tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post5947316520947112864..comments2024-03-13T10:32:22.656+00:00Comments on thanetonline: Give Me Tomorrow Today, a ramble about life, art and politics in Thanet.Michael Childhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-87491074211975008482012-10-17T23:50:31.968+01:002012-10-17T23:50:31.968+01:00So glad we have some unbiased altruistic councillo...So glad we have some unbiased altruistic councillors prepared to respond to their constituents and attempt to improve people's live. And putting their own popularity on the line and prepared to suffer vilificaton in a cause they believe in. Aren't we lucky?<br /><br />But how many are as saintly as Chris Wells?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-45279369205490846712012-10-12T16:22:45.544+01:002012-10-12T16:22:45.544+01:00Chris,
Yes, of course, I know that you are right ...Chris,<br /><br />Yes, of course, I know that you are right in what you say. I am guilty of generalising. After all, Laura Sandys is the best constituency MP that Thanet has ever had. She is a decent person. I know that she is principled, that she cares and that she has a sense of duty. But I think you may agree with me that politics is a rough knock about profession, and that rightly or wrongly politicians are not generally held in high regard. <br /><br />I agree with your final two sentences. Most of my acidic comments are born out of a similar frustration. Thanet needs rescuing - who can we rely on to do it? <br /><br />Note to self: perhaps I should reduce my listening to John Humphries and my watching of Paxman and Andrew Neil. <br /><br /><br /> John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-85262668978514844882012-10-12T12:45:14.351+01:002012-10-12T12:45:14.351+01:00Actually John, some of us do have some principle.....Actually John, some of us do have some principle..we follow through requests from constituents we may disagree with; we take stands on issues which make us unpopular and subject to villification from others; and we do try and stand by those things we said we were going to achieve at election time. After all, most of us only signed up to try and make others lives better as and where we can. Locally, right now, the impact of a hung council sees many reacting to any small group who are vocal in the belief that reacting to vocal voters may help in a tight spot. This is a bit sad, because Thanet right now cries out for some strategic thinking, and there seems to be little of it going on.Chris Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022576946890382047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-92094740913183744922012-10-12T11:27:51.734+01:002012-10-12T11:27:51.734+01:00Thanks Tom,
Politics is a rough knock about occup...Thanks Tom,<br /><br />Politics is a rough knock about occupation and politicians have a thick skin. They can look after themselves. They do not want our sympathy, or indeed anything else from us, with the exception of our vote. At times I cannot help admiring their resilience. Maybe some just enjoy a good punch up.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-45886496016334854062012-10-11T18:59:02.689+01:002012-10-11T18:59:02.689+01:00Well said, John, and even within the same party an...Well said, John, and even within the same party and, in extreme cases, the same family like Ed Milliband on his big brother.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-23181607841690968302012-10-11T18:57:16.550+01:002012-10-11T18:57:16.550+01:00No they didn't. Labour introduced the rises a...No they didn't. Labour introduced the rises almost as soon as they took over. The Conversatives had held them at the same level before.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-67226090025695339972012-10-11T17:31:31.894+01:002012-10-11T17:31:31.894+01:00Anonymous @ 5:11 PM,
True but when it all comes o...Anonymous @ 5:11 PM,<br /><br />True but when it all comes on top they will rat on each other and condemn each, providing they think they can get away with it.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-67943297607420801262012-10-11T17:11:47.879+01:002012-10-11T17:11:47.879+01:00They always agree about how much expenses they can...They always agree about how much expenses they can screw out of the tax payerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-70268950070324895232012-10-11T17:03:41.947+01:002012-10-11T17:03:41.947+01:00Peter,
Politicians rarely get along with each oth...Peter,<br /><br />Politicians rarely get along with each other; ego and ambition preclude it.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-84794099636856901812012-10-11T15:24:29.401+01:002012-10-11T15:24:29.401+01:00The difference is I'm not being paid by OUR mo...The difference is I'm not being paid by OUR money to run the place. If I did then hopefully I'd at least try to get along with my colleagues whatever their political (or sexual) persuasion. Peter Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283534498743254609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-8402689969400829522012-10-11T12:21:17.739+01:002012-10-11T12:21:17.739+01:00Peter,
So what. Is it not better to reveal the sn...Peter,<br /><br />So what. Is it not better to reveal the snipers and their intentions. The less that is hidded the better it must be. Besides Peter, since when have you been adverse to a bit of argufying. <br /><br />In the example I gave the Councillors were not asked to join the protest, but simply to use their influence within the existing regulations, which they did.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-78556112282039505482012-10-11T12:08:15.329+01:002012-10-11T12:08:15.329+01:00The only problem with that is if we get councillor...The only problem with that is if we get councillors to protest with us then we also get many other councillors just accusing them of jumping on bandwagons are being radical... and then the arguments and sniping worsens. Peter Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283534498743254609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-73801409886322167632012-10-11T10:45:07.045+01:002012-10-11T10:45:07.045+01:00A few years ago I attended a series of protest mee...A few years ago I attended a series of protest meetings. At which Councillors and even a TDC Official were asked for help, and to explain themselves. The questioning from the floor was robust. At times the hapless Councillors and Official were savaged by anger and also by forceful intellect (not mine). I learned a lesson here. In the immortal words of Corporal Jones. "they don't like it up 'em". <br /><br />In fairness I must add that in the event the Councillors lent their weight to the protest and did a very good job indeed. <br /><br />But first they needed to be shown that we the public cared. And this is the way it should be. All of us, Councillors, Officials and the public must always remember that that in our country power comes from the bottom up - and never from the top down. Local Government in particular tends to ignore this vital freedom. It is our task to show them that they do so at their peril. <br /><br /> John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-33025925695724418232012-10-11T10:10:40.247+01:002012-10-11T10:10:40.247+01:00I wish that Thanet had an inquisitive and impartia...I wish that Thanet had an inquisitive and impartial local press. We have a Radio Station but they merely play music. All politicians must be held to account. But this is extremely difficult at local government level. John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-29261062844443053672012-10-11T09:59:06.960+01:002012-10-11T09:59:06.960+01:00Peter,
Yours is a tempting thought. However, I su...Peter,<br /><br />Yours is a tempting thought. However, I suggest that it is best done through the ballot box. We should also hold them to account by bombarding them with requests -demands- for explanations for their actions and inaction. The best method is to drag them out of hiding by way of publicity. For this we require an aggressive and impartial local press. Which we do not have. It would benefit the electorate if some of our councillors were interviewed on TV or Radio by a John Humphries or an Andrew Neil. I suggest that there are rich pickings here. But no one really cares that much. So, Peter, perhaps a peaceful demo outside TDC offices?Zip Hydroboilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-61098760672568655072012-10-11T09:41:42.449+01:002012-10-11T09:41:42.449+01:00So what do you suggest we do? Storm TDC headquart...So what do you suggest we do? Storm TDC headquarters? Peter Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283534498743254609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-64666540895118374342012-10-10T23:56:55.565+01:002012-10-10T23:56:55.565+01:00anonymous @ 8:28,
This too is my perception. But ...anonymous @ 8:28,<br /><br />This too is my perception. But it is not the fault of the Councillors. Rather it is our fault for letting them get away with it. Zip Hydroboilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-15097482066270642652012-10-10T20:28:34.922+01:002012-10-10T20:28:34.922+01:00I have lived in three south london boroughs and al...I have lived in three south london boroughs and also Dover and do not recall such a low opinion of their councils as there seems to be in Thanet. Regardless of the local councillors party there appears to be a large consenus amongst the public here, that the council is generally useless andunable to provide a decent service. Maybe it is small-town thinking or an incorrect perception but I note that I have had more council-related problems here than I ever had at other boroughs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-64593014024661682012012-10-10T09:11:02.414+01:002012-10-10T09:11:02.414+01:00As to pay cuts you have to remember who is starvin...As to pay cuts you have to remember who is starving TDC of funds. Thanet have sufferred more than most councils in the country with the scale of the cuts here. Yes there was the transitional payment this year but thats what it was. So what is the council to do? Lay off 10% of the total work force as they have done in prosperous Sevenoaks? And there the number of sick days has risen mainly due to the stress the work force are now under.<br />But Michael its only a few months before you will hear from prospective KCC councillors who will put their heads up and you can tell them about your pavements and other problems that are KCC's remit rather than TDC. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-47641150843242308992012-10-10T09:02:17.683+01:002012-10-10T09:02:17.683+01:00There needs to either be a significant reduction i...There needs to either be a significant reduction in the number of councillors, or TDC needs to be abolished and amalgamated with another area such as Canterbury or Dover. What do all the councillors actually do? As Michael pointed out, most have no visible presence in their community, though to give them their due both Simon and John are exceptions. Peter Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283534498743254609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-21415278622173253982012-10-10T08:05:26.018+01:002012-10-10T08:05:26.018+01:00As long as everyone follows your example and refus...As long as everyone follows your example and refuses to vote, Chuck, we are likely to be stuck with those you describe as the present bunch of incompetents. It is only by voting for alternatives that we can bring about change. Why not give UKIP or some decent independent (you know a proper one rather than one who has flipped over from a main stream party like Worrow or Driver) a chance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-52277719331048890212012-10-10T07:41:21.171+01:002012-10-10T07:41:21.171+01:00I have just heard that the Italian government has ...I have just heard that the Italian government has dismissed the entire local council in a southern town owing to its alleged corruption and infiltration by the mafia.<br />I am certainly not suggesting that TDC is festering either of these unpleasant activities. Just wondering how much more councillor codswallop and nonsense can prevail before someone who has the power to dismiss our present bunch on incompetents takes similar action?<br />Vote in May? Not this baby! I would not waste my time and energy on any of 'em!<br />Chuck CollinsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-71995615390293738532012-10-09T23:04:20.228+01:002012-10-09T23:04:20.228+01:00Who decided Broadstairs should suffer retribution,...Who decided Broadstairs should suffer retribution, £3 for 2 hours parking at 7 PM. It will be Ask or Frankie & Bennies with free parking next time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-44876737098562061722012-10-09T23:00:22.044+01:002012-10-09T23:00:22.044+01:00i find it interesting that tdc paid the hay group ...i find it interesting that tdc paid the hay group a great deal of money about 6 or 7 years ago to regrade the whole of the council, the same company are now carrying out the same exercise for probably another great deal of money. Did they get it wrong last time ? if so are tdc getting a refund of all the money they paid last time, or have they had specific instructions this time just to reduce the salary bill of the majority of the council workers.<br />Another case of the chief exec and senior managers thinking that they work so hard cutting everyone elses wages they deserve their over inflated salary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-44564018580490457682012-10-09T21:08:31.848+01:002012-10-09T21:08:31.848+01:00Tom I don’t think we actually do have cuts of up t...Tom I don’t think we actually do have cuts of up to 25% for the low paid I think the maximum pay cut suggested was about 8%, I think it was 25% of council staff could see a pay cut of up to about 8%.<br /><br />Without knowing who gets paid how much for doing what and which workers would be likely to get a pay cut it is difficult to comment in any meaningful way. I do know that there is a limit to which those producing something tangible can support those who are producing bureaucracy, both in the private and public sector.<br /><br />I think when politicians talk about cutting the public sector, it is the officers producing paperwork and not those sweeping the streets or removing the rubbish that they imply they are going to cut. In practice the bureaucracy continues to grow and no political party seems to be able to deal with this at any level of government. <br />Michael Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.com