There Goes The Neighbourhood …

Did I ever tell you I live in Brentwood … ?   In Essex … ?

I live in Brentwood: in Essex.

So you know.

And, again, so you know, I live on a street called Rollason Way: named after local girl, and sports journalist, Helen Rollason.

The street’s some seven or eight years old, now: and a mix of socially housed tenants, like me, part-buy residents, and private residents.

For many years … ?

For many years, there’s been a patch of ground in Saint James Road that’s not been built on.

Effectively?   Waste ground.

I’ve always taken the view that it should maybe used as extra parking space for locals: there’s really not enough, around here.

OR be used as a small park.

Something like that.

I’ve ALSO felt that building more flats — or offices, shops, what-have-you — shouldn’t be built there.

More shops would add to any congestion in the area.

Offices, likewise.

As would more flats: which would also add to any parking problems.

I went by the patch of found, this afternoon.

To find these signs up.

Hmmm …

~≈∑≈~

Oh, now that’s a Shame …

Seriously, that’s DEFINITELY a shame.

It seems that Councillor Chilvers is now former Councillor Chilvers.

Having been voted out of office by a narrow margin of 10 votes.

Personally … ?

I’m disappointed, I really am.

Brentwood West’s lost a very capable councillor, there.

And frankly … ?

Given that her replacement is a Conservative — and going on Joan Holmes example — I’m not expecting to see hide or hair of him, until the next set of elections.

Frankly … ?

As far as I’m concerned, he may be a councillor …

But he’s not my councillor.

»»•««

Hmmm …

Now, I’ll be frank, here, as well, but — if I were in Ms Chilvers shoes — what to be doing next.

I’ll confess, I don’t know: I suspect she may well be catching up with some sleep.

I know, however, that — from where I’m sitting — I’d be very annoyed at Nick Clegg.

I personally believe that losing such a capable councillor seems to be in line with the Liberal Democrats bad results, overnight.

And personally feel that’s a result of several things.

Which I feel has the fact of the national coalition at its heart.

I also believe that, as things stand at the moment … ?

I feel the ‘Yes To AV’ campaign may be on the brink of losing.

Something that I also think is a shame.

Hmmm …

I’ve got to ask …

If the ‘Yes To AV’ campaign does go under … ?

Will the Deputy Prime Minister be falling on his proverbial sword … ?

Adventures in Local Elections: Oh, and an Email …

You know, I’ll be honest …

I’ll be glad when this local election’s over.

One way or the other … !

But possibly no gladder than Councillor Chilvers: after all, it’s her turn for re-election, this year.

But the reason I say that … ?

Is comparatively simple.

It means that, once the counting’s done, over the weekend, we’ll know one way or the other, whether we’re stuck with the First-Past-The-Post system we’ve had for the past few hundred years.

Or end up with the Alternative Vote system that the Lib-Dems insisted on, as part of the coalition government deal, after last year’s general election.

Hmmm …

Now, I’ll be honest, you’ve probably already guessed I’ve not liked the fact the party I’ve voted for has entered a national coalition, at Westminster.

But, locally, and as I’ve said before … ?

I’m quite happy: Councillor Chilvers has at least knocked on my door, a few times.

Unlike Councillor Holmes, who hasn’t.

And unlike the Labour candidate for Brentwood West.

Whose name, I’ve still not caught.

At any rate, I’ll happily share a secret with you: I’ve voted for Karen. Like I say …

»»•««

But that’s not quite all I meant to tell you …

I’ve been mailing the Gazette, again … !

I’d don’t know if you remember, but a couple of weeks ago, Brentwood’s only Labour councillor, Mike LeSurf, had his photo taken outside Brentwood Town Hall, complete with Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, making a big noise about saving the Town Hall from demolition.

Which is funny …

As, when he vote about it was held, he voted with the Tories, to allow the plans to demolish all or part of it.

I know we expert politicians to be bend the truth a bit, but that’s a bit bendier than usual. wouldn’t you say … ?

I know, Councillor Chilvers sent in a critical letter, only to get an equally critical one from Councillor LeSurf, this week.

Pointing out the year’s of campaigning they’d done.

Well …

One photoshoot with Ed Balls, for the Gazette, and turning up at the High Street with Harriet Harman … ?

Yeah …

At any rate, I sent this in to the Gazette: here’s hoping … !

Dear Sir,

I’ve GOT to admit, I read Councillor Le-Surf’s letter, this week, and damn near fell of my chair, with laughter.

And a certain amount of annoyance, as well.

Now, I’ve followed Brentwood’s council politics for some time.

And I’m as critical as any of the Liberal democrats, nationally, as anyone: and have made my feelings clear to the local Lib-dems whenever they’ve come a-calling. Karen Chilvers will be able to confirm that: we’ve talked about it in person, when she checks her ward.

That, I should add, seems to be year round, rather than just at election time.

The local tories are a lot worse: I’ve never seen on the beat, but at least take time to answer email.

I’m extremely critical of the local Tories for not knocking my door: Councillor Homes will be able to tell you that, as we’ve we’ve discussed it be email.

But anyone who watched the discussion on the Town Hall’s future — as I have — on the council’s own website will tell you one thing.

Councillor LeSurf voted with Conservatives to demolish the Town Hall.

For him to then dig up Ed Balls, in efforts to save the Town Hall … ?

Well …

There’s a term or two that’ll get me sued if I use them of Brentwood’s only Labour councillor.

So lets just say I think he’s a pot calling the kettle black, if he’s accusing someone else of gutter politics …

»»•««

At any rate, another thing, while we’re being political … ?

I’ll ALSO confess that I voted Yes to AV …

Yes, I know I’ve had my doubt’s about that: chief of which was anger at Nick Clegg for going into the Coalition government in the first place.

But …

I didn’t know if you knew it, but Britain’s First-Past-The-Post system means that Brentwood and Ongar MP, Eric Pickles, didn’t actually get elected by a majority of Brentwood and Ongar’s voters.

No.

He’s just the chap who got more votes than anyone else.

The AV system that’s proposed in this referendum means that whoever gets elected has to get at least fifty percent of the vote.

Which is the point that appealed to me … !

An MP has to WORK at it, come election time … !

As did one other point.

David Cameron, Britain’s Prime Minister has made it plain he’ll be voting No to AV.

A couple of his reason’s sort of grabbed me.

One was that he argued that First-Past-The-Post was simpler to understand.

Hmmm …

I’ve not been convinced by that.

After all, for us end-users, it amount’s to put a 1 — or 1, 2, 3 — on a ballot paper, instead of an X.

The other was expense. I’m personally thinking that’ll correct it self, after a few years of using it: it strikes me the initial set-up’s the costly bit.

The third bit … ?

Is that David Cameron’s said, quite a few times over the past few weeks, that he think’s AV isn’t in the nation’s interest.

Which is presumably why his party used it — or a version of it — to elect him, as party leader.

Obviously the UK’s average voter isn’t bright enough to join the Conservatives …

»»•««

Ahem … !

Now …

What else …

Oh, yeah … !

I was also going to tell you about Archie … Remember Archie … ?

Archie’s the Dell C800 sitting behind me as I speak.

I’ve got to admit, I’ve now update him to Xubuntu 11•04, Natty Narwhal, hence the screen shot.

If I make any major changes — or manage to persuade anyone else to try it, beyond Dr Kevin — I’ll let you know …