Wantage and Grove
Parish hits back at councillor's criticism
MEMBERS of Grove Parish Council have been branded an "embarrassment to themselves" by a district councillor.
James McGee, 21, the Vale of White Horse District Council's youngest elected representative, last week accused Grove Parish Council of failing to keep villagers updated on plans for a large-scale housing development on their doorstep. About 2,500 homes could be built on the old airfield site, but residents are worried about the potential flood risk.
The parish council chairman, Frank Parnell, admitted his fellow members were not professional communicators, but believed residents had been kept in touch.
Mr McGee accused some parish councillors of failing to appreciate the problems for Grove if the drainage issue was not managed properly. The Tory said it was the parish council's job to keep electors informed about the development as best it could.
He said: "The community should be involved with everything that is going on. I have lived here ten years and I have seen nothing from the parish council. It is only from being on the district council that I know what's going on.
"People need to be aware of the issues facing the village."
Mr McGee, who is also Oxfordshire's youngest funeral director, caused the stir in February, when a letter appeared in the Wantage and Grove Review.
In it, he questioned some of the long-standing councillors' ability to represent the community because of their lack of knowledge of the flood risk. He said: "I printed the letter because after a parish council meeting in January, the public were asking questions of the parish council which they could not answer.
"They said the public have the opportunity to read the council minutes on the website but no one wants to do that."
Last week, parish councillors, at their full council meeting, accused Mr McGee of criticising their integrity. Mr McGee said: "They resorted to playground politics to intimidate me. It seems they have been embarrassed by me and there was a threat implied to take me to the Standards Committee. They are an embarrassment to themselves."
Mr Parnell said a meeting had been requested with Mr McGee, but he had failed to attend. He said: "We were concerned about the tone of the letter, rather than the content, and there were some slight inaccuracies.
"We wanted to sort it all out at an informal meeting."
Mr Parnell said information about the development had been available to villagers at every public council meeting since 2002, and articles had been printed in the parish newsletters.
He said: "The only valid point he made is that we are not as good as communicating as we could be.
"But we are not professional communicators, we are all doing this in our own time. We recognise it's something we need to work on and we are working on it.
"I just hope that's the end of it. We have both aired our views. We just want to draw a line under it now. We need to work together for the future of Grove."
Developer Persimmon Homes has remained tight-lipped over its plans to manage the drainage issue. It is due to submit development plans to the district planning authority in September.
12:36pm Tuesday 29th April 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: David, wantage on 2:40pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Mr Parnell says that his council are not professional communicators, we are all doing this in our own time.
Well no one forced you onto the council. One should only be on the council where one has something good to contribute to address community matters in the best way possible, considering both short-term and long-term consequences. If expert or technical issues need to be dealt with, cannot they raise it further up the council chain, rather than ignore it or **** it up.
I attended GPC meeting last year after the floods to hear WACC's presentation. A member of the public was talking about the flood issues and when he finished someone in the council asked for his name to which he replied 'you all know my name'. I was further gobsmacked when I saw one of them in regalia - was it the chairman's chain of office. Too much ceremony rather than commonsense reasoning. Another thing. Has anyone read the rules regarding members wanting to ask questions at these council meetings? Take Wantage Town Council website. You must submit your question in advance of a meeting for 'censorship'. You have a maximum of 3 minutes but this time and what you are then allowed to say is dictated by the council, so anything contentious or sensitive may not even be heard. Is that really democracy. Good on Mr McGee in shaking up some of the old codgers.
Watch out for Persimmon Homes. They could well be beginning to suffer under this credit/mortgage squeeze. Plus they may be as ruthless as the developer building some 230 dwellings in Wantage.
Mr Parnell says that his council are not professional communicators, we are all doing this in our own time.
Well no one forced you onto the council. One should only be on the council where one has something good to contribute to address community matters in the best way possible, considering both short-term and long-term consequences. If expert or technical issues need to be dealt with, cannot they raise it further up the council chain, rather than ignore it or **** it up.
I attended GPC meeting last year after the floods to hear WACC's presentation. A member of the public was talking about the flood issues and when he finished someone in the council asked for his name to which he replied 'you all know my name'. I was further gobsmacked when I saw one of them in regalia - was it the chairman's chain of office. Too much ceremony rather than commonsense reasoning. Another thing. Has anyone read the rules regarding members wanting to ask questions at these council meetings? Take Wantage Town Council website. You must submit your question in advance of a meeting for 'censorship'. You have a maximum of 3 minutes but this time and what you are then allowed to say is dictated by the council, so anything contentious or sensitive may not even be heard. Is that really democracy. Good on Mr McGee in shaking up some of the old codgers.
Watch out for Persimmon Homes. They could well be beginning to suffer under this credit/mortgage squeeze. Plus they may be as ruthless as the developer building some 230 dwellings in Wantage.
Posted by: Graham, Wantage on 8:09pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Well said David, you make some good points.
Personally, despite always turning out to vote, and going to every public meeting that I can, I have never met my local councillor(s): I have no idea who they are: the Wantage Town council is a miracle of obstructiveness on the subject and quite frankly I have no idea who to contact on what issue.
Being unable to ask questions at Town meetings is ridiculous (yes, David, I read that bit about advance notification of questions with disbelief, too) but at least they've increased the time slot to 5 mins...
and as for "the public have the ...opportunity to read the minutes on the website" well, have you ever tried it? Go on, go to google, type in "grove parish council" and follow the links to the various meetings. They are almost unreadable, being a foul combination of jargonised verbosity, un-guessable acronyms, and unhelpful abbreviation. Example: "Letter from X re council grant: this was noted."
I think we need a few more 21-year olds on the council...
Well said David, you make some good points.
Personally, despite always turning out to vote, and going to every public meeting that I can, I have never met my local councillor(s): I have no idea who they are: the Wantage Town council is a miracle of obstructiveness on the subject and quite frankly I have no idea who to contact on what issue.
Being unable to ask questions at Town meetings is ridiculous (yes, David, I read that bit about advance notification of questions with disbelief, too) but at least they've increased the time slot to 5 mins...
and as for "the public have the ...opportunity to read the minutes on the website" well, have you ever tried it? Go on, go to google, type in "grove parish council" and follow the links to the various meetings. They are almost unreadable, being a foul combination of jargonised verbosity, un-guessable acronyms, and unhelpful abbreviation. Example: "Letter from X re council grant: this was noted."
I think we need a few more 21-year olds on the council...
Posted by: Sue B, Grove on 8:56pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Well done James, for making Grove Parish Council take a look at themselves - it's just a pity that they still see nothing wrong with their conduct and obligation to the community.
I started reading the Parish Council minutes after the July floods, and noticed that I was mentioned in the general meeting of July 2007, though not by name. I had complained that no-one from the parish council had bothered to visit any of the householders who were flooded; and in one particular instance a parish councillor crossed the road to avoid a neighbour of mine, who she knew personally, just in case she had been flooded (she wasn't, thankfully for her), and the Parish Councillor would then have had to discuss the situation which they seem totally unwilling to do.
Well done James, for making Grove Parish Council take a look at themselves - it's just a pity that they still see nothing wrong with their conduct and obligation to the community.
I started reading the Parish Council minutes after the July floods, and noticed that I was mentioned in the general meeting of July 2007, though not by name. I had complained that no-one from the parish council had bothered to visit any of the householders who were flooded; and in one particular instance a parish councillor crossed the road to avoid a neighbour of mine, who she knew personally, just in case she had been flooded (she wasn't, thankfully for her), and the Parish Councillor would then have had to discuss the situation which they seem totally unwilling to do.
Posted by: simon, out there... on 8:41am Wed 30 Apr 08
This is the problem with A LOT of PC's these days. For a start, a lot of PC's have virtually 'permanent members' with no real 'community involvement'. In some cases it is as bad as 'the closed shop' which were the trade unions forte. Worse, a lot of PC's are made up of members to shore up 'the party in power'- so much for these bodies being 'for the community'. I'm afraid the only way to resolve this is for local residents to get off their backsides and go along to meetings of the PC. There they can gauge the effectiveness of local representatives and question them. Local councillors are there to be contacted and to be questioned too. If you are not happy with local services- or the way they are provided-TELL them. By Christ, it's not difficult.
This is the problem with A LOT of PC's these days. For a start, a lot of PC's have virtually 'permanent members' with no real 'community involvement'. In some cases it is as bad as 'the closed shop' which were the trade unions forte. Worse, a lot of PC's are made up of members to shore up 'the party in power'- so much for these bodies being 'for the community'. I'm afraid the only way to resolve this is for local residents to get off their backsides and go along to meetings of the PC. There they can gauge the effectiveness of local representatives and question them. Local councillors are there to be contacted and to be questioned too. If you are not happy with local services- or the way they are provided-TELL them. By Christ, it's not difficult.
Posted by: Des, Wantage on 10:24am Wed 30 Apr 08
[quote]when a letter appeared in the Wantage and Grove Review[/quote] [quote] a meeting had been requested with Mr McGee, but he had failed to attend[/quote]
Is this REALLY a story? It sounds like kindergarten stuff. I fail to see why these issues could not be discussed face-to-face in an adult way without communicating through the press in this silly way.
I used to be a Parish Councillor in Lancashire and know how much work these people put in without any pay. Graham, you admit to never attending a public meeting and never meeting your local councillors. [bold]Dont you think this says a lot more about you than them???[/bold] Or is this just the usual political crowd to be found here.
when a letter appeared in the Wantage and Grove Review
a meeting had been requested with Mr McGee, but he had failed to attend
Is this REALLY a story? It sounds like kindergarten stuff. I fail to see why these issues could not be discussed face-to-face in an adult way without communicating through the press in this silly way.
I used to be a Parish Councillor in Lancashire and know how much work these people put in without any pay. Graham, you admit to never attending a public meeting and never meeting your local councillors.
Dont you think this says a lot more about you than them??? Or is this just the usual political crowd to be found here.
Posted by: Corrinne on 11:58am Wed 30 Apr 08
Go Jimmy! Great that you're putting the cat amongst the pigeons! About time someone slapped them in the face with bare naked facts. Although not living in Wantage anymore, I continue to be a regular on this website and keep myself updated with issues affecting my hometown and remaining family members that are still there. Keep up the good work.
Go Jimmy! Great that you're putting the cat amongst the pigeons! About time someone slapped them in the face with bare naked facts. Although not living in Wantage anymore, I continue to be a regular on this website and keep myself updated with issues affecting my hometown and remaining family members that are still there. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Richard T, Grove on 1:13pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Hang on a minute, the planning authority for this new development is the Vale Council of which James McGee is a member! Surely, it is about time that he informed the community about what is happening and about what HE is doing? He has been completely invisible since being elected as a Tory councillor - website only (conveniently) updated at election times, no surgeries, no newsletters.
He is paid an allowance to communicate with residents - what has he done with this money? Carping from the sidelines at volunteer conicllors is no way to act as a councillor - he should be working with the Parish not against them.
Hang on a minute, the planning authority for this new development is the Vale Council of which James McGee is a member! Surely, it is about time that he informed the community about what is happening and about what HE is doing? He has been completely invisible since being elected as a Tory councillor - website only (conveniently) updated at election times, no surgeries, no newsletters.
He is paid an allowance to communicate with residents - what has he done with this money? Carping from the sidelines at volunteer conicllors is no way to act as a councillor - he should be working with the Parish not against them.
Posted by: paul, Grove on 2:17pm Wed 30 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Richard T[/bold] wrote:
Hang on a minute, the planning authority for this new development is the Vale Council of which James McGee is a member! Surely, it is about time that he informed the community about what is happening and about what HE is doing? He has been completely invisible since being elected as a Tory councillor - website only (conveniently) updated at election times, no surgeries, no newsletters. He is paid an allowance to communicate with residents - what has he done with this money? Carping from the sidelines at volunteer conicllors is no way to act as a councillor - he should be working with the Parish not against them.[/quote] Richard T? I regularly speak with James on matters which are private to me (tax, benefit etc) and I'm sure I'm not the only one to do so! I personally would be very offended if he publicly declared my call for aid. He has worked hard since May, and what’s more he's actually out there been seen. Everyone knows him, and from what I can gather he's spoken very highly of. Just because he doesn’t plaster his face all over the media to gain political points, doesn’t mean he's invisible. I was also under the impression that the allowance is for travel and time. I doubt that the Liberal run council would fund a Tory to promote his work!
Richard T wrote:
Hang on a minute, the planning authority for this new development is the Vale Council of which James McGee is a member! Surely, it is about time that he informed the community about what is happening and about what HE is doing? He has been completely invisible since being elected as a Tory councillor - website only (conveniently) updated at election times, no surgeries, no newsletters. He is paid an allowance to communicate with residents - what has he done with this money? Carping from the sidelines at volunteer conicllors is no way to act as a councillor - he should be working with the Parish not against them.
Richard T? I regularly speak with James on matters which are private to me (tax, benefit etc) and I'm sure I'm not the only one to do so! I personally would be very offended if he publicly declared my call for aid. He has worked hard since May, and what’s more he's actually out there been seen. Everyone knows him, and from what I can gather he's spoken very highly of. Just because he doesn’t plaster his face all over the media to gain political points, doesn’t mean he's invisible. I was also under the impression that the allowance is for travel and time. I doubt that the Liberal run council would fund a Tory to promote his work!
Posted by: Richard T, Grove on 2:30pm Wed 30 Apr 08
[quote]I was also under the impression that the allowance is for travel and time. I doubt that the Liberal run council would fund a Tory to promote his work![/quote]
Sorry you are wrong. The same allowancs is paid to all councillors irrespective of their political party. This is to cover their time and their costs in communicating with residents. Our parish councillors are paid nothing and choose to give up their time voluntarily.
I dont understand the relevance of your private discussions. I thought this whole thread and article was about communicatiing with the **community**. Totally absent as far as I can see in the case of Mr. McGee... unless you count a childish letter to a local newsletter.
It is all too easy to criticise people who are doing their best. I agree with Simon - if you have issues, then contact your local councillors and TALK to them.
I was also under the impression that the allowance is for travel and time. I doubt that the Liberal run council would fund a Tory to promote his work!
Sorry you are wrong. The same allowancs is paid to all councillors irrespective of their political party. This is to cover their time and their costs in communicating with residents. Our parish councillors are paid nothing and choose to give up their time voluntarily.
I dont understand the relevance of your private discussions. I thought this whole thread and article was about communicatiing with the **community**. Totally absent as far as I can see in the case of Mr. McGee... unless you count a childish letter to a local newsletter.
It is all too easy to criticise people who are doing their best. I agree with Simon - if you have issues, then contact your local councillors and TALK to them.
Posted by: Graham, Wantage on 5:43pm Thu 1 May 08
Des, please read my entry properly: I [bold]have[/bold] attended every public meeting that I can, and I [bold]have[/bold] made efforts to find my local councillors.
Kindly don't misquote me.
Des, please read my entry properly: I
have attended every public meeting that I can, and I
have made efforts to find my local councillors.
Kindly don't misquote me.
Posted by: Cathy, Grove on 9:28pm Thu 1 May 08
I think some of the above commentors are mistaking Grove PC with Wantage TC. Wantage only allow 3 minutes per question whereas Grove PC allow 5, and you can ask them on the night without prior notification, I should know I have. Can't remember seeing any of the names above on last years ballot papers though, perhaps they should put up or shut up!!
I think some of the above commentors are mistaking Grove PC with Wantage TC. Wantage only allow 3 minutes per question whereas Grove PC allow 5, and you can ask them on the night without prior notification, I should know I have. Can't remember seeing any of the names above on last years ballot papers though, perhaps they should put up or shut up!!
Posted by: Sue B, Grove on 10:10pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Cathy[/bold] wrote:
I think some of the above commentors are mistaking Grove PC with Wantage TC. Wantage only allow 3 minutes per question whereas Grove PC allow 5, and you can ask them on the night without prior notification, I should know I have. Can't remember seeing any of the names above on last years ballot papers though, perhaps they should put up or shut up!![/quote] You know what - I'd love to stand for the Parish Council, but I can't even get to the meetings because I'm agoraphobic. That's why I read the minutes on the internet, so I can keep informed of what's happening.
Oh, yeah, and for the past 9 months I've been rather busy dealing with the aftermath of my house being flooded. I have 2 children, one of whom has chronic fatigue syndrome, so excuse me if I don't put myself forward for the PC, but my family comes first.
I am, however, still entitled to my say, so I'm sorry, but I won't being put myself up, nor will I be shutting up!
Cathy wrote:
I think some of the above commentors are mistaking Grove PC with Wantage TC. Wantage only allow 3 minutes per question whereas Grove PC allow 5, and you can ask them on the night without prior notification, I should know I have. Can't remember seeing any of the names above on last years ballot papers though, perhaps they should put up or shut up!!
You know what - I'd love to stand for the Parish Council, but I can't even get to the meetings because I'm agoraphobic. That's why I read the minutes on the internet, so I can keep informed of what's happening.
Oh, yeah, and for the past 9 months I've been rather busy dealing with the aftermath of my house being flooded. I have 2 children, one of whom has chronic fatigue syndrome, so excuse me if I don't put myself forward for the PC, but my family comes first.
I am, however, still entitled to my say, so I'm sorry, but I won't being put myself up, nor will I be shutting up!
Posted by: Richard T, Grove on 10:31am Fri 2 May 08
[quote]so excuse me if I don't put myself forward for the PC[/quote]
[bold]In which case, if you do nothing you can hardly complain![/bold]
Many people were flooded last year, yet you seem to think that everyone should be at your personal beck and call.
As I am sure you well know, councillors have almost no responsibility for dealing with floods - that is the area of the EA, landowners, Thames Water and eventually your insurers.
Despite all this, you seem to be totally ungrateful for the fact that councils like the Vale and the CC have offered help to residents which is way beyond their call of duty. Now you try to blame volunteer councillors on the PC. Get over it - if you live near to a river or stream there is a possibility that you will flood. Be better prepared next time and lambast the EA and local landowners who do not maintain the river banks... not criticise volunteer people who are trying to do their best with very little thanks.
Cathy is right, you should either do something positive or shut up.
so excuse me if I don't put myself forward for the PC
In which case, if you do nothing you can hardly complain!
Many people were flooded last year, yet you seem to think that everyone should be at your personal beck and call.
As I am sure you well know, councillors have almost no responsibility for dealing with floods - that is the area of the EA, landowners, Thames Water and eventually your insurers.
Despite all this, you seem to be totally ungrateful for the fact that councils like the Vale and the CC have offered help to residents which is way beyond their call of duty. Now you try to blame volunteer councillors on the PC. Get over it - if you live near to a river or stream there is a possibility that you will flood. Be better prepared next time and lambast the EA and local landowners who do not maintain the river banks... not criticise volunteer people who are trying to do their best with very little thanks.
Cathy is right, you should either do something positive or shut up.
Posted by: David, wantage on 1:58pm Fri 2 May 08
Cathy and Richard T - your rudeness towards contributors on a democratic forum basically sums up the very point made by Mr McGee. So if people do not share your exact view they they 'shut up'; I guess if more elaborate language was permitted you would not hesitate to do so. You probably don't realise how rude it is to say 'shut up'.
Point taken about the 3 minute rule; I took it from WTC website. However, looking at GPC website, I could see no mention about 5 minutes or indeed any information about non committee members questioning or contributing to GP. Perhaps you could explain where this information is. Even the address is unclear, stating Grove Parish Council, School Lane (is there a post box or is this Mill Hall); so informative for the relief postman. I was merely giving an example of how verbose these rules can be if applied to the letter or rather used to curtail public questioning of inadequate council contribution to the community it is supposed to serve. Surely it is always a good idea for frequent inward looking in order to remain focussed. This is reality not 'Vicar of Dibley'; having said that although there the PC chairman is arrogant and verbose but is mostly right and logical; it's the other ones we laugh at who may be typical of those on such real committees. Another reason why Mr McGee makes his comments, plus there is criticism of his report to the Wantage and Grove Review. Is that because hardly any public attend the GPC meetings regularly, the councillors tell him to 'shut up', or censure his contribution in the council minutes.
If you disagree so strongly report the comment for its removal!
Cathy and Richard T - your rudeness towards contributors on a democratic forum basically sums up the very point made by Mr McGee. So if people do not share your exact view they they 'shut up'; I guess if more elaborate language was permitted you would not hesitate to do so. You probably don't realise how rude it is to say 'shut up'.
Point taken about the 3 minute rule; I took it from WTC website. However, looking at GPC website, I could see no mention about 5 minutes or indeed any information about non committee members questioning or contributing to GP. Perhaps you could explain where this information is. Even the address is unclear, stating Grove Parish Council, School Lane (is there a post box or is this Mill Hall); so informative for the relief postman. I was merely giving an example of how verbose these rules can be if applied to the letter or rather used to curtail public questioning of inadequate council contribution to the community it is supposed to serve. Surely it is always a good idea for frequent inward looking in order to remain focussed. This is reality not 'Vicar of Dibley'; having said that although there the PC chairman is arrogant and verbose but is mostly right and logical; it's the other ones we laugh at who may be typical of those on such real committees. Another reason why Mr McGee makes his comments, plus there is criticism of his report to the Wantage and Grove Review. Is that because hardly any public attend the GPC meetings regularly, the councillors tell him to 'shut up', or censure his contribution in the council minutes.
If you disagree so strongly report the comment for its removal!
Posted by: David, wantage on 2:05pm Fri 2 May 08
On the subject of bungles, has anyone noticed the Limborough Road street sign at roundabout entrance to Limborough Road retail development. Is is about one foor from the bottom step leading up to a property front door. Rather like the chicken and the egg; which came first; the step or sign planning?
On the subject of bungles, has anyone noticed the Limborough Road street sign at roundabout entrance to Limborough Road retail development. Is is about one foor from the bottom step leading up to a property front door. Rather like the chicken and the egg; which came first; the step or sign planning?
Posted by: David, wantage on 2:10pm Fri 2 May 08
[italic][bold]GROVE PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING IS 2 MAY 2008 7.30pm
YES THAT'S TODAY
GO ALONG AND SEE/HEAR WHAT YOUR COUNCILLORS HAVE BEEN UP TO LAST YEAR[/bold][/italic]
Does anyone know how to use these formatting buttons!
GROVE PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING IS 2 MAY 2008 7.30pm
YES THAT'S TODAY
GO ALONG AND SEE/HEAR WHAT YOUR COUNCILLORS HAVE BEEN UP TO LAST YEAR
Does anyone know how to use these formatting buttons!
Posted by: Richard T., Grove on 2:47pm Fri 2 May 08
[quote]rather than ignore it or **** it up[/quote] [quote]I was further gobsmacked[/quote] [quote]some of the old codgers[/quote]
David, I think the intemperate langauge has come from you. The phrase "put up or shut up" is a well-used colloquial phrase - which I am sure you well know - and should not cause offence.
As for your other comments they are way off track as has been pointed out. We all know that the GPC is in Old Mill Hall - if u have a problem with their web why dont your write to the clerk to ask him to update it?
I repeat again the comments in the Wantage and Grove Review were juvenile and cowardly. It is no way for elected representatives to progress their political agenda. If they wish to make such comments, they should agree to make them face to face in a meeting with a view to getting the best outcome. Looking at the GPC minutes, Mr. McGee has barely turned up to a meeting ( not even apologies) since being elected. I have heard similar complaints from people about other meetings.
On the subject of Limborough "bungle", have your reported it? (which would be the neighbourly and good citizen thing to do).
rather than ignore it or **** it up
I was further gobsmacked
some of the old codgers
David, I think the intemperate langauge has come from you. The phrase "put up or shut up" is a well-used colloquial phrase - which I am sure you well know - and should not cause offence.
As for your other comments they are way off track as has been pointed out. We all know that the GPC is in Old Mill Hall - if u have a problem with their web why dont your write to the clerk to ask him to update it?
I repeat again the comments in the Wantage and Grove Review were juvenile and cowardly. It is no way for elected representatives to progress their political agenda. If they wish to make such comments, they should agree to make them face to face in a meeting with a view to getting the best outcome. Looking at the GPC minutes, Mr. McGee has barely turned up to a meeting ( not even apologies) since being elected. I have heard similar complaints from people about other meetings.
On the subject of Limborough "bungle", have your reported it? (which would be the neighbourly and good citizen thing to do).
Posted by: Sue B, Grove on 5:16pm Fri 2 May 08
[quote][bold]Richard T[/bold] wrote:
[quote]so excuse me if I don't put myself forward for the PC[/quote] [bold]In which case, if you do nothing you can hardly complain![/bold] Many people were flooded last year, yet you seem to think that everyone should be at your personal beck and call. As I am sure you well know, councillors have almost no responsibility for dealing with floods - that is the area of the EA, landowners, Thames Water and eventually your insurers. Despite all this, you seem to be totally ungrateful for the fact that councils like the Vale and the CC have offered help to residents which is way beyond their call of duty. Now you try to blame volunteer councillors on the PC. Get over it - if you live near to a river or stream there is a possibility that you will flood. Be better prepared next time and lambast the EA and local landowners who do not maintain the river banks... not criticise volunteer people who are trying to do their best with very little thanks. Cathy is right, you should either do something positive or shut up.[/quote] You have got to be joking! I have as much right to complain as any other resident in this village, it's called "free speech", and this is a public forum that invites comment. Are you seriously suggesting that the 99.99% of people in Grove who are not serving on the Parish Council have to keep their mouths shut? Ridiculous!
Where have I said that I expect everyone to be at my "personal beck and call"? I think you'll find that I've never said that, nor given the impression that I expect that. Kindly get your facts right before making these negative comments about me.
I'm not articulate, I don't have a degree in politics and I often have trouble getting my point of view across, but I try my best to be involved with the things that interest me as far as my limitations allow. Before I became almost housebound, I was Membership Secretary for the Playgroup that my children attended. After that I was a School Governor, and I went into school every afternoon for a year to help out when my youngest child was in year 1. Before I moved to Grove I was a member of one of the main political parties and have canvassed on their behalf. I've also campaigned to have Grove Station re-opened, including writing to the then Minister for Transport, John Prescott. I've spoken out on local radio in support of various things and have also made a point of keeping the July Floods in people's minds, because the heartache doesn't end when the rain stops and the media disappears.
Things that I have mentioned about the local council in respect of the flooding, are comments made by my neighbours in the aftermath of the floods. I know that they won't speak out, so I've done it for them, and will continue to do so.
You say
"Despite all this, you seem to be totally ungrateful for the fact that
councils like the Vale and the CC have offered help to residents which is
way beyond their call of duty."
Kindly point out where I've said that I'm not grateful for help from the Vale and County. Again, I think you'll find I haven't said anything of the kind, though I have voiced my appreciation for the grant given not just from the Vale, but also from the local Co-Op and the Bishop of Oxford. I'm not sure what help the CC has offered to residents of Grove specifically, maybe you could let me know what they've done for us.
I would also like to say, again, how grateful I am to Bill Melotti, Councillor for Wantage, who helped us remove our carpet when we were really struggling to get rid of the stench in our house so that we could return home as a family. And I'm grateful to our MP, Ed Vaizey, for visiting my home again in November so he could see the dire conditions we were living in - he was shocked at what he saw. Vale Councillors and our MP came to visit the flooded houses several times. The Parish Councillors did not visit, at least my street, and it's not just me that is angry about that. It was the main topic of conversation in the early days after the flood, that the local group of people who we had voted in to act on our behalf, couldn't even be bothered to pay a quick visit to even offer their commiseration. Again, this is the thoughts of my neighbours as well as myself. What I am trying to do is to make the PC see that many of us feel let down by their lack of support. The Vale has readily acknowledged that they learnt a lot from their initial mistakes after the flood, it would be nice if the PC could admit the same.
If my home is ever flooded again, I couldn't give a toss whether or not the PC come to visit, because I know how things work now. But back in July 2007 we were all in shock, scared, worried, and wanted some guidance and support - both physical and pyschological. The letter that the PC wrote to the Grove Parish Newsletter after the flood was nothing other than excuses for their lack of action on the day of the flood, and it angered a great number of people.
You know what, I will shut up now, but only because I've got better things to do with my time than try to make you understand where I'm coming from, as it's obvious to me that we'll never agree. But that's the beauty of our society - I have as much right to make my comments public as you do. So, maybe you should take your own advice ;)
Richard T wrote:
so excuse me if I don't put myself forward for the PC
In which case, if you do nothing you can hardly complain! Many people were flooded last year, yet you seem to think that everyone should be at your personal beck and call. As I am sure you well know, councillors have almost no responsibility for dealing with floods - that is the area of the EA, landowners, Thames Water and eventually your insurers. Despite all this, you seem to be totally ungrateful for the fact that councils like the Vale and the CC have offered help to residents which is way beyond their call of duty. Now you try to blame volunteer councillors on the PC. Get over it - if you live near to a river or stream there is a possibility that you will flood. Be better prepared next time and lambast the EA and local landowners who do not maintain the river banks... not criticise volunteer people who are trying to do their best with very little thanks. Cathy is right, you should either do something positive or shut up.
You have got to be joking! I have as much right to complain as any other resident in this village, it's called "free speech", and this is a public forum that invites comment. Are you seriously suggesting that the 99.99% of people in Grove who are not serving on the Parish Council have to keep their mouths shut? Ridiculous!
Where have I said that I expect everyone to be at my "personal beck and call"? I think you'll find that I've never said that, nor given the impression that I expect that. Kindly get your facts right before making these negative comments about me.
I'm not articulate, I don't have a degree in politics and I often have trouble getting my point of view across, but I try my best to be involved with the things that interest me as far as my limitations allow. Before I became almost housebound, I was Membership Secretary for the Playgroup that my children attended. After that I was a School Governor, and I went into school every afternoon for a year to help out when my youngest child was in year 1. Before I moved to Grove I was a member of one of the main political parties and have canvassed on their behalf. I've also campaigned to have Grove Station re-opened, including writing to the then Minister for Transport, John Prescott. I've spoken out on local radio in support of various things and have also made a point of keeping the July Floods in people's minds, because the heartache doesn't end when the rain stops and the media disappears.
Things that I have mentioned about the local council in respect of the flooding, are comments made by my neighbours in the aftermath of the floods. I know that they won't speak out, so I've done it for them, and will continue to do so.
You say
"Despite all this, you seem to be totally ungrateful for the fact that
councils like the Vale and the CC have offered help to residents which is
way beyond their call of duty."
Kindly point out where I've said that I'm not grateful for help from the Vale and County. Again, I think you'll find I haven't said anything of the kind, though I have voiced my appreciation for the grant given not just from the Vale, but also from the local Co-Op and the Bishop of Oxford. I'm not sure what help the CC has offered to residents of Grove specifically, maybe you could let me know what they've done for us.
I would also like to say, again, how grateful I am to Bill Melotti, Councillor for Wantage, who helped us remove our carpet when we were really struggling to get rid of the stench in our house so that we could return home as a family. And I'm grateful to our MP, Ed Vaizey, for visiting my home again in November so he could see the dire conditions we were living in - he was shocked at what he saw. Vale Councillors and our MP came to visit the flooded houses several times. The Parish Councillors did not visit, at least my street, and it's not just me that is angry about that. It was the main topic of conversation in the early days after the flood, that the local group of people who we had voted in to act on our behalf, couldn't even be bothered to pay a quick visit to even offer their commiseration. Again, this is the thoughts of my neighbours as well as myself. What I am trying to do is to make the PC see that many of us feel let down by their lack of support. The Vale has readily acknowledged that they learnt a lot from their initial mistakes after the flood, it would be nice if the PC could admit the same.
If my home is ever flooded again, I couldn't give a toss whether or not the PC come to visit, because I know how things work now. But back in July 2007 we were all in shock, scared, worried, and wanted some guidance and support - both physical and pyschological. The letter that the PC wrote to the Grove Parish Newsletter after the flood was nothing other than excuses for their lack of action on the day of the flood, and it angered a great number of people.
You know what, I will shut up now, but only because I've got better things to do with my time than try to make you understand where I'm coming from, as it's obvious to me that we'll never agree. But that's the beauty of our society - I have as much right to make my comments public as you do. So, maybe you should take your own advice ;)
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
