This of course is symptomatic of the paranoid reaction of not only Members of the Council but also Officers to any criticism at all. There is a deeply held belief that "we are right and everyone else is wrong and are being political" See comments on Biggles Blogspot and here Of course Tories have always reacted sharply to any suggestion that they are less than perfect so maybe we should step back and consider their past at TDC.
Depending on your memory some of you will remember 'The Fake Sheik Affair', maybe the Chairman of Finance who was printing his own money,,the Milkbottle advertising scandal,,,the pontoon fiasco,, these are just a few of the troubles that have beset Thanet Council over the years, there have always been the nudge,nudge, wink, wink allegations of scandal and corruption,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
If only there had been a Standards Board back then,,,,,,,
Interestingly Dave Green's wife Elizabeth also a local Councillor sits on the local Standards Board.......
25 comments:
What is worrying is how "Biggles" is handling this on the "alternative newspaper". He is allowing Tory Councillor Wells to make comments about this referral to the Standards Board, and allowing him to make jibes about Councillor Green, yet is blocking other posts on the subject. He has now imposed comment moderation again, not because of bad language or defamatory behaviour but simply because he wants to control the debate and prevent any criticism of the Tories.
I have placed posts suggesting that Wells should not comment whilst the referral was being considered (the "sub judice" principle). I also pointed out that whilst Biggles often chastises readers for "political obsession" he seems to be content to allow Wells to use Thanet Life for overt electioneering (this related to some very recent posts from Wells).
I also picked up Wells's remark that he is "looking forward to working with James Maskell [on TDC]" and commented that Maskell must presumably fight and win an election first before Wells can "look forward...".
All blocked. I think that this, and the other current headline story about Revolution Park and the actions of Ezekiel, Spencer, and Bayford must be really rattling the Tories and Biggles. Otherwise why would they be so desperate to kill debate?
In response to the comment you posted but say didnt appear, you're right. I would have to fight and win an election first.
Its no secret that I would like to be elected for that ward. I expect a tough contest next year though Im optimistic about my chances.
Well I would very much hope, Mr Maskell, that you will keep your campaigning to the doorstep and to media that can be covered in your Election Expenses return. Your Party colleague, Mr Wells, appears to be using Biggles's site to campaign now.
Sadly, that seems to be allowed. Challenges or questions to him are not, with Biggles claiming, inaccurately and wildly, that they represent "political obsession" and abuse. For Biggles, continuing Tory Party propaganda, and TDC spin, is fine; anything else is obsessive and abusive.
And we are all still waiting for the full account of what is fast becoming "Revolutiongate" for your Party colleagues. They must have had long enough to cook up the cover story by now.
About the comments that havent been posted, only he can be the judge of what is abusive or whatever. There have been very horrible messages posted on the site in the past.
I think blogs should be used to hold Councillors and other politicians to account, especially in the run up to elections. Otherwise its no wonder why the public complain about not knowing who the politicians are. The people should know everything about these candidates before they vote. Blogs have the opportunity to do this.
Then I hope, Mr Maskell, you will lend your weight to calling Councillors Ezekiel, Spencer and Bayford to account over their actions and behaviour at the TCDT Board.
Of course it is for Biggles to make the decisions about posts - it is his site. But, and it's a big but, he is using the "behaviour/abuse" card against anyone whose comments do not gel with his views. It has nothing to do with intemperate commentating. That is unacceptable.
We dont know exactly what the messages are saying as we arent able to read them. Ive caught a couple of those messages before Simon deleted them and he was right to delete them.
As for the Revolution Skatepark, I dont know the whole story, so I cant take sides on it. My weight, as it were, is the same as any other member of the public.
There is no suggestion of anyone "taking sides" over Revolution, Mr Maskell. You have said on here and in response to Councillor Green on Thanet Life that you feel Councillors should be called to account. That is a worthy sentiment.
There are questions that need to be put to Councillors Ezekiel, Bayford and Spencer about what they have, or have not said, at TCDT Board meetings. They need to account for themselves. Why will you not lend your weight to pressing them to do so?
I can take no responsibility for Dr Moores actions. For the record, I have met him twice, once when interviewed for Thanet Life. once at the Winter Gardens regarding Turner when he shamelessly used the occasion to advertise his blog (in my view). Given he flies around a lot I suspect he is richer than me so if he is reading this and wants to sponsor my election campaign, or childrens or retirement fund perhaps he could get in touch.
I have trie3d to answer all your questions to the limit of my knowledge and ability, given the role I am playing in bringing the parties together. Can I suggest you either take advantage of the leaders offer to meet and answer questions, or use the council facility for public questions at the council meeting on 21st September, to him or me or whoever, when you can personally ask questions given in advance at the start of the council meeting.
Generally, your active imagination leads you down the road of consideable conspiracy theory when in reality there is more cock up I suspect.
I can work with James in Salmestone wether he is elected or not - as I already do.
There you go....
Chris Wells
Wells's ego get bigger every day! I must remind the thrice regected unfortunate that questions at Council aree reserved for Cabinet, the Chief eecutive and Committee Chairs. he has of course been dropped from any role by his so called colleagues.
never mind, the next rejection will be the final one.
I stand corrected then. You can still ask your questions to the responsible cabinet members etc if one so well informed about council matters is willing to come out from behind their anonymous tag....
Chris Wells
One of the greatest problems of being "Anonymous", Councillor Wells, is the difficulty distinguishing between those who use the same title. The last post - so to speak - was not mine. From here on, I shall call myself "Labour Supporter" to ease recognition. If I reflected the reactions I've prompted on Thanet Life, I should go for "Old Socialist", but that doesn't appeal.
In all the exchanges about Revolution, I've made it clear that I have no preconception about what has gone on. I have pressed you, and asked Mr Moores to press Councillor Ezekiel, simply to answer questions about what the TDC representatives said or did at the TCDT Board about the rent increase. I said more than once that it may well just have been a cock-up - to use your term. I also said it may not even be that. My point throughout has been that the questions need answering, so that we KNOW. Given the silence on the issue, I further suggested that perhaps there could be more behind this.
My personal presumption, for what it's worth, is that the three Councillors have "cocked this up", and have been embarrassed by the strong public reaction to a decision they accidentally or otherwise supported. I do not have the sort of mind-set that opts for the conspiracy theory, and do not see evil in someone just because they happen to hold views that I do not share. That distinguishes me from Mr Moores.
It seems to me there are a few possible explanations. POSSIBLY the "Thanet Three" failed to attend relevant meetings of the TCDT Board and did not pick up on the planned rent increase - not good when they are nominated representatives, but undertandable given the demands on Councillors' time. POSSIBLY they attended but missed the point in any discussions and just "went with the flow" - not good as it doesn't make them look very competent. POSSIBLY they understood the point but thought the rent increase sounded OK - bad, not least because of what your Leader (at least) has now said publicly about the increase and the impact on the Park; it would make him a hypocrite. All of this might be cleared up by a scrutiny of the TCDT Board minutes - if they are publicly available - but that shouldn't be necessary. Your colleagues should simply make a full statement about their actions. That is all I am saying and have been saying.
My (profound)difficulty with Mr Moores is that day in day out he headlines examples of poor administration on the part of the(Labour) Government; he "publishes" items that are negative about and hostile to Labour; he encourages debate about these stories; he BLOCKS debate about poor administration on the part of the (Tory) TDC, especially if there seems to be a real "story" as in the case of Revolution; he BLOCKS any serious criticisms of or challenges to you and other Tory Councillors; he accuses those who press these issues of political obsession and abusive behaviour and bars them from his site.
I have no problem with his Tory bias - that is life and politics - but if he deploys it, he should not go so far in his rejection of opposing views. He should not keep pushing the ludicrous argument that those who express those views are "politically obsessed" when that same obsession, but targetted differently, runs throughout all he says and does. He should certainly not spread half-truths or worse about his reasons for barring individuals from his site. And he should not scream that he's been insulted and wounded when he dishes out some pretty obnoxious insults to his "enemies" in full public gaze.
In your case, I reacted, on his site, to your inappropriate comments - now withdrawn - about Councillor Green. I criticised you for (shamelessly, I have to say) electioneering on the site. You came back, fine. We have different views. But I was not abusive or offensive, certainly no more than you had been. Why then, should your comments remain and mine be removed? THAT is my problem with Mr Moores and the APPARENT protectionist approach he adopts to Thanet Tories. You can call that conspiracy theory if you like. I would say it is fact.
I know you are not responsible for the Moores site, but perhaps this explanation goes a little way to cover the views and suspicions that can build from the behaviour that is adopted there.
LABOUR SUPPORTER
The author of this weblog knows very well that he was warned to to use abusive or derisory language or personal comments on ThanetLife or he would be "switched-off".
He persisted in his obsessive behaviour and his comments were withdrawn. End of story!
OK Mr Moores, as ever your response says so much about you. Thank you for such visible and public confirmation of the worst.
Ooops, forgot to sign myself off. In doing so, I'll add Mr Moores that as you crave publicity and self-glorificiation, clearly the worst outcome for you is being ignored. I think starving you of the oxygen of (additional) publicity is probably the best way to treat you.
LABOUR SUPPORTER
I feel inclined not to wade into this debate, but really these attacks on thanets favourite autocratic aviator and genius are pointless.
For one, its his blog, two he is a tory, and does what he likes with his blog, Me I am inclined, not to ever, delete comments unless, they are likly to get me into some sort of hot water. Unlike some of thanets blogs at least, right or wrong he attaches his name to his blog.
Finally its quite ironic that this particular strand results from that great politician Deputy Dawg John Prescott, who until I read this debate, thought might just screw the staff,but not the British Public I have been enlightened.
Back on topic maybe councillor Dave Green ought to get on to britains favourate bungleing womenising Deputy, and point out how labour has once again pushed back the barriers of free speech only in the wrong direction towards facist dictatorship.
May I ask the thrice rejected and often corrected Well why he is personally behind the "gagging" of revolution but against others using anonymous?
Another example of Tories thinking they are above all others.. "do as we say, not as we do."
Strange that Mr Maskell has gone uncustomarily quiet when faced with the challenge to live by the standards he boasts and call his prospective colleagues to account. Some good amunition when he appears on the hustings.
Sorry...forgot to sign that last one again...
LABOUR SUPPORTER
I agree with some, though not all, of your comments and thoughts, Mr Flaig. In any event, as I've said, best not to give Biggles further publicity. He's not especially relevant to the real issues here.
Labour supporter, Its hard to post when you are unable to get to a computer...
Hold the Councillors to account for what? The Revolution skatepark? As I said on this thread before, I dont know the full facts so what purpose would holding Councillors to account over it be?
Ive criticised both Tory and Labour Councillors on Thanet Life previously and I still do so. That said, I wont just criticise for the sake of it because certain people have a grudge with the Council and want a pound of flesh from it. Ill criticse if theres a proper case, but if there isnt one, then its simply trouble making.
I am sorry Mr Maskell, but you found your way to a computer to post comments on another site offering criticisms of the Government and the Chancellor, so...
You say that you believe Councillors should account for themselves. You clearly do not extend that to those who will be your seniors and leaders if you win next year. I realise you don't want to rock the boat for yourself, but don't try and dress up this self-protection and apparent hypocrisy with anything respectable. It doesn't work.
The Revolution issue is simple. Have Ezekiel, Spencer and Bayford cocked things up. Surely we all have a right to know how competent the Tory ruling Party is? You certainly should. One can only speculate as to why you don't.
Anonymous said...
I am sorry Mr Maskell, but you found your way to a computer to post comments on another site offering criticisms of the Government and the Chancellor, so...
You say that you believe Councillors should account for themselves. You clearly do not extend that to those who will be your seniors and leaders if you win next year. I realise you don't want to rock the boat for yourself, but don't try and dress up this self-protection and apparent hypocrisy with anything respectable. It doesn't work.
The Revolution issue is simple. Have Ezekiel, Spencer and Bayford cocked things up. Surely we all have a right to know how competent the Tory ruling Party is? You certainly should. One can only speculate as to why you don't.
-------------------------
I work all day Saturday and Sunday mornings, thus why Im not able to spend time responding to peoples comments. My weekend as it were is Monday and Tuesday... Dont take it so personally that I dont respond to you.
As for me treating the other Conservatives softly or with kid gloves, you must be a recent reader of ThanetLife because if you look at the discussion over the age/appropriateness of Councillors I ended up in an argument with Cllr Wise over whether age was a problem in relation to representing constituents. I oppose the Westwood Estate and object strongly to what David Cameron is doing to the Conservatives and proposing that the Conservatives should do in Government. Anyone who has met me knows I am not someone who just tags along blindly. Im as likely as anyone to moan about how things are going in Thanet.
I dont think the Revolution is a simple issue. The papers might make it seem like a simple issue, but I doubt it is. Id prefer to know what the actual facts are before commenting...
Damn it! Ignore the first half of the message. Its a copy of the previous message.
Being a fictional character is very easy when you hide behind anonymity and throw jibes at others. Bloggers like Tony Flaig and others at least have the courage to use their own own names but in this case you clearly don't and therefore shouldn't be offended by anything that might be written about you, as you are, after all, a figment of your own imagination!
I hope you feel better for having shared that with us, Mr Moores. Have a good week, and happy flying.
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