| Author |
Message |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 March, 2005 - 07:39 pm: | |
How about a heated debate about the upcoming election for the Forest Hill ward.
For info the councillors are: Erica Ballman (Lab), Phillip Peake (Lib Dem) and Raymond Squires (Con).
My opinion is that the incumbent Labour candidate has nothing to be complacent about. The headline of the Labour newsletter was about denying rumours put about by the Lib Dems about closing Forest Hill pools. Is that the best you can do?
Frankly, yes, because the centre of Forest Hill is a mess. The area around the railway shed/station is a litter strewn bombsite, which is an embarrassment. If this the result of years of Labour administration, then its nothing to crow about.
Les. |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 March, 2005 - 07:40 pm: | |
Incidently, I'm a usually a Labour supporter! |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 March, 2005 - 07:43 pm: | |
David Whiting - if you are still visiting this site, perhaps you could explain why you nominated Erica? |
Danny
Joined 06-01-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 March, 2005 - 09:00 pm: | |
I would vote for Girls Aloud if they woz candidates. The ginger one would get things done if she woz an MP. Chill though mate. |
Jack
Joined 16-11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, 04 March, 2005 - 07:54 am: | |
You make some good points, Les, but describing the area around the railway shed/station as a litter strewn bombsite is a bit OTT, don't you think? Granted, it ain't pretty but you have to be careful of what you say on this site through fear of it being hijacked by the 'forest hill is full of muggers and beggars' brigade. I'm half expecting the usual suspects to service now and agree with your comment, with added tales of shootings, muggings, drug deals etc. |
Adam
Joined 08-01-2003
| | Posted on Friday, 04 March, 2005 - 09:48 am: | |
As I understand it, the area around the station has been widely discussed with the parties concerned, Southern railway, Network Rail and Lewisham etc. Have you ever raised your concerns with the council or councillors Les they should know a lot more about it than you or I, I guess?
As for the Lib Dems, well, they claim they sent a letter to the Mayor about the early years and library? funny as no such letter was ever received. Scare tactics to win votes. All I can say is FH is getting better, not because people sitting on their bums but because of a proactive council team.
Just look at how many roads had pot holes and needed resurfacing, now these roads are so much better.
Rome wasn't built in a day! |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Friday, 04 March, 2005 - 01:00 pm: | |
Adam - wide discussion with a net result of no action.
The impression is that if Southern could get away with any less effort they would. A wooden shack of a station, no shelter on most of the platforms, an eyesore of a bridge.
For the revenue Southern get (estimate it for yourself) from one of the busiest south london station, its a disgrace. You wouldn't stand for it from any other retailer, so why stand for it from Southern?
The area around the station is very poor, especially on the East side. It's unacceptable - not even in Rome!
Perhaps the Libdems will bring some more energy to the process of improvement, although they appear a wash out at national level.
Les. |
Newman
Joined 05-01-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 04 March, 2005 - 01:00 pm: | |
Then again, Adam, Dave has raised his concerns on a number of occasions with the council re. the posh estate's lack of a pub. Have they done anything about it? Nope, all they've done is tell him to stop being lazy and walk the extra five minutes to FH where there are plenty of places to buy a pint of foaming veggie beer. They sort out the pot holes, but they don't address the real issues - such as reopening the MPT and making it an offence to incite hatred against closet headmasters and Evening Standard readers. |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 04 March, 2005 - 03:14 pm: | |
I don't think it is healthy for the council to be overwhelmingly dominated by one party and I hope that Forest Hill will return a Lib Dem so that the council is better held to account.
I agree we do have a relatively good council compared to some of our neighbours, but I know they could do even better if they were properly challenged. |
Adam
Joined 08-01-2003
| | Posted on Friday, 04 March, 2005 - 03:39 pm: | |
Having also lived in Surrey Quays, under Southwark a Lib Dem council, I was neither impressed nor amused at their lack of action on a whole host of subjects. They failed on many many occasions to collect our communal refuse on the planned days (A service we had to pay extra for on top of the high council tax) during the summer the stench was that of a landfill site. Their reply? If you want us to come out at the weekend then you will have to pay even more. Despite it being their fault they didn't come out on the Friday. Another matter 'street furniture' as they call it was smashed by a stolen car and the car dumped. The Police removed the car for forensics but the council even failed to make safe the electricity supply and the angle of the lamppost. The councils reply? Tell us who did it and we will investigate with a view to repairing but no guarantee. Simply mad and stupid. Why they couldn't eliminate the supply to it, put some barriers around it or remove it I don't know.
Anyone who saw the Channel 4 Dispatches programme last night would have also seen how the Southwark Lib Dem Council and contractors APCOA set targets for parking attendants (PA's) to issue a high quantity of tickets on a daily basis. Proving all along that parking tickets = revenue, not the free flowing of traffic in the borough.
Now back in SE23, I'm just pleased that when Wednesday morning comes I can be sure that my bin will be collected for no extra levy. It's also good if you call the enviro call centre to get action.
I will agree with you that Southern are damn awful and pressure needs to be constantly put on them to get action done. Lets remember before Southern it was Connex who were as useful as a chocolate fireguard. They had no intension of doing anything apart from creaming profit off customers without regard to the consequences. My only fear with Southern is that because there are issues with their licence, i.e. how long they will be allowed to continue. Remember the original licence was awarded to Connex in 1996 for 15 years but this was slashed to 10 years because of poor performance, after one bailout by the Strategic Rail Authority they continued to ask for more but were declined. Their licence was then revoked. Much criticism was aimed at them and the privatisation of our key services and there was a lobby to bring them back in house. In 2006 the former Connex licence now run by Southern is up for renewal, and as I understand it, it will be decided if the Go Ahead Group t/a Southern Rail will be allowed to continue. No doubt if their plans are granted they will have to satisfy local and national Government and further prove funding to things like stations, not just the painting of lamp posts and new green station signs.
Admittedly at first glance the Lib Dems give a good talk, but having seen them in action they would do nothing for Forest Hill, its residents and amenities. I can see through their spin and tactics and never hope they ever have anything to do with the area. As you say Les they are a wash out at national level, and they are at local level too. |
Selardoor
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 04 March, 2005 - 11:22 pm: | |
The Libdem chap made me wonder about one of his tactics because of his flyer that was pushed through my door.
The reason for wonderment...
- He was photographed in front of the Sainsburys redevelopment.
- There was an attached article about the redevelopment that had no mention of his involvement.
Because there was no link between the article and his photo it puzzled me why it was there?
I wondered if he was claiming credit as part of the redevelopment?
I grimaced at the thought that he might have been claiming false credit.
If that Libdem Chap reads this then I wonder if he might enlighten me as to what it meant to me? |
Adam
Joined 08-01-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, 05 March, 2005 - 02:19 pm: | |
He wasn't involved in it anymore than you or I was! He doesn't serve on the council, its planning committee nor have I seen him lobbying the local elected councillors via the papers or through any of the previous lib-dem leaflets.
Talk about jumping on the band wagon. Praise where praise is due, and that is to Dave Whiting, Cllr Wise and the recently deceased Cllr Peter Dawson. These are the people in our community who have been fighting for it. Not some Lib Dem who might shop in Sainsburys now and again. |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, 06 March, 2005 - 09:04 pm: | |
I think its reasonable. I didn't the flyer, but I guess it doesn't claim any credit. It's a pic in front of an item of local interest. The guy does live in FH after all. |
Adam
Joined 08-01-2003
| | Posted on Monday, 07 March, 2005 - 09:49 pm: | |
Les it would seem your original post is the target of Labour action as we speak, have a look at your 'Red Rose' that should have been put through your door already or in the coming days! |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Monday, 07 March, 2005 - 10:49 pm: | |
Gosh, that sounds fun. I await my Red Rose with interest!
Les. |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 17 March, 2005 - 10:25 am: | |
Just a reminder to vote in today's by-election if you live in the Forest Hill ward. |
Fhbod
Joined 18-03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, 19 March, 2005 - 05:44 pm: | |
Who actually won then? I haven't heard anything yet. I couldn't get back in time to vote unfortunately. Usually vote Labour but was a bit put off by something they put through the door the other day. I guess I should check the council website or something. |
Selardoor
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, 19 March, 2005 - 07:00 pm: | |
Fhbod,
Michael kindly posted the following in the thread called "Dont forget to vote tomorrow!" -
'For those of you wanting to know the election result from yesterday:
Philip Peake - Lib Dem - 1011 (elected)
Labour 789
Conservative 522
MAJORITY: 222
Lib Dem gain from Labour.
(source http://lewishamlibdems.org.uk/doublewin.htm )'
This thread also has a thank you note from Cllr Philip Peake.
Well done to everyone who took part in the election! |
Fhbod
Joined 18-03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, 19 March, 2005 - 09:35 pm: | |
Sorry, should have spotted that myself. Thanks Selardoor. I can't say I'm altogether surprised at the result. Hope this Peake bloke doesn't disappear until the next election like other councillors seem to do. |
Councillorsusanwise
Joined 20-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 22 March, 2005 - 07:05 pm: | |
Councillor Dave Whiting and myself would like to thank all who supported us and Labour in the recent by election. We also offer our congratulations to Philip on his election and look forward to hearing his comments on how Lib Dem boroughs are successfully dealing with important issues |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 23 March, 2005 - 10:43 am: | |
Ho ho...think that is what they call a barbed compliment Ms Wise.
Like keeping the council tax down, you mean?
We all look forward to hearing when the council is going to pull its finger out and deliver some real change for Forest Hill, or you too can look forward to living without your allowances come the next election, I guess. |
Selardoor
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 23 March, 2005 - 02:16 pm: | |
I wonder if that was really Cllr Susan Wise?
Is username 'Councillorsusanwise' actually Cllr Susan Wise or someone pulling a trick?
The 'Congratulations' message by username 'Councillorsusanwise', with it's crude sting in the tail, is one of those things that make me go Hmmmmmmmmmm. |
Webmaster
Joined 01-01-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, 23 March, 2005 - 02:27 pm: | |
All three councillors using the forum are genuine. |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 24 March, 2005 - 12:56 pm: | |
I am sure Cllr Wise is being genuine about wanting to learn from the many well run Lib Dem councils across the country. This is what the council is for, listening and discussing important local issues.
We would not want to see cheap political point scoring by local politicians in our forum. But maybe we should be less cynical about what our councillors say, and refrain from barbed comments aimed at them. |
Doc
Joined 23-02-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 24 March, 2005 - 05:34 pm: | |
I agree with Michael. Cllr Wise´s message sounds perfectly reasonable to me. |
Selardoor
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 24 March, 2005 - 10:18 pm: | |
Michael and Doc,
Your perception of Cllr Susan Wise's comments is welcomed.
I believe it is specious, for Cllr. Wise, to post a message like the one above, which has quite clearly had the opposite effect with at least two of us, don't you think? |
Fhbod
Joined 18-03-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 27 March, 2005 - 10:52 am: | |
I'm not sure that I'm interested in "other Lib Dem boroughs"; I'm more interested in what's happening in this borough. In particular, around Forest Hill and Sydenham.
Does anyone know what type of flats are being built in the Sainsbury's extension, for example. Is it social housing or luxury apartments or what? Maybe I should start a new thread. |
