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at the same time. What about school clubs and homework clubs?We are not talking about a great time difference and would it not benefit the bus services to have a staggered service, so as to avoid distress for our children who are trying to get on an overfilled bus due to demand? This would be like trying to get on the London Underground during busy rush hour times. The system works. I do not feel that the


bus company has a right to complain and why should parents challenge the schools? Perhaps they are looking at their profit margins and trying to disguise it as caring about the children'swelfare. Mychildren do not rely on a bus service


but I regularly drive past a chaotic bus stop filled up by one school on a daily basis. Jo Cates, by email


Bus boss’s eye on profit


Dear Sir – I fundamentally disagree with Norman Kemp’s assertion that all schools should finish at the same time. The only logic behind his claim appears to be increased profit for himself. Varying school times ease some of the congestion on our roads and availability of car parking spaces – especially where there are several educational establishments in one area, such as the Oakwood Park complex, or the area around Maidstone Girls Grammar School, Maplesden Noakes and Brunswick House Primary School. Julia Ba, Charlton Street, Fant


Electric cars the future


Dear Sir – I read your story about the proposal for power points for electric Tesla cars in Eclipse Park, near M20 Junction 7, with interest. I ama Tesla S driver living just around the


corner from Mr Ellis in Newenden Close, Vinters Park, from where I run a chauffeur company, Airports 24-7. In fact, the company I work with has 34 of


these fantastic cars based in Strood but covering journeys from the whole of Kent. It specialises in airport transfers butwe do also run a Tesla rental service: the very first in the UKand with the very first licensed fully electric supercar. The charging points are supplied and installed by Tesla themselves so at no cost to anyone. Tesla also promises to give free electric to all its car drivers. This would obviously be very beneficial to


myself and the company, but the whole point of the charging points is to aract drivers of Teslas to come to the area and charge their vehicles, which takes 45 minutes, giving a range of about 300 miles on the car. During this charging time people will be


in the area shopping at places such as the new Next superstore, due to open very soon. With the M20 a stone’s throw away, this is an ideal place to install the chargers. Also, let's not forget that they could be a massive benefit in the future. Ifwewant to protect the natural environment this would be away for Maidstone Council to show that it cares about our future. David Bradford, Newenden Close, Vinters Park


Communication problems Dear Sir – I agree with Dennis Fowle (Mail


Marks) about the superb facilities at TunbridgeWells Hospital, in Pembury, but they have a serious communication problem caused by the facilities. Mywife spent threeweeks in Pembury in


2012 in an en-suite room with helpful friendly staff who responded promptly to calls for help – but unfortunately Iwas unable to find whatwas wrong with her. Nursing staffwere busy dealing with patients in their rooms so no onewas available to talk to. Iwas reduced to standing in the corridor and grabbing a passing nurse or doctor to ask questions – which they usually could not answer as they were in a hurry dealing with a patient. I only once talked to a doctor after admission, who toowas in a hurry dealing with another patient. Mywifewas discharged after threeweeks


but I still had no idea of her problem, except that it involved a stomach operation, nor of the possibility of a pulmonary embolism from which she died suddenly three days later. Itwas a traumatic, unexpected experience for us. I did report the problem via PALS, who admied the problem, but I have never had a further response. In Maidstone Hospital there is always someone to talk to on the wards. Nelson Bowker, Kingswood


Don’t ignore Lib Dems


Dear Sir – Aempts by the Downs Mail to downplay the Liberal Democrat challenge to Helen Grant would be comical if theywere not so misleading. So Jasper Gerard, objectively the only candidate who can beatMP Helen Grant, is presented in your coverage almost as an afterthought. Meanwhile fringe candidates unlikely to muster more than a handful of votes are given huge prominence.At the last general election the Lib Dems received 36% of the


Jasper Gerard


vote in the constituency, coming a close second. Nextwas Labour in third place on just under 10%. Ukip hardly even registered and still don't have a single councillor in the constituency. In Maidstone and theWeald the party


which came out on top by a clear 10% in May’s local electionswas the Lib Dems. Since then they have beaten the Conservatives in the previously safe Tory council seat of Staplehurst. With Jasper Gerard working full time in


the constituency for two and a half years it would be refreshing if the Downs Mail recognised his commitment and chances. The Downs Mail enjoyed a hard-fought reputation for thoroughness and fairness. It would be a great shame if itwere to sacrifice public trust purely because of an inexplicable admiration for Mrs Grant. BWGodding, East Farleigh


Mr Godding, the article you are referring to appeared in October (Election candidates announced) as information on the candidates for next May’s vote whom we had not previously covered. Because we had been informing our readers


about Jasper Gerard’s candidacy almost on a monthly basis since February last year, when he was chosen to represent the Lib Dems for


Maidstone and TheWeald, it was deemed unnecessary to go into too much depth about his policies in this article. The same is true of Helen Grant, the Conservative incumbent. Once we are on the eve of the election, we will


invite the main candidates to outline their policies across an even spread of space for each of them. I try to ensure that all of our stories are politically balanced, so I amnot sure which news article(s) you believe highlights an “inexplicable admiration” for Mrs Grant any more than any other politician. It is also worth noting that current national opinion polls suggest Ukip and Labour could be just as dangerous as the Lib Dems in challenging the 5,889 majority Mrs Grant achieved when she first contested the seat in 2010. Response by Stephen


Ukip a serious challenge


Dear Sir –As a Maidstone Ukip supporter I must challengeBWGodding’s leer that Lib Dems offer the only objective candidate who could deprive Conservatives’ Helen Grant of the Maidstone andWeald constituency. I accept the Lib Dems have punched above


their weight in Maidstone local elections, but this is a national election and the relevant evidence is the Lib Dems’ poor showing in May’s European elections for Maidstone. Add to that the Lib Dems’


very dismal current rating in national opinion polls. Ukip came out top in the


local European vote with the Tories second and in theGeneral Election theLib Dems would do very well to come third in Maidstone. This election will be fought on national mani-


Ukip candidate Eddie Powell


festos and won by a party and leader inspiring most public confidence. We know that immi- gration, the EU, taxation, and faith in economic competence will be very big issues. DC Brown, Maidstone – by email.


Keep the election clean


Dear Sir – I agree with Dennis Fowle (Mail Marks) with his plea for a clean General Election in Maidstone and the local area. I think things have improved in the past few


years. Idecided long agonot to vote for any party which tries to profit from personal attacks I think are based on inaccuracies, innuendo or down- right lies. Iwant all parties to campaign on their policies


and hopes. I am a long-standing immigrant to Maidstone and a peace-loving Muslim and find there is so much to test electors just now in our very troubled worldwithout irrelevant nonsense. MrsMPatel, Maidstone, by email


Run London Marathon


HEART ResearchUKhas a number of places available to runners in the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday, April 26. We ask runners to commit to raising a minimum of £1,750 and in exchange offer fundraising ideas and tools such as balloons, posters, aHRUKT-shirt and running vest. To apply go to


heartresearch.org.uk/events/virgin-london- marathon-2015. Faye Keatley, Heart ResearchUK


Maidstone Town December 2014 33


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