Post Election Musings

Wow! Re elected again, in my innermost thoughts I did not think I would get re elected, and I have to thank all the people of Moordown that took the trouble to vote for me. It was all rather interesting, exciting and very very tiring. The count continued until about 5.45am and we had to be back in the Town Hall for re counts by 11.30! When I am telling, taking the electoral numbers, I tend to use a rule of thumb measurement, to see who is likely to vote for me, and that is that the people who offer me their polling card numbers I reckon will vote for me and all the others will vote elsewhere. This of course isn't very scientific but it does give a vague idea.
I had one lovely experience, when telling at the Community Centre in Coronation Avenue, a young man , with learning difficulties, very proudly came up to me and told me he had been to vote and had voted for the BLUES and pointed to my lovely blue rosette.
I was really sorry that Steven Macloughlin, former leader and master mind of the regeneration of Bournemouth, failed to get elected in his new Ward by just 2 votes. Even after three re counts we couldn't find those missing votes and Stephen conceded with great dignity. It must have been heart breaking for him after 20 years on the Council. Steven you were not voted out you just missed unseating the encumbent Councillor by two votes, disappointing but so close.
Then of course there was the drama of the wipe out of the opposition parties. As I said on earlier blogs, how can a GROUP of Independents be truly Independent, especially as two of them were endorsing Lib/Dem or Labour Candidates in Wards where other Independents were standing. Unfortunately those two particular Candidates got re-elected, personally when you do something like that I don't think you deserve to be. Only 7 opposition members of all Parties. An effective opposition would have been better.
Unfortunately, whilst I congratulate the young person who took her seat, I am really sorry to see Mrs Pat Lewis leave the Council. I always felt that Pat was an excellent Councillor and Party politics did not feature greatly in her actions. She was the Old People's Champion, a job that she did with great proficiency, energy, sensitivity and professionalism. Pat we will miss you.
Well after all the excitement it is back to work, the roads still need sweeping, Council meetings still have to be attended and e mails have to be replied to. But I am so glad I am back.
Next project is the finale of the memorial Saga. Watch this space!
Don't forget, any comments please send to: sue4moordown@aol.com

Now it's all over on to the elections.

Well the Wedding is over and so is my Village Fete. Both were very enjoyable and tiring for the participants. Obviously I couldn't watch the wedding until the evening but it was a lovely affair and so very British. Just what the Country needs right now, something to cheer us all up, reconfirm what we are and bring in loads of money! How kind the weather was as well. Just the right mix of sun and cloud and, in our case, a slightly chilly wind that kept people off the beach. The crowds in London are amazing and I think it would be a very brave terrorist that would try to mix it with them. Everyone was so cheerful and having a really good time.
Our Fete was much the same but without the crowds, somehow our advertising didn't get around enough, will have to think up a different strategy next time. It was rather difficult , being so close to the election, as I have been working very long hours in the office and am hampered by what I can say during the run up to the elections. Next year I would like to have a really good Fete for St Georges Day, sunday 23rd April combined with a celebration of the Queen's Jubilee, something with Morris Dancers and maypole Dancing and games for the children. We had space hopper races and they were hugely popular, we will have to try that again next year. I have learnt so much this year that it will be so much easier next time. But I have to get a bigger Committee.
Roll on next thursday now, that is election day and I hope that my colleagues and I will all be returned. These last four years have been a really interesting time and I know we have learnt a lot and we would like to continue to serve the people of Moordown for at least another four years. It might sound smug, but when I drive around Moordown in my little car I feel really proud of how we have managed to make it a better place than it was when we were elected in May 2007. The streets are much cleaner, and on the whole litter free, whilst there are inconsiderate or lazy people we will never be able to keep it spotless, but we have done our best. The road markings have been repainted several times, the pot holes have been repaired, the graffitti has gone and the whole place looks cared for, Oh and don't forget the crossing in Malvern road. There will be hanging baskets in Wimborne Road come the summer. But there is still much to do, Parts of Ripon Road are in serious need of resurfacing and the whole of Shirley Road, I shall make that a priority , if I get elected, it may take a couple of years to get done but I think once the traffic people see the problems they will put it on the list. I also think we still need more equipment for both the two playgrounds, we will have to try and find a way to raise some money for that.
If you are concerned about the AV my response would be vote NO. This is an expensive ploy by Nick Clegg, agreed with by David Cameron to make it look like the L/Ds are actually doing something worthwhile. I don't think it has been thought through fully and despite all the YES people saying it works for Australia, they fail to mention that voting is compulsory in Australia. If we went along the Yes vote they would need to make the vote compulsory or nobody would bother voting. That would take away your inalienable right to vote or not as you choose. Many people worked hard for universal sufferage and that includes your right NOT to vote as well, if that is how you see it.
Any comments please e mail me : sue4moordown@aol.com
VOTE CONSERVATIVE ON THURSDAY - AND NO TO AV

Wrist Slapped

Oh dear now I have upset the Independents and they want me to change my blog. In fact I have been accused of writing untruths, I hadn't realised that laying the facts before the Public made it an untruth. Dictionary definition of an Independent is one who is independent of word and deed, separate,unconnected,unrelated, self sufficient and individual. An Independent individual will always have their own ideas and cannot possibly sign up to being a Party , should they be elected, or conform to a manifesto, or they cease to be Independent. Indeed do they really need a Leader?

Wedding Dress Fancy Dress Competition and Parade.

Last word tonight ; If you have young daughters, or sons for that matter, don't forget the Wedding dress, Fancy dress Competition, at the Village Fete on the 29th April from 12.00. Age Groups 12 and under and 8 and under. Please ring Sue Anderson on 527049 if you would like to enter, please leave a message on the answer phone. Hope to see lots of little Princesses at the Fete.

Election Literature and untruths

Whilst I have been writing this blog I have tried to keep this fairly negative, politically, most of the time, but as the election draws closer I find that I have to respond to some of the literature that is being put out around Moordown. Politics can be a dirty game but I do not agree with those thoughts and if you examine the literature that goes out under my name you will rarely find anything objectionable. I prefer to keep to the facts, i.e things that we have achieved in the past 4 years to make Moordown a better and more pleasant place to live. I do admit to sometimes comparing how things were 4 years ago but it is a long time ago and we need to be reminded of that so we continue to work to keep up the standard that we expect. Certain Parties are claiming that: 1. they stopped the increase in the allowances, that is absolutely untrue as it was an across the Council decision and none of the minority parties would have had the strength to do that had the Conservatives not agreed. In fact it was a Conservative initiative in the first place. 2. Right back in 2008 when an independent National body, set the increase of 17% to the Allowances , I was the only Councillor to refuse it for a year. There was no opposition from any of the other Parties. Allowances are a difficult issue, I know, but I do not think the whole subject has been properly explained. If we are to have a proper representation of the public, in the Council, they have to be paid some sort of remuneration. People below retirement age need to earn a living and although they are supposed to have time off for their Council duties, those duties can be so time consuming that an employer cannot afford to keep an employee on. Of course we could always return to the old days when only older wealthy people could stand for Council but would that be a fair representation of the people? At the moment we have Councillors from 20 - 80yrs old and from all walks of life and this gives a good range of experience to the Council. The basic pay for a Councillor, on duty virtually 24/7, although most people are considerate as to what hours they contact Councillors. What other job pays just £9250(before tax and insurance) for those hours, without special additional payments? The Unions would never allow it. 3. My next complaint about literature being put out is the use of dear old Ron Whittaker's name. We have a great deal of respect and genuine affection for Ron, who did sterling work when he represented parts of Moordown some years ago, but he is not standing in Moordown now so it is an irrelevance. If Independent Candidates cannot stand on their own feet, I have to ask are they suitable to be Councillors?. Also if you are an Independant are you a member of a Party? Should you have a Leader? Should that Leader be claiming the Party Leader's allowance of £1800 plus £180 per head per member of the Party? For the last four years I, and my Colleagues, have achieved much in Moordown and have really enjoyed serving the people of Moordown. We like to think we leave it in a far better state than it was when we were elected and hope that you will elect us again as there is still much to do.

Please support our Village Fete on the 29th, let's have a Party.

Thank you for reading this Blog.

Comments

I have to apologise to anyone that would be kind enough to write a comment about my blog, sadly it does not seem to be working effectively. If you would like to comment please send to sue4moordown@aol.com and I will reply ASAP. Thank you I am sorry for the inconvenience. Cllr. Sue

Celebration Moordown Village Fete.

Well at last it seems that spring is here, thank goodness. There I go again being frightfully British and starting right in with the weather! I suppose it must be because it is so variable and it does make a good ice breaker, no pun intended. So here we are, it is April we have Easter, 3 Bank Holidays, a Royal wedding, a Referendum and the elections to look forward to. Looks like we are going to be very busy but isn't it all exciting. Here at the Halifax Memorial Committee we couldn't let the Royal Wedding go by without doing something to celebrate so the obvious thing was a Party. There is a Fancy Dress Wedding Competition for the 12 and unders which can be a bride, a groom or a bridesmaid. Also the Moordown Traders are running an egg decorating competition, see their web site for details. Also lots of other things to keep everyone entertained. Look out for the posters around the village for details.