity among the young population of Melbourne as a reason for So's victory. In its verdict, the judging panel described So as 'possibly the first city leader to enjoy 'cult status'".[14] So was humble after the results were revealed: "I am delighted to be elected World Mayor 2006," Mr. So said. In his closing statements to the media, he added "The honour belongs to the amazing people of this wonderful city and the hard working team at the City of Melbourne".[15] |
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In 2007, So's was |
In 2007, So's was criticised for the sacking of many staff at the Melbourne City Council. It was reported that the Council had presided over a $4.2 million blackhole and So needed to sack staff to make up for the loss.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sack likely for 75 city staff|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/sack-likely-for-75-city-staff/2007/08/07/1186252707847.html|publisher=The Age|date=2007-08-07}}</ref> An [[Ernst & Young]] report commissioned by the Council found that since So became Lord Mayor in 2001, marketing and advertising expenditure committed to promote his personal image had increased dramatically. The report also found that the Council will be bankrupt by 2016 if the spending continued.<ref>{{cite news|title=Big-spending mayor goes for broke|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/so-whats-up/2007/05/30/1180205338463.html|publisher=The Age|date=2007-05-31}}</ref> In a showdown, So survived a major embarrassment after he was forced to use his casting vote as Lord Mayor to defeat a 'vote of no confidence' made by all three major political parties: [[Australian Labor Party|Labor Party]], [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] and the [[Australian Greens|Greens]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Melbourne efficiency review to reveal council problems|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/05/30/1937386.htm|publisher=ABC News|date=2007-05-30}}</ref> |
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In 2007, So was again criticised over his refusal to meet the [[Dalai Lama]]. He sufferred further backlashes when Councillors accused him of attempting to prevent them from meeting the Dalai Lama by prohibiting documents about the Dalai Lama being passed to other Councillors.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dalai Lama may still drop in|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21809450-2862,00.html|publisher=Herald Sun|date=2007-05-29}}</ref> In the end, So was forced to invite the Dalai Lama to Town Hall after Councillors moved a motion of no confidence against him. .<ref>{{cite news|title=Mayor survives attack but loses Dalai Lama fight|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/mayor-survives-attacks-but-loses-dalai-lama-fight/2007/05/29/1180205255511.html|publisher=The Age|date=2007-05-30}}</ref> Nevertheless, he refused to meet the Dalai Lama personally. |
In 2007, So was again criticised over his refusal to meet the [[Dalai Lama]]. He sufferred further backlashes when Councillors accused him of attempting to prevent them from meeting the Dalai Lama by prohibiting documents about the Dalai Lama being passed to other Councillors.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dalai Lama may still drop in|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21809450-2862,00.html|publisher=Herald Sun|date=2007-05-29}}</ref> In the end, So was forced to invite the Dalai Lama to Town Hall after Councillors moved a motion of no confidence against him. .<ref>{{cite news|title=Mayor survives attack but loses Dalai Lama fight|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/mayor-survives-attacks-but-loses-dalai-lama-fight/2007/05/29/1180205255511.html|publisher=The Age|date=2007-05-30}}</ref> Nevertheless, he refused to meet the Dalai Lama personally. |
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Revision as of 14:13, 20 November 2007
Dr. John So | |
|---|---|
| File:Official portrait johnso.JPG Official portrait of John So in Mayoral regalia | |
| 102nd Lord Mayor of Melbourne | |
| Assumed office June 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Costigan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 2, 1946 Hong Kong |
| Nationality | Australian Chinese |
| Political party | Melbourne Living |
| Spouse | Wendy Cheng |
Dr. John Chun Sai So JP (Traditional Chinese: 蘇震西, pinyin: Sū Zhèn Xī; born 2 October 1946 in Hong Kong) is the Lord Mayor of City of Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, Australia. He was the first Lord Mayor in the city's history to be directly elected by the people; previously, Lord Mayors were elected by the Councillors. In office since 2001, So is currently the longest-serving Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
On 8 June 2007, John So received a Doctor of the University from Victoria University honouring his service in local government.
Background Information
So was born in Hong Kong[1], China. When he was 17 years old, he moved to Melbourne and completed his secondary education at University High School. He then went on to his tertiary studies, obtaining a Diploma of Education and Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne. After graduating, he taught physics at Fitzroy High School. He became a business operator in 1973 and is renowned as a restaurant operator in the city.
So's political career has included positions as Director of Melbourne Water Corporation, Vice-President of the Melbourne Chinatown Traders' Association, Chairman of the Asia Pacific Racing Carnival and Chairman of the Victorian Chinese Welfare Centre. [2]
So is also actively involved in Australia's major sporting events. He is the number one ticketholder for the Melbourne Demons Football Club (Australian Rules Football) and number two ticket holder for Melbourne Victory Football(Soccer) Club. He does not take an interest in rugby, but is an ardent supporter of the Melbourne Storm.
He has been married twice and has four children. His wife, Wendy Cheng, is the Lady Mayoress of Melbourne and chairs the Lady Mayoress' Committee.
First Term as Lord Mayor, 2001-2004
In the 2001 mayoral elections So polled the second highest number of primary votes of 14.9%. The candidate with the most primary votes, Peter Sheppard received 15.2%. By virtue of a clever preference deal with former Federal Minister and Australian Democrats founder, Don Chipp, So defeated Sheppard and became the first directly elected Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
So has been a popular Lord Mayor and has been credited for re-establishing confidence and unity in the Town Hall. So presided over a prosperous term in which Melbourne was voted World's Most Livable City on more than one occasion.[3] Observers commend So on his humble, low-key approach to the job and applaud him for choosing to walk to appointments whenever possible. Along with television presenter Livinia Nixon, So has been the face of the "That's Melbourne" campaign to encourage tourism. He has campaigned strongly against crime, and is a member of the Police Minister's Crime Prevention Council. He has also pushed for the Federal Government to build a national indigenous museum in Melbourne.
Nevertheless, So has been criticised. Some see him as a poor communicator, partly due to his heavily accented English. A restaurant with ties to So was also fined $75,000 for breaches of the Food Safety Act by his own Council.[4]
In 2002, So snubbed the Dalai Lama during his Australian visit, and it was left to the Geelong Mayor to meet him.[5] More recently, the Council was punished by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for leaving the Falun Gong out of the city's annual Moomba parade.[6]
Second Term as Lord Mayor, 2004-present
Though he had been a relatively popular mayor, So was widely expected to be defeated at the 2004 elections.[7] Despite this, So polled tremendously well on election day, achieving 42.2% of the primary votes (compared to his nearest rival who received 9.2%), and was re-elected in a landslide.[8] So's ticket for the Councillor positions was also successful, winning a historical majority in the Town Hall.[9]
During the 2006 Commonwealth Games, John So was warmly welcomed by Melbourne as a figurehead of the city, more than Victorian Premier Steve Bracks and Prime Minister John Howard. This led to "John So, he's our bro'" t-shirts and "John So for PM'" shirts and stickers being manufactured and worn by some Melburnians as a testament to the city's tolerance and multiculturalism. John So has since been raised to near-cult status, with the mere mention of his name enough to invoke cheers and chants from many people.
In 2006, So was among 11 recipients of the 'You Bring Charm to the World' Award, presented at Peking University in Beijing. The Award was jointly sponsored by Phoenix Television, Baidu, and Beijing Youth Daily and recognises the achievements of the 'most influential Chinese in 2006'.[13]
So's popularity in office resulted in him being named World Mayor for 2006 in an internet poll. So achieved 16,000 votes in this poll and obtained the title ahead of Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen, who placed second, and Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed who was third. World Mayor cited, amongst other things, the successful staging of the 2006 Commonwealth Games and So's popularity among the young population of Melbourne as a reason for So's victory. In its verdict, the judging panel described So as 'possibly the first city leader to enjoy 'cult status'".[14] So was humble after the results were revealed: "I am delighted to be elected World Mayor 2006," Mr. So said. In his closing statements to the media, he added "The honour belongs to the amazing people of this wonderful city and the hard working team at the City of Melbourne".[15]
In 2007, So's was criticised for the sacking of many staff at the Melbourne City Council. It was reported that the Council had presided over a $4.2 million blackhole and So needed to sack staff to make up for the loss.[10] An Ernst & Young report commissioned by the Council found that since So became Lord Mayor in 2001, marketing and advertising expenditure committed to promote his personal image had increased dramatically. The report also found that the Council will be bankrupt by 2016 if the spending continued.[11] In a showdown, So survived a major embarrassment after he was forced to use his casting vote as Lord Mayor to defeat a 'vote of no confidence' made by all three major political parties: Labor Party, Liberal Party and the Greens.[12]
In 2007, So was again criticised over his refusal to meet the Dalai Lama. He sufferred further backlashes when Councillors accused him of attempting to prevent them from meeting the Dalai Lama by prohibiting documents about the Dalai Lama being passed to other Councillors.[13] In the end, So was forced to invite the Dalai Lama to Town Hall after Councillors moved a motion of no confidence against him. .[14] Nevertheless, he refused to meet the Dalai Lama personally.
References
- ^ "Hong Kong-born Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John So".
- ^ "Councillors - The Right Honourable Lord Mayor John So". City of Melbourne.
- ^ "Best city in the world". The Age. 2002-10-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "So's campaign for second term trips on a cockroach". The Age. 2004-03-20.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Melbourne to snub Dalai Lama". ABC News Online. 2002-05-02.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "City Council bans Falun Gong from Moomba". The Age. 2003-02-21.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "The mayor will lose his war". The Age. 2004-11-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Mayoral Results for Melbourne City Council Elections 2004". Victorian Electoral Commission.
- ^ "Historic second term for So". The Age. 2004-11-28.
- ^ "Sack likely for 75 city staff". The Age. 2007-08-07.
- ^ "Big-spending mayor goes for broke". The Age. 2007-05-31.
- ^ "Melbourne efficiency review to reveal council problems". ABC News. 2007-05-30.
- ^ "Dalai Lama may still drop in". Herald Sun. 2007-05-29.
- ^ "Mayor survives attack but loses Dalai Lama fight". The Age. 2007-05-30.