Coastal View & Moor News Issue 19 Your Points Of View


The Editor wishes to point out that this page only contains the views of readers and are not necessarily the views of Coastal View.


Redcar disabled Dear Editor,


Re: local campaigner for the disabled brands councillors’ behaviour “shameful”. The claims made about the response of Lib Dem Councillors to Cllr Dr Tristan Learoyd’s speech, alleging to champion the plight of the disabled, are ludicrous. I can assure readers that neither I nor any other Lib Dem councillors would ever dream of ‘laughing at the disabled’. Our priority is to work, where possible, collectively with all parties in order to achieve the best for our Borough and residents, whatever their background, physical capability, race, religion etc. Sadly, Cllr Dr Tristan Learoyd routinely commandeers the Council’s agenda to peddle his irrelevant, national, party political attacks with such hysterical vehemence and acute exaggeration - the effect is laughable. He seems vastly more interested in making personal assaults on the opposition than he is in working collectively in the interests of the Borough.


This may appear to be petty, party squabbling but the allegations against the Lib Dem group are very serious and undermine the principles we value most. Let’s move forward from this chronic back-biting; there is far too much at stake in the Borough to keep wasting time and energy on this nonsense.


Cllr Josh Mason Dear Sir,


It has come to my attention that a leafl et on behalf of the Labour Party in the Newcomen Ward, Redcar, refers to Liberal Democrat councillors “laughing at the plight of Redcar disabled”. I am disgusted at Labour’s totally unfounded allegation. I can assure people with disabilities in Redcar that neither I nor any of my fellow councillors behaved in such a manner. Joyce Benbow, who was Lib Dem councillor for West Dyke with me until her recent retirement, is a wheelchair user. Coatham Lib Dem councillor Irene Curr is partially sighted. My father was in a wheelchair for the last ten years of his life. All of us have disabled friends, family members or colleagues and we all represent disabled people in our council wards. We would never dream of laughing at their situation.


Sadly such comments as this are not worthy of anyone wishing to represent local people, and indeed are not worthy of any decent person.


Yours sincerely Councillor Mary Ovens


Extremism Dear Editor,


In the last three months both leaders of the Conservative and Lib Dem group have sought to label me an extremist, while supporters of the defeated Lib Dem candidates in Marske continue to throw personal insults.


If one was to ask what the common feature of a politician was it would be that they “lie”. However, anyone who seeks to keep their pre-election promises is labelled an “extremist” or a “quitter” by people who would regard themselves as moderates. It is noticeable how those who throw personal insults at people who keep their promises are often tainted with misjudgment. I refer to the fi elding of the Islamophobic Lib Dem candidate in a by-election in Redcar, in particular. Apparently, a man who suggests that topless bars should be opened next to a place of religious worship, or spreads lies about people from the ethnic minorities not selling poppies in the run up to Remembrance Day, is a man of the community. Yet that dreaded councillor who sticks to their guns - sacrifi ces their job and then their cabinet position - to keep their pre-election promises and social values is the real bad guy.


The sad news for the supposed moderates who would prefer councillors that post racism and/or write negativity and/or stifl e people’s life chances, is that I will remain to represent those of honest faith and true values with notable others even if doing so is to our own personal detriment.


Cllr Dr Tristan Learoyd Marske


Cabinet resignation


Dear Steve & Lynne Cllr Dr Tristan Learoyd appears to be good at resigning.


He resigned his position at Sunderland University on the pretext it was as a protest against increasing student fees. He has now resigned his position on Redcar & Cleveland Council Cabinet – Health & Social Care, on the pretext that his position became untenable in relation to fi nancial cuts.


Both of these positions appear to have a degree of responsibility and if Dr Tristan objects to some issues then surely he would ‘best fi ght’ his position/opposition to these issues by remaining in post and democratically arguing against them.


We want to hear


Your Points of ViewSend your letters to us by email to: editor@coastalviewandmoornews.co.uk


Perhaps Dr Tristan Learoyd cannot accept responsibility and use it wisely. It would seem this is the situation.


Perhaps Cllr Learoyd should resign from his position as councillor so that we may have an elected person willing to accept responsibility and deal with issues in a democratic way and who could offer positive opinions for alternative cuts and not just criticize others.


M. Waller Marske


The good, the bad & the ugly


GOOD - Firstly let me congratulate the Council for ensuring the public toilets (particularly in Saltburn) were open during the Christmas period when the area came alive with dog-walkers, joggers and those just enjoying the mild weather. On Boxing Day it was a joy to behold seeing so many people out & about enjoying what nature provides in this area and with car parks and other facilities seemingly very busy. BAD - Why when the Council has to make so many cuts to save money, did we have Christmas tree lights left on all through daylight hours? The Council had again done a good job providing each community with a tree and lights, but it then sends out the wrong message when waste is so obvious. Surely in this day and age a simple timer or photo-cell could have been used to restrict lights to come on from say 4pm - midnight? UGLY – The Councils’ website ‘Contact


us’ Enquiries & Feedback form which has to be printed off and sent by post. Enough to put off anyone I should think. Surely a simple e.mail box for ‘comments’ could be provided?


Barrie Pell Liverton


Thank you Dear Coastal View,


I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the fantastic coverage and news and advertisements you have given to the East Cleveland area. I know that’s what this free newspaper is for and what I am saying is that you are doing a brilliant job for one and all.


The coverage we as a community group have been given has given people in other areas an insight as to what is going on in Lingdale and other surrounding areas, we loved the Christmas issue and the Festival Trilogy for Lingdale on page 19 issue 18. Thanks again for being there for us and everyone else, when other reporters have not turned up we know we can rely on you to be there with bells on. Here’s hoping that we have plenty of good news in 2012 and wishing you all the very best for the future.


Paula Miller Secretary


Lingdale Liftoff Scandalous


Dear Editor, In reply to Cllr Carling’s letter in which he said “it cannot be a coincidence in the last years of the Labour Government we had three of the biggest scandals taking place”, I have a simply reply: “Yes it can be”. The points he made are too ridiculous to reply to, especially as he seems to ignore how correlation does not imply causation; put simply, just because two things happen at the same time does not mean one thing causes the other.


Joe Anderson A question of ability


Once again we have the usual smokescreen going out from Labour to hide their failings. I am worried by the mind set of anyone who would even suggest that Liberal Democrats would laugh at Disability. The political make up of council members means we do have our own distinct values and beliefs but I cannot see anyone from any party behaving in that way. I served in the Police for over 30 years and often have had help others cope with death and serious injury. Along with other members of the emergency and health service the words compassion and kindness were the values we all shared. Nobody was laughing in the council


chamber, it was real anger. We had a highly paid Cabinet Member giving an abusive tirade on what was happening in Westminster but refusing to answer questions on the concerns of local people. The dreadful state this country has found itself in after the banking collapse meant that any government would have had to do the same thing or go bust. The cabinet member knew of the fi nancial restraints when he took the well paid post and of the important and diffi culty decisions that would be required. Having taken the money to now say I don’t want the job anymore says it all.


Councillor Mike Carling


Neesams Photography Guisborough


Story Book Weddings & Family Portraits


Highly recommended www.neesams.co.uk


Tel: 01287- 632128 email: info@neesams.co.uk


27


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48