JUNE 4 is the date when Colefordians and Forester have the opportunity to vote in a candidate who will truly represent the interests of Coleford at county level in the European and Local Government elections. It is an opportunity to elect somebody who does not put his or her own self-interest or ego first.
Coleford has been badly let down by the present incumbent, County Cllr Peter Chamberlain, and to quote Hazel Blears he has shown a 'lamentable failure' to listen and respond to the local population. His legacy of promoting the Community Enterprise Centre highlights this attitude. The so-called new community centre which is widely unpopular, is no more than an office block, and will serve little purpose other than to add to the ever-growing list of vacant office space in our area.
I note that vying for Chamberlain's seat is former Labour stalwart and now converted Tory, Terry Hale. In 2007, he 'dumped' the Labour Party to ensure he was elected to the District Council.
Terry of course chaired the Forest of Dean car parking charges committee, which turned into a total fiasco, and cost the ratepayers £25k. This money could have been used to continue to promote tourism or other services in the district. If he had simply asked any Forester he would have clearly heard the word 'no.'
Coleford is badly suffering from business closures, lack of new investment, unemployment and a severe loss of trade – how would imposing car-parking charges have improved the situation? Thank goodness for Alan Preest who has strongly opposed this unpopular move, but which is still very much on the Tory district council's agenda.
Cllr Hale has also aligned himself to the Community Enterprise project, which represented his ability to jump on board what he thought was the 'next big thing' and a for certain vote winner! A reluctance to listen must be a commonalty amongst some elected councillors, simply because they do not understand the word 'no.'
It is perfectly clear that Cllr Hale has no idea what Coleford wants.
Of the candidates contesting the vacant Coleford seat, voters could do worse than select Mike Meredith-Edwards, whose views on local and national issues have been prominent in your paper for many years. He has many years of experience at all levels and is not aligned to any major political party.
He would seem to represent Coleford's best chance of stopping the rot and promoting new and innovative projects which can regenerate the town.
Dr Daphne Pearson, as your readers know, has her finger on the political pulse in the Forest of Dean district. She has often raised or highlighted issues, which she strongly believes are and have been to the detriment of the Forest of Dean. Unfortunately, she is not standing – what a wonderful county councillor she would make.
President Obama showed the way of communicating clearly, his policies and visions for USA through many Q&A sessions. As a matter of course all potential county councillor candidates should be available to attend such a session.
I challenge all the candidates to set up a public debate on their visions and aspirations for Coleford's future prior to June 4 – will the silence be deafening?
These types of forums help electors to gauge and make an informed decision, on the person who they feel would best represent their interests.
Coleford will get the county councillor it deserves, but only by voters getting out and voting on June 4. The alternative to this is that we probably will suffer another four years of dire representation in Shire Hall.
Coleford counts. – John Cooke, Coleford.