Why can't we have politicians like this

[Pagey]

I lifted this from the slough site

 

 

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."

[GEEBEE]

BLOODY HELL THATS A FIRST?

[Cookie]

Excellent post other than to say he's a Tory. However a good post,even from one of them. Maybe there are humans,down to earth people, amongst them after all.I particuarly like the "Forget Buisness Parks,Forget Shopping Centres".Now that that IS a first from ANY party particuarly a Tory party leader.Mind you maybe they run their council properly & dont overspend recklessly.

Are you read the above Mr.Sandy?(I know you're looking in)

Thanks loads for starting me off Andy! l.o.l.

[seasidesteve]

i really dont think he can read cookie and i bet he buys the sunday sport for the pictures

[Frankie100]

Or just looks forward to get his payment slip from Thanet Council Finance Dept to see how much money his makes out of the ratepayers.

[I am Spartacus]

Some of you have obviously never lived in Dartford!

They like to put roads through public parks in town centres!

 

[Cookie]

Well here they prefer to put newly created town centres through parks with no roads at all. l.o.l.

[jkmaskell]

Frankie, Cllr Ezekiel gets a 17k allowance as Leader of TDC. The Councillor allowances is in the public domain. I doubt very much he reads this forum, let alone attend a game...

[Boney Crisp]

I doubt he bothers to get out of bed every day as it does look as if that he does not care about Thanet.

[Cookie]

Of course he reads it.Well he used to when we were all at loggerheads with him so whats to stop him doing so just in case he misses something. Remember we still havent got the green light as far as I know.

[jkmaskell]

If he does then Im sure Im not the only one who'd like to see what he thinks about Margate's season...Im sure you'd all be more forgiving of him if he is a fan of Margate, and takes a real interest in the team? That is to attend some games, not just read the Gazette and the Thanet Times and just regurgitate it.

 

If Cllr Ezekiel is reading this, perhaps he';d like to join in with the forum? Of course, if he does so, I hope the fans will be reasonable with him and keep it to football matters and not make this an internet version of happy slapping...

[Cookie]

How do we know he dosent already post James?

[jkmaskell]

Now thats a thought, cookie!

[Frankie100]

Ezekiel does not support Margate as in the Gazette he admitted he likes two teams. Thanet Wanderers and that other local club......Spurs (just proves he knows nothing about football)

He earns £17,000 as Council Leader(for doing what??????) PLUS all the other allowences he is handed as a councillor totally about £30,000.

And the average earnings in the Thanet area are what??? about £12,000.

Remember that £30K is a secondary PART TIME JOB which he does not do very well if at all.