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downsmail.co.uk


ELECTIONS toMaidstone Borough Council should be held every four years to savemore than £300,000 of tax-payers’money, it has been claimed. Currently, MBC’s 55 members


Aldimanager punched by jobless drug addict


led by the LiberalDemocrats in al- liance with others, although the Tories are numerically superior. Over a four-year term, the coun-


cil could save £320,000, said Cllr Perry. He said that he had obtained


that figure froman official source from within Maidstone Borough Council.


Climate call


employees to park closer to the store’s entrance, as Eberhard had been spotted lurking close to their place of work and he feared for their safety. David Fairest, prosecuting, told


Cllrs John Perry andMichelle Hastie He said: “A third of a million


the court Eberhard had committed a similar offence inBoots, asCCTV footage hadshownEberhardsteal- ing eight Yankee candles in a plas- tic bag, amounting to £158.92. When asked if he stole the can- dles to fund his drug habit, Eber-


‘grudging’ MAIDSTONE Greens have wel- comed the borough council’s agreement to consider a “climate emergency” declaration request. Stuart Jeffery, of Maidstone


Green Party, said: “It is hearten- ing that MBC has agreed to con- sider declaring a climate emergency, in response to our re- quest at a recent councilmeeting, but it is a real shame that they agreed grudgingly. “The climate breakdown has


already started. The best time to act was 30 years ago, the second best time to act is now. Let us hope the council acts soon.”


HE newly-formed Social Demo- cratic Parthy has not ruled out standing candidates inMay’s bor- tor of development and sales. The


Party growing THOUSING


New director at Golding Homes


business as 0-year-old appointed ivo.


Golding Tom


Casey (pictured) as its newdirec- ough council election. Approa4ched by Dojw Maidstone-based housing


oins Mail, the


leader William Clouston claismedso- thce party strength is “strong and


iation fromhomes provider Op- grtowing rapidly” and has not dis- counted targeting seats in Kent.


nce within t e hous ng sector, rehincarnation of


th brheoakaway movement


ng for opportunities joint ventures.


1980s, describes itself as a “red ing Golding’s business and look-


Hewill be respon ible for grow- and blue, centrist political party”


wiith a pro nation-state, Eturoscep- tic outlook.


hr ugh


Tomh s over 12 years’ experi- eThe SDP, which claims to be a aving previouslyworked formhs mes and Amicus Horizon.in


Labour the


local voters saying howtheywant Michelle Hastie – who represents Amystery of again this year onMay 2.


pounds is a lot of money these days.With services stretched and it is simply not cost-effective to have this patchwork of mini elec- tions. “Local elections should be about


client suffered an attention deficit and conduct disorders. He added: “Last year, he had a


disagreementwith hismother and she kicked him out, leaving him homeless. “He was unequipped to deal


with the fundamentals of life. He was going through a downhill spi- ral at the time of these offences.


the council run for the next four years – things like the dog poo everywhere, cleaner streets, a re- lief road, endless housing devel- opments or never-ending traffic jams inMaidstone.” Liberal Democrat councillor


theft and threatening behaviour charges andwas given a 12-month community order, alongwith a 12- month ban from the Aldi store at Langley Park, including interac- tionswith themanager.


Workers quit in post officemove


MAIDSTONE Post Office has been sold to newsagent chainWH Smith,writes Jade Schopman. All staff in the Week Street


branch were replaced by a new team when the sale was com- pleted on February 12. AWH Smith spokesman at the


branch saidwhen PostOffice staff heard about the transfer arrange- ments, all but one decided to leave and not re-apply for their positions. The transfer has followed the


COXHEATH and Hunton will be the battle of the Webbs in the May local elections. Lib Dem Richard Webb, a popular


trend of 73 other branches across the UKmoving to the retailer. Under TUPE regulations, Post


and respected councillor, will face a challenge from Tory Simon Webb, of Hunton. The ward is a top priority for the


Office staffwere offered the same wage by the newowners, but that could change if the store faces any financial problems. Customers have said the Post


Office has been going downhill for some time, branding it a “pretty poor service for a main Post Office in a county town”. One resident said: “I was in


Tories, as Cllr Webb has a majority of just 54. His situation is made more perilous by 765 votes (19%) for Ukip which could leach away to Simon Webb, an executive head of five primary schools, or the Labour Party should the right wing party fail to stand a candidate. Asked what he would campaign


there a few weeks ago and there was one poorwoman on her own


on, Simon (64) said: “Coxheath is seeing a transformation because of


Lib Dem Cllr Richard Webb and Tory challenger Simon Webb, right Webbs head to head


behind the counter, dealing with a very long queue. Two ladies said that they'd been waiting for an hour.” A Post Office spokesman said:


the amount of housing but no co- ordinated transport or traffic plan. “I’ll be asking why the promised roundabout at Murdoch Chase has never gone in. On a wider level, I would scrap yearly elections which are a phenomenal waste of public money and make the polls once


ers are paying for the pointless judi- cial review undertaken by MBC against Kent County Council.” Cllr Webb, a postman, said: “I


“We do notmake changes to post offices lightly, but we do need to make them if we are to ensure that branches like Maidstone re- main at the heart of towns and cities. “We’ve beenworkingwithWH Smith for more th n a decade. In Maidstone, the post officewas al-


operated by the Post Office. The every four years.


management of the post office has no“I would ask how much tax pay-


s Christie


hard said: “No, I gave them away as Christmas presents”. Defending,Manjit Tessi said his


are voted into office in three sepa- rate tranches, with one year left fallowto allowfor county council members to be elected. Most authorities in Kent hold a


AJOBLESS addict punched a su- permarket manager in the face after being challenged for shoplifting, a court heard. Luke Jacob Eberhard (24), of


complete slate of ward election every four years. Tory opposition group leader


John Perry claims Maidstone’s system is inefficient, costly and can result in power yo-yoing be- tween political groupings or coali- tions. The council is led by a coalition


Buckland Hill, flew into a rage after hearing his name mentioned on a securitywalkie-talkie. He became aggressive towards


staff members when challenged and “smashed” manager Bradley Turnbull’s jaw in front of a group of children. Mr Turnbull has since instructed


Things were going from bad to worse for him.” Probation officer Lauren Pack-


ham said: “With Mr Eberhard there is a degree of remorse. He told me of his substance abuse since age 14, where he often used cannabis,MDMAand cocaine. “He developed an addiction to


spice whilst in prison which car- ried on after he left.” Chairman of the bench, Linda


Campin, said: “I think itwould be helpful to have some assistance to get you back on the right path. “I think working closely with


probation could help your situa- tion, and attending rehabilitation activity requirementdayswill help you overcome your drugs issue.” Eberhard pleaded guilty to all


Election 2019 | News


Call for a four-yearly poll Spi�ing lands


northward – said the present sys- tem favoured bringing smaller parties and independents into de- cision-making. She added: “Of course, the To-


man in court HOMELESS Scott Rowatt was ar- rested for allegedly spitting at two police officersunder legislationde- signed to protect 999workers. The incident is said to have hap-


pened on March 4 when Rowatt (19) was apprehended in Leafy Lane,Allington. Hewas chargedwith two counts


ries would be saying this because it is the system that best would best suit them.” Labour’s group leaderMalcolm


McKay said: “We are quite happy with the current arrangement – it aids democracy. “It may seem like an inconven-


ience to have an election three years out of four. But that’s democracy and I am perfectly content with what we have at the moment.” Cllr McKay denied his group


ment.The councildidnot respond. The council goes to the polls


MrP sets out Brexit case


of intending to steal a vehicle and two counts of assaulting emer- gency workers by spitting under theAssaults on EmergencyWork- ersAct,which came into effect last year. It is allegedone constablewas hit


by spittle in his eye and the other was hit on his face and bottomlip during the incident in a car park. Mr Rowatt has been remanded


was in an agreement or coalition with the Liberal Democrats. We approachedMBCfor a com-


in custody and was due to appear atMedwayMagistrates’Court at a later date. Ch Insp RayQuiller, ofKent Po-


lice, said: “It isn’t acceptable forpo- lice to be subjected to any type of assaultwhile they are carrying out their duties to uphold the law.”


MAIDSTONE MP Helen Grant faced constituents for a Brexit briefingwith days to go before the planned withdrawal fromthe Eu- ropeanUnion. About 20 local people turned out to hear Mrs Grant set out the various scenarios faced by the United Kingdom, as the planned departure date of March 29 ap- prHowever, Christie was eventu- nged imp sse


increased the


kelihood of a general election suffering fromamnesia.


During a Q&A, audienc mem- ber Stephen Poole accused PM TheresaMay of stubborn reckless- ness in her negotiations and said she should have resigned.


rmer parish councillor Colin Parr, who t ansferred some of the


wtransferred toWH Smith. “Our customers won’t see any


don’t know if Ukip will be standing but I am hopeful that I can get in again. You have to keep yourself ac- tive and help the people who ask for your help. Yes, I am fairly positive.”


changes in their services and they will still be able to pick up their pensions, buy stamps, collect and return home shopping or access their usual high street bank ac- count, in just the sameway.” The Post Office moved from


Bank Street toWHSmith inWeek Street inAugust 2016.


THE mystery of Agatha Christie features at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone.


The greatest thrillerwriter found


herself at the centre of her own in- vestigation in 1926. Sparking one of the biggest po- lice hunts in history, the author’s crashed carwas discovered in Sur- rey, but without its driver, who was missing, presumed dead by many, for 11 days.


oaches.She warned that a pro laolly foundat a luxury hotel inHar- lriogate,where she claimed shewas being called.


The story is brought to life byLiz


Grand in her one-woman show, Where IsMrsChristie?DidAgatha Christie lie, and if so,why? Tickets for theproductionon Fri- daFyo, Ma ch 22, from 7.30pm, are available for £14.50.


ready withinWH Smith, but was manufacturing side of his business to IKndria aisfter the repy cfelrenodsuurem, said:


“I amsittinghere as a businessman – I still want to trade with Europe and they still want to trade with me.What is stopping us? Politics.”  THE Maidstone and the Weald Conservative Association has seen a 25% increase in members in the past year


caused by, say senior members, the desire to vote for a Prime Minister and MP Helen Grant’s local popularity.


Maidstone April 2019


KRISPY Kreme doughnut outlet, which opened in The Mall in Maidstone last May, has shut be- cause of a lack of trade. Krispy Kreme Tweeted: “We


continually evaluate the perform- ance of our UK stores and as part of thisprocess,we foundthat visits to our Maidstone store were at a lower level than expectedandafter a great deal of consideration we took the decision to close.”


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