A Journalistic No-Show

You know, I think —THINK — a bunch of us have happily been mugged off, today … !

By none over than your local paper, the Brentwood Gazette.

Hmmm …

Which is sort of a shame, as we had something of a turn-out, for the expected photo-call, today.

Including both of the Liberal Democrat councillors for the area, Karen Chilvers and Nigel Clarke …

And Brentwood’s Lib-Dem leader, David Kendall, as well: he’s told me that the RELEVANT person on Essex County Council about any fire hazard issues with …

I’m assuming Health and Safety, as well, David … ?

AHEM!! … The Relevant person is Councillor Barry Aspinell:º whose email address is here, by the way.

Something else that Councillor Kendall was able to confirm was that — as expected — the plans call for 70 flats, with 40 underground parking places.

And — not including the car-park — this little lot’s going to be seven stories high.

Two floors short of the Premier Inn hotel in the area: in what’s the old Amstrad building.

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At any rate, what kind of makes the Gazette reporter’s* non-appearance is all the more frustrating by an email I’d gotten from Brentwood West’s sole Tory councillor, Joan Holmes, who’d mailed me to let me know she couldn’t make it, due to a prior engagement.

It seems, though, that Councillor Holmes had found out about the issue, by being interviewed by a young woman called Sophie, from … the Brentwood Weekly News!

And as it turns out, Sophie had picked up on the story, after reading a blog written by some complete loon in Rollason Way … !

Eeeeee, the sheer power of modern technology, eh?

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Either way, the fact that the Gazettes team didn’t turn up, today, is a bit frustrating: I know that Councillor Chilvers and co were frantically taking pictures, of us assembled hordes, today.

Photos that I believe Councillor Chilvers will be passing on to them, as and when they do run their story.

Speaking personally, though … ?

I’m just a touch disappointed.

After all, the Gazette aren’t shy about publishing letters from the towns residents, as and when needed.

Shame they couldn’t’ve turned up in person, to do it themselves.

After all, I’m sure the Weekly News or Recorder would’ve jumped at the chance …

* Although I’m not sure which reporter, I’m assuming it would’ve been Piers Meyler, who’d emailed me about this, earlier in the week.

º Who’s ALSO on Brentwood Council, as well.