Bigotry

This is a copy of a letter I received today.... I am sorry, but I do not support the comments , and cannot understand the sentiments... But I can say that these people live in my ward, and I will continue to represent them in matters other than this!
A question I have to ask is '' Is this a Christian point of view'' .

I believe in a supreme being, but obviously not the same one as these folk!

To those who do not know these letters are quite regularly received by councillors, and so far, Most councillors treat them with the right amount of attention!

Election Results

So thats it! Another four years before Local Authority elections! Result No Overall Control. Lets hope us Councillors can use the result to work better for the folk of Thanet. I also hope that we will have a less confrontational Council chamber, though I somehow doubt it. Its a shame the public do not often visit some of the working committees of the council, where the real work is done. I think they would be surprised at the harmony that exists.

Rumours

As I promised a few weeks ago, I now can publish a link to prove that the rumours are true.

For some years rumours of Large Wild Cats stalking the parks and open spaces of Thanet have been rife, with reports of Panthers etc well published in the Local and National Press.

Follow the link below to read about the possibility that these stories could really be true!

New Evidence for Big Cats Cryptozoology Strange Days Fortean Times UK

EGYPTIAN Democracy ?

I do not know enough about the system in Egypt to pass a valid comment, but as an outsider it seems that somewhat less than 7% of the population made a fuss and the President was forced into exile.

If this is true, what was the view of the other 93%?

It make me glad that Great Britain is a Democracy!..

Parish Councils

As you all wait with baited breath for the end of the rumours, just think on this...... Monkton Parish Council take around £7k from the village residents a year. Of that over £3k pays the clerk! That means it costs £3k to spend £7k.

Is this value for money? how does it compare with Ramsgate Town Council?

So whats new?

Those of you who are waiting for new postings, ...... hang on for another few days and all will be revealed...... the truth about the rumours, and who is behind it all !!!!

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer!

I was interested to see the article in the 'papers' about how Harriet Harman plotted to remove Gordon Brown as leader of the Labour Party!

In the last few years I have not had much respect for Labour, either locally or nationally, but now hats off to them, they have a consistancy I did not realise!

Nationally they have their plotters to seize control of the Party, and locally it seems the knives are out as well. In the interests of the Conservative Party I wish Clive Hart well .

Driving Standards

Following a trip to canterbury today, where are people buying their driving licences now that Woolworths has closed?

Has a new highway code been published that says its ok to turn right without indicating, turn left whilst indicating right, or overtake on a blind bend?

I thought the driving test was getting harder, it appears not.

The Clocks Go Back!!

According to the news today some of the resident UK population are ''Worried about the reversion to GMT."

Is it not time to get a real perspective upon life on Earth and worry about real things, not those subjects that the media think we should worry about,? (so as to enhance their viewing figures or circulation figures)

Monkton PTFA

Well , as I said, I speak for villages, rural or not, How does the Monkton School PTFA defend its stance on the changing of the name of the 'All hallows eve' celebration planned by the PTFA? I would suggest that they have denied the local children the chance of celebrating one of our traditional occasions.
Any religion would be wise to extend the arms of support to any other, on the grounds that they all support the same principle of a 'supreme being'?

A Good Man Has Gone

Roy Ford, the man who told me to get interested in Planning, has finally left for the great brewery in the sky! Roy was intense in his love of good planning (from a Local Authority perspective), and equally passionate about Local Planning committee's being non corrupt, but forward thinking. He taught me all I know about the principles behind planning, and for that I will be forever in his debt.

He also taught me how to enjoy real ale, and for that I thank him more.

More importantly he taught me that politics is not about being nice, its about winning. I will forever respect him and his memory.

Thanks Labour

They have done it, given the Tories 10 years in government!! Ed Milliband, The best weapon the Tories now have!!!

Death

A person whom I knew died a week or so ago, Now should be the time to make nice comments about them, BUT, this person bullied my partner, got her sacked from her job( forced her to resign) and was generally nasty to her... I Cannot be nice about him, I am glad he is no longer part of our community, Am I being hard, or honest?

Medway Council election

Just a note,

Mark Nottingham, on his blog site, asked people to not vote for the BNP. Thanks for that Mark, the people of Medway voted for the Conservatives, result ,a new tory councillor..... Nice to see Mark Nottingham assisting the Tories, Lets work together Mark!!

Training in Thanet

Yesterday some folk may have noticed members of the Planning Committee being taken around Thanet in a Mini Bus. It was not a 'Jolly' but a tour to see some of the developements that TDC's planning committee have allowed in the last few years.

Some of the completed projects looked really good, some were 'so so' but we were pleased that , on the whole, the standard of construction was good.

This is only part of the training that members are getting. The highlight of the event was a guided tour around a conservation area in Broadstairs. (Interesting point was that St Peters was the reason Broadstairs came into existance)

Making hay whilst the sun shines

Over the past couple of weeks I have been keeping an eye on the weather , waiting for the hay to dry and be baled. Now that is well under way a few more days of warm weather should do it.

Having researched a bit, it seems that, when it comes to hay, we, here in the south east, are better off than the rest of the country.

Our winter rainfall was over average, the rest of the country are suffering from near drought conditions. That means that areas other than the South East are facing very high hay prices, low grain yields, and poor root crop weights. Look out for increased food prices this autumn.

Armed Forces Day

Just the thing we need to focus our minds on sacrifices made by our armed forces, and for the sense of security they bring to our country.

Other positive notes today, I see that the Royal Tournament is being brought back, Health and Safety legislation is being reviewed, ( To eliminate the 'daft' elements of its application) , and a limit on migrant workers from outside the EU.

All that and good weather too.....

Food

I took several pigs to the slaughter house today! No great deal, but I have a question?
Is that better than buying bacon in my local supermarket. The pigs in question had a good life, best of food, and gentle care. I know where they came from. how they were treated, and how they were transported. Your views are appreciated!

Low Life

I see that a home coming parade for our troops was today disrupted by some sadly misguided folk today.
No matter what your views on the rights or wrongs of the conflicts we are involved in, the actions of our troops should be up for our praise, not our scorn, I for one, salute them all.

50% Tax Rate

It seems that our new government are looking again at the new 50% tax rate.

The real question seems to be, If the result of the new tax band is a loss to the exchequer, should it be removed, thus not making it worth moving abroad or working out complicated systems of tax avoidance?

Or is our tax system to be used as a tool to punish success?