Amazing message from leader of Dartford council

[brighton_rebel]

I'm writing an article about Dartford getting their own ground after 14 years in exile for the next programme - and just got this inspiring message from the leader of their council.

Thought someone might want to use it if they are writing to the papers/councillors, as I think living in Brighton my view doesn't count as much.

 

"Hi. Interested to read your post.

 

I'm the leader of Dartford Council and I certainly wish you well in your attempts to persuade the Council to support you. One of the keys is to unlock Members' thinking into the community and regeneration benefits that can emerge from closer links with football.

 

Everyday, councils throw bucketloads of money at schemes to deal with anti-social behaviour, childhood obesity, community cohesion, civic pride and community relations. Here in Dartford, we took the view that rather than fund a series of expensive here today- gone tomorrow initiatives, we would invest in football as a catalyst for all those things.

 

I'm sure every Council thinks they are doing things right, but I've never regretted or doubted the wisdom of our investment in a new Stadium. You simply cannot put a price on the sense of pride and worth that is developing around the town as a result of The Darts coming home. Princes Park will not only become a centre of spectator sport, but also as a participatory one too - for kids of all ages. I have told the club that the MUST bring kids in and encourage school sports finals and training to take place on the first pitch.

 

My other advice to Members is 'invest in quality'. We could have built a typical 'iron and block' stadium but what does that say about us? What confidence does it give others if WE won't invest in great architecture? How can we expect people to respect the building if it doesn't deserve respect?

 

I know that many Council's feel that they 'can't' do this, and 'can't' do that. and if we had stopped every time somebody had said that our dream was impossible then we wouldn't have got beyond advertising for an architect. Leadership is about legacies, not bureaucracy, and when I'm dead and gone they will bury me with a smile on my face because I know we have provided a facility that will makes tens of thousands of people happy every year.

 

Good luck. I wish you had more Tories on the Council because, in my experience, we tend to have a bit more courage whenit comes to big projects but I suppose you would expect me to say that!

 

Slough deserves a good home for its football and I sincerely hope you can persuade Councillors to go for it. In the last year, we've opened the best Judo facility in Europe (confirmed by the BJA who are moving their Olympic squad in) and supported sports from cricket and rugby through to carpet bowls. We've had enormous fun on the way and as far as this leader is concerned, creating great opportunities for community sport is EXACTLY what we should be doing. Forget casinos, Forget Business Parks, Forget Shopping Centres (the Private Sector will take care of itself) - it's getting kids introduces to the discipline, pleasure, rigours and routine of sport that matters.

 

Show me a kid that participates in, or follows team sport and I'll show you a good kid.

 

good luck.

 

Jeremy. Leader of Dartford Council and Dartford Supporter."

[HorshamRebel]

Good letter.

 

Would it be a good idea to poll other councils to get their views on our situation, and how they have helped their community ?

 

It might be good ammunition : peer pressure.

[BFR]

Certainly could be useful to badger Dexter Smith with, given the comments made about Tories having a bit more courage. He's usually too busy make the roads worse by installing dodgy chicanes or painting bad lines on roundabouts to look at the bigger picture. Perhaps this message can get the bloke to realise that lying in the same bed as BILLD is not a healthy place to be

[GarySTFC]

I think the key to that entire message is summed up in the very last two words.

[mal316]

What, Dartford Supporter?

[GarySTFC]

Yes Mal, well done.

 

I can hardly see Stokes & Co attaching that to anything they put.

[mal316]

It's been a slow morning!!

[Guest]

How on Earth did such a positive minded bloke get to be leader of a council????

 

Have to say it was a breath of fresh air reading that, and STFC really do need to emphasise the fact that any ground would be a facility to be used by the youngsters of the borough as much as possible, with as few restrictions as possible, and more importantly MEAN IT!!

[Guest]

dear all, we have been stating community comunity in all what we have asked for ...this was stated in our election leaflet...

 

we will continued to do so....

 

i promise you... cheers chris s <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Pagey]

I'm gobsmacked at that letter, it makes so much sense I can't see how it could had been written by a politician

 

Hope you have a great season as long as you finish below us

[Frankie100]

Dont worry Andy, you know and I know Ezekiel in Thanet is the archetype politician. Lies to be elected and looks after his expenses before the needs and wishes of the people he is meant to represent.