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Risborough Conservatives accused of playing politics
CONSERVATIVES were accused of playing politics in a row over parking at Princes Risborough Town Council last night.
The argument was sparked by the three days of free parking that the council is arranging to attract more people to the town in the run up to Christmas.
A Conservative newsletter circulated within Risborough was accused by some councillors of taking credit for the scheme.
Instead, they say, the proposal came from the apolitical town council.
The "intouch" newsletter read:"Your Conservative Councillors have kept up the pressure on Wycombe District Council to provide free parking in the town."
The sheet also contained three photos of "Your Conservative Team," including a picture of town councillor Carl Etholen.
Cllr Gary Hall said last night: "I was quite shocked. I read it and saw how they brought CCTV to the town and free parking. It doesn't make any claims - it just alludes."
He admitted to having some "robust" email exchanges with Cllr Etholen since seeing the newsletter.
In September, Cllr Hall said in a column of the town council's newsletter, Crosstalk, that he himself would raise the issue of free parking, wearing his "district councillor hat."
He said: "We have always fought very hard to keep politics away. As soon as you start bringing politics to the table, you start getting all these silly spats."
Cllr Alan Turner thought the town council should avoid politics. He said: "I do not believe in mixing politics with local government.
"Since 1894, to the best of my knowledge, it has been apolitical, and it's served the community well."
Several councillors reported that the newsletter had prompted people to approach them and question their political standing. And several said that they had been drawn to the council precisely because it was apolitical.
Cllr Etholen defended the newsletter. He said: "I fully agree with the town council that it should be apolitical, but you cannot gag a political party - intouch is a political party flyer.
"We should be apolitical in this room, but with what goes on outside this room, we should be able to express our opinions."
He added that certain other members of the town council had stood under "political banners" in the past.
The town council has agreed to discuss its political status further at future meetings.
7:43pm Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Wycombe is High on..., High Wycombe, Bucks on 9:56pm Wed 26 Mar 08
[quote]Editor reigns in the rain
By Steve Cohen
EDITOR Steve Cohen braved the elements and his fear of technology to give a dozen ladies a talk on the internet this evening.
Steve gave a live demonstration of how to upload stories directly to this website when he spoke to the National Women's Register of Beaconsfield.
But his talk almost came a cropper before it even began when he lost himself in the rain on the way to Wattleton Road in Beaconsfield.
"You know why that happened. It's because all the street lights have been switched off to save the county council money," said Register member Lesley Hainsby.
Members also posed for a photograph on Steve's mobile phone which he attempted to upload next to this story.
"The proof of whether that worked or not will come if and when you see the picture," he said.
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This is the latest in a series of talks he is giving on the Bucks Free Press' upload system which is called Martini[/quote]
Why is it that you can comment on a non-story like this and yet can't comment on the story above it (quoted)
Editor reigns in the rain
By Steve Cohen
EDITOR Steve Cohen braved the elements and his fear of technology to give a dozen ladies a talk on the internet this evening.
Steve gave a live demonstration of how to upload stories directly to this website when he spoke to the National Women's Register of Beaconsfield.
But his talk almost came a cropper before it even began when he lost himself in the rain on the way to Wattleton Road in Beaconsfield.
"You know why that happened. It's because all the street lights have been switched off to save the county council money," said Register member Lesley Hainsby.
Members also posed for a photograph on Steve's mobile phone which he attempted to upload next to this story.
"The proof of whether that worked or not will come if and when you see the picture," he said.
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This is the latest in a series of talks he is giving on the Bucks Free Press' upload system which is called Martini
Why is it that you can comment on a non-story like this and yet can't comment on the story above it (quoted)
Posted by: Wycombe is High on..., High Wycombe, Bucks on 10:01pm Wed 26 Mar 08
It's alright I've sussed it out. Apparently it's all about freedom of speech.
Thankfully, it's nothing to do with people commenting on the editor of this mewspaper not being able to do any of the jobs that his staff do...
It's alright I've sussed it out. Apparently it's all about freedom of speech.
Thankfully, it's nothing to do with people commenting on the editor of this mewspaper not being able to do any of the jobs that his staff do...
Posted by: HWMAN, High Wycombe on 9:31am Thu 27 Mar 08
I am sure Cllr Hall, knows the Troies for what they are. They try to take the credit for the good ideas. And put the blame else where when things go wrong or people don't like it. In the HW ward I live in. The local Tory Councillors in the one and ONLY newssheet they have ever put out since 2003. Claimed credit for a Zebra Crossing (as they have done nothing else). It was in fact down to the Residents Assocation and a prenious Labout County Councillor. I have to say. I like the idea that Politics should not been used in Town Council meetings. I hope the same will apply in HW if we ever get a Town Council.
I am sure Cllr Hall, knows the Troies for what they are. They try to take the credit for the good ideas. And put the blame else where when things go wrong or people don't like it. In the HW ward I live in. The local Tory Councillors in the one and ONLY newssheet they have ever put out since 2003. Claimed credit for a Zebra Crossing (as they have done nothing else). It was in fact down to the Residents Assocation and a prenious Labout County Councillor. I have to say. I like the idea that Politics should not been used in Town Council meetings. I hope the same will apply in HW if we ever get a Town Council.
Posted by: sherry tucker on 4:21pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Grow up and stop wasting our bloody money on stupid petty arguments between yourselves if you cant show unity how the hell do you expect people to take any of you seriously
Grow up and stop wasting our bloody money on stupid petty arguments between yourselves if you cant show unity how the hell do you expect people to take any of you seriously
Posted by: Tardis, Princes Risborough, Bucks on 6:56pm Thu 27 Mar 08
I wonder what would happen to councillors caught telling fibs in Saudi Arabia...
I wonder what would happen to councillors caught telling fibs in Saudi Arabia...
Posted by: Town Cryer, Wycombe on 5:59pm Sat 29 Mar 08
Good on you Cllr Hall--Typical tories they attempt to take the credit for anything and everything.
Love the independance of a town council
Im waiting for the Wycombe Torys to stop playing politics and let the people of Wycombe create a none political Town Council so we can have a VOICE OF WYCOMBE
Good on you Cllr Hall--Typical tories they attempt to take the credit for anything and everything.
Love the independance of a town council
Im waiting for the Wycombe Torys to stop playing politics and let the people of Wycombe create a none political Town Council so we can have a VOICE OF WYCOMBE
Posted by: Town Cryer, Wycombe on 6:03pm Sat 29 Mar 08
Bloody hell just recieved a Tory in Touch leaflet in wycombe -- what a load of lies,back patting and slagging off blaming Government and other parties .
Bloody hell just recieved a Tory in Touch leaflet in wycombe -- what a load of lies,back patting and slagging off blaming Government and other parties .
Posted by: Bert, Risborough on 11:24pm Thu 10 Apr 08
This is the same Gary Hall who stood for election for the Labour Party at previous elections
This is the same Gary Hall who stood for election for the Labour Party at previous elections
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