Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
I voted for the Screen and then I went and told Sue why,because I believe that I should vote for anything that will make Dover vibrant again,I did say that I thought Sue had made some valid points,but we shouldn't turn down anything because it is anti-social.If there is a problem then it is a Police problem and the Police should deal with it.
As far as being a Cllr and educated is concerned,well I went to a Secondary School but that should have nothing to do with it,funnily enough Pauline Leith the Cllr who asked me to stand was a Labour Town District and County Councillor when I was 23 in Sandwich,her Son Simon is now a Conservative District Councillor and he went to the same School as me,I represent the People in my Ward and I suspect that they would rather have someone who works hard and does his best that someone who had a degree and did nothing.
I am able to talk to anyone on most subjects,yes I specialise on somethings and that could make me an expert,say on Travel,but guess what I cannot be our rep on Transport because I work for the Railways,that is what make Council work so intresting? because we come from a wide range of social economic and varied background.But that doesn't make anyone an ideal candidate,what does is having a passion for hard work,and getting involved.
Sue you forgot my friend Doctor Linda Keen who sits next to me in Council.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
back to the main point.
marek points out the wonderful fun that can be enjoyed on a sunday in deal and folkestone.
further up the coast ramsgate is even better.
i am told that the local traders are against any local market similar to folkestone and are similarly opposed to the odd flea market on the seafront.
i wonder how many dover residents go to folkestone, deal or ramsgate on a sunday for something to do?
i went down the sea front this morning and came back through an empty market square on a beautiful sunny day.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
sad isnt it a nice day nothing to see or do.unless you count counting the pissheads as a sport.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Interesting one John..
which prompts me to bang on a bit further about the suitability of some people for the task.
A few years ago, several now I suppose, on a previous incarnation of this forum, there was a discussion on the main council elections. At the time there was a Labour administration under Peter Wells in control.
I remember that the Conservative ploy at the time and I think it was originally voiced by our very own media star Roger W when he said that the Labour administration had been useless because between them they hadnt got an ounce of previous business experience or business acumen...so as a consequence had accomplished nothing. The Tories on the other hand had considerably better business experience. He was naturally enough backed up by the other forumite Tories.
Indeed that point rammed home to the wider populace and people began to wonder if it was indeed true. The Conservatives of course won that election, Peter Wells even lost his seat, and these Conservatives have been in control ever since under the guiding hand of Paul Watkins.
But...has it made a discernable difference. Have the Tories been any better. Have they been able to put this "vastly better business experience" to use. Do you see a difference in the High St??
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Thats probably the reason why Dover id dead and the two towns either side of Dover are flourishing at the weekends.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
It is probably a lottery whether, at any one time, Labour or Conservative councillors have the most business experience between them.
I do remember the era of Peter Wells and his hapless sidekick, Simon Bannister, because the lights were going out all over Dover. The public were summoned to a crisis meeting at the Town Hall, it was like being in Hitler's bunker in the final days as the bombers circled overhead and the air raid sirens wailed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/news/stories/200210/17/dover_cutbacks.shtml
They had completely run out of money and were closing things down right left and centre. They had closed the White Cliffs Experience and the Dover Town Gaol and were debating what to close next. The Market Square fountain was to be turned off, CCTV downgraded, and there was a hit list of public conveniences to be boarded up.
You always know a council is on the way out when they want to close the bogs. Linda Cufley in Shepway went down the pan the same way a bit later on. To be fair, there is a very interesting explanation of the background to this at:
http://www.dymchurchonline.com/parish_council/preston.php?year=2004howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
that meeting was at the town hall soon after i moved here.
a real cringeworthy evening, they had hired a bloke dressed as a mississippi card shark to oversee the proceedings.
thankfully the fountain was saved the suggestion was to replace it with a piece of "public art".
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
ED
I was part of that cabinet and have to say embarrassed by that Town hall meeting and made it clear to both P Wells and S Bannister.
and rest of group.
Sadly PWells is not well so I won't say any more on that one.
I'v been on here before makimng it clear the councils no matter what political colour are run by the officers because cllrs cant commit the time.
That hasn't changed over the time of the councils, and I don't blame the officers they are there all the time cllrs are not, and the officers fill the vacuum.
Dover is not alone, all councils the same, I raised this many times and couldn't believe some of the replies, like, "well i aint committing the time iv a full time job"
Officers should be there to implement cllrs decisions,
I do wonder looking around the council if this is reflected just take one the planning dept(just picking one not singling out 1)
I argued for so long as did many other cllrs on how they were putting obstacles in way of progress , looking at why things can t happen , rather than why they can
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Howard,
I arranged to meet someone by the fountain last week, alas, it has been replaced by a piece of "Public Art", sooner have the Fountain
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
Shame that louts keep damaging it like the soap suds cost was £10,000 each time
ruined the internal workings.
Shame realy fountain is great for market square, and widely visited when in place
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
gary
that eyesore will come down any day now and the fountain will show it's full glory.
visitors love it and always remark on it.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Thats good news, thought it had gone forever. I did notice a few cars parking at bank, not good for area, not careful drivers either.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
gary
that is all that market square is noted for at present, speeding drivers cutting across the pedestrian bit to get to the bank.
the pedestrian bit from market square through the town should be just that, no traffic.
did you have any other thoughts on your foray into dover town centre, sometimes it is easier to spot problems when visiting, rather than living there.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
The fountain is certainly a bonus for Dover when it is working, as the tourists who visit Dover are always taking pictures by the fountain with the castle as a backdrop.
Looking forward to its return in full flowing glory
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Howard,
I am no expert and this is just my opinion, this has probably been mentioned before, but here goes, I have been a frequent visitor to Dover working there for many years. I think your biggest problem is your split between town and seafront. Deal Folkestone, Ramsgate etc all have town centres with seafronts, harbours that locals and visitors use in the same outing. I don't think this happens in Dover, for two reasons. One is traffic is directed from either end, straight through limekiln/ townwall, and out the other side. and I am sorry but that is not a pretty route for any potential visitors, I know there are access roads and signs to seafront/town centre, but not inviting enough to make people stop and explore, for example people coming into Deal from Dover, have to drive up onto our seafront, cafes, pier shops pubs amusements shellfish stores all on display. I don't think even your own locals or visitors to your town centre, do both. They go shopping then go home or they go to the seafront and go home. In Deal many locals and visitors visit seafront then the shops as well, or visa versa. The Market Square could be a vibrant place with investment and hard work and should be the Hub of Dover. The big TV could be the starting place for this change to happen and should be seized not lost. Roger is going down the right road; more Dover people should support him. I tend to agree with Paul that at the moment Roger needs to choose his carrots wisely, but support him don't criticize him, get together and you will make it work.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i cannot disagree with any of that gary, when i moved here all the damage had been done.
there is a cut off point between the town and the seafront, the underpass from bench street to the front is depressing.
you point out that the attractions of deal are all together, that is one of the things i like about deal.
they do not have the natural attractions of cliffs,castle and hills but look after their buildings so much better.
good to see that you can envisage the big screen as a starting point to livening up the hub of market square.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
I agree with Gary too, I think he hits the nail right on the head and I hadn't thought of things that way before. Maybe when this new land bridge is built it will make that difference i think but will it be in our lifetime? I hope so.
Will be interesting to see what effect the big screen will make to Market Square. I must admit I've got no feelings either way on that one but I would think it will improve and make popular what now seems to be a rather dull area of town.
Another thought I had was maybe we could have more frequent French markets on the seafront - or any other type of market for that matter. Surely that would bring people to the area more? Really there are lots of things that could happen along there, specially in the Summer. Another thing of course would be what Paul has said so many times, better and more colourful lighting along the prom and pier.
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
jacqui
the people that i have spoken to say much the same as you about the screen, most have no strong feelings but feel it would liven up that part of town, also driving the idiots away.
the problem about the lights and markets on the seafront, is that dover harbour board hold sway, and do not appear very interested.
it does seem a total waste of our lovely promenade, that more use is not made of it.
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
According to the DDC newsletter in the link below, the state-of-the-art landbridge will be built at the same time as the spectacular iconic tower and a commercial development similar to Gun Wharf Quays in Portsmouth.
http://www.dover.gov.uk/dover_district_news/autumn2007/worldclassfuture.asp
This will accompany the building of an entire new ferry port in the Western Docks and a new marina in the harbour. Wellington Dock will become a freshwater reservoir nestling amongst residential towers and few will have any difficulty visualising it in the form shown below, somewhere to keep our cabin cruisers and superyachts at last, thank goodness.
Another DDC brochure shows the seafront lined with palm trees so French markets attending from St.Tropez should feel at home. Cable cars will criss-cross the gleaming new DTIZ development and bluebirds will dip and soar in the azure heavens above.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
and pigs might fly.
