Virtual doorstep – IW council elections ’09
Posted by LPH on Friday, 8th May 2009, 12:13
Well the nomination deadline has passed, and with the Lib Dems bit in the paper last week, it would appear that “Northwood & Cowes South” ward will be contested. (Last time around it was uncontested, and the then independent candidate took post unopposed).
Although the exclusivity of the ‘councillor’ title has been watered down locally, will we have a wealth of candidates to choose from? I think we find out on Monday.
So what are the doorstep issues? Maybe if we list them on this forum thread, the responsive candidates may care to respond.
1. Economy – Where do you stand?
2. Council Tax – now that the previous administration’s squirreled away money has been spent, should services be cut, or taxes rise?
3. Dog Mess – Where do you stand?
4. Development – Where should any new development go?
5. Speeding – Is it a problem?
6. Schools – Will we have one?
7. Local facilities?
8. Should Parish Councils merge?
LPH
24 Responses to “Virtual doorstep – IW council elections ’09”
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Village
- - Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
- - Cowes Amateur Winemakers
- - Cowes Heritage
- - Cowes Radar Ex-Employees Association
- - Cowes-Deauville Twinning Association
- - Friends of Northwood Cemetery
- - Friends of Northwood House and Park
- - Medham W.I.
- - Newport Rowing Club
- - Northwood Floral Art Group
- - Northwood Village Produce Association
- - Northwood W.I.
Parish Council
Well done Roger – shows what a good job you do. (What would the count have been if independent?)
Well done to Paul – Excellent Result in Gurnard.
COWES SOUTH AND NORTHWOOD
Roger Mazillius Con 987
Charlotte Witheridge Lib Dem 230
Nicholas Wray Lab 85
COWES WEST AND GURNARD
Paul Fuller Ind 819
Alan Wells Con 649
Fair do’s Obi One but I never take anything for granted and at least you know where I stand on this important issue.
It is also of course important to use your vote.
Best wishes, Roger Mazillius
Hmmmmm… “giving the electorate the opportunity to vote on the issue”
Not quite a referendum is it?
We know Roger’s seat is quite safe by a big majority, even under a blue flag. I’m minded to make a protest vote for the Standards not tiers & Labour guy (Wray).
OB
Thanks PL. As I said at the political husting at The Riverside last week, the change to two tier is not signed off. We made it abundantly clear earlier this year that we would not do so until after the elections. This was reported in all sections of the local media and as far as I am concerned we have never sought to sign this off without giving the electorate the opportunity to vote on the issue.
Most of my local electors are in favour of expanding high performing primary schools to keep pupils there for two more years. Cowes High will be divided into a Lower and an Upper School with the younger (11-14) having their own separate campus at that school.
Good Middle School teachers teaching 9-11 can have a productive and well paid career with better progression to headships in the more numerous primary schools whilst those teaching the 11 to 14 pupils will have similar opportunities in the High Schools.
I am of the opinion, as indeed are my colleagues and professional educationalists that these proposed arrangements, involving only two transitions instead of three and avoiding the splitting of an important Key Stage between two separate schools will far outweigh any short term disadvantages of ending the Middle School part of our Island education system.
I am sorry that we disagree on this. It is perhaps a pity that no other candidate has expressed a view on this subject to our local electorate, although I understand the Lib-Dems are also in favourof the move to two tier.
Best wishes to all, Roger Mazillius
I am not up to speed with the job placement/allocation system within the ruling council of the day but I guess “Independents” dont get many of the “Big Jobs” so I can see better career prospects if an “Independent” councilor does a bit of “flipping” and declares his intention to join a party that has control (at the time) and represent that party in the next election. Surely all “Independents” have personal political views and yes may keep them under cover but I feel to do any job in the “Political” minefield of local government councilors should have an allegiance to a Party Manifesto that has been seen by the people that take the time to vote, or what do you end up with?. I accept you dont always get what is promised in the manifesto but at least you have an idea of the direction you are traveling.
How is it possible to say you have no allegiance to any political party as some Island Candidates state in their latest election handouts, I say to these people, please wake up smell the coffee, local councils are “Political”. unfortunately the world is not run by nice guys, who want to listen to everybody and please all, go to a few meetings in county hall and you will see what I say is true, and before you ask Roger, yes, I have, and its quite pathetic at times.
Sam D.
Call me cynical, but Charlotte’s name appears above as both Witheridge and Witeridge, and both Roger and an earlier anonymous poster both dropped the Dickson from Hose R(h)odes?
Anyway Roger, when you respond to Luke’s new thread, please do clarify the Tories’ position on school reorganisation. Ventnor Blog recently reminded us of Cllr Pugh’s earlier election ultimatum ‘Back us or Sack us’. That message seems to have been dropped recently. Why?
Is a vote for you, a nail in the coffin for our great local middle schools, and a mess for our grandchildren? Does the party line rule?
Anyone in the village seen the 3rd candidate, Mr Wray, who supports retaining the current school organisation?
P Leia
Thanks Sam D. Nice try! I was only trying to be helpful! You say next week – well Friday should reveal all!
Best wishes, Roger Mazillius
In answer to this 1/6 5.42 posting (my previous reply was to the one before), if only enough people would volunteer to stand for the Parish or Town Councils, it would not be necessary for I.W.Councillors to do so. Having said that there is certainly a case for a representative of the I.W.Council to also sit on say Cowes or Newport Town/Parish Councils (as they do) to link to the work of and co-operation between those bodies.
Perhaps Cllr. Lumley is an interesting example of this joint representation.
Food for thought?
Shame you are another anoymous poster – is that good for democracy?
In any event, a spirited exchange of views – just what this site needs during election week.
Surprising the national “snouts in the trough” debacle has not attracted comment.
Best wishes from Roger Mazillius
A Roger quote :- “Perhaps when we do meet we can have a chat about you possibly standing in Ryde in 2013 after you have lived there for the intervening four years and have a detailed knowledge of the local issues actually experienced by you during that time!”
Is this a suggestion to make a not so safe seat a little safer in 2013 ? She may be giving you this option next week!
Sam D.
Thanks. I would take note of your comments if you had the courage to make them in person rather than hide behind anonimity.After all Charlotte seems perfectly capable of answering for herself so I suspect you have political form which if disclosed would put your comments in true perspective.
Apart from that, nit-picking is a subjective test. I am reflecting what is being said locally.
Whilst on the subject of nit-picking I should perhaps remind you that I was elected un-opposed in 2005 without the need to campaign on any political platform. In 1998 I was elected as the Conservative candidate and have never been a member of any other political party.
Sometimes, as I am sure today’s plethora of “Independent” candidates would agree, there are times when it is right to exercise your independence and see if your electorate agrees with you.
See you on polling day or will you be busy voting somewhere else?
Best wishes to all local residents, Roger Mazillius
I don’t get why you worry where the people live on the Island more important to worry who pulls the strings of councilors, the people or the party.
I wonder why IW Ward councilors sit on Parish and town Councils this in my opinion is not good for democracy. The local Parish/Town council should feed back the grass roots independent views to the ward councilor.
Our very own Paul is sitting on Gurnard Parish council, Northwood Parish and standing for Cowes/Gurnard Ward, can he cope with that distance, I think so! I would struggle with the workload but where I lived would not be an issue.
This nit picking you are giving the Lib Dem candidate is quite frankly pathetic. You stood as an Independent in the last elections and were voted in, you then changed your politics and became a Tory. Isn’t that deceiving the people of Northwood. They now have the chance to show their displeasure.
Will you then become an Independent again when it suits you?
Anyone for “Ping Pong” Mr Mazillius(County Press)
Thanks Charlotte. Of course you can be legally elected to any of the electoral divisions provided you are registered to vote on the Island and it has never been said that you could not stand here – only that it is, shall we say, rather disingenuous to appear to be living here when you are in fact living in Ryde.
The Labour candidate quite openly gives his Newport address so it is clear where he is living.
You say the fact that you now live in Ryde “does not affect my ability to react to local residents needs…” yet you cite as one of the main reasons you had to leave Northwood to be nearer your employment the horrendous traffic around St. Marys roundabout and on the route to Ryde. Well that of course works in both directions!
Anyway, I do not wish to go on about this even if I am only echoing voters doorstep views as I do not wish to deter you from your obvious enthusiasm for local government on the Island.
Perhaps when we do meet we can have a chat about you possibly standing in Ryde in 2013 after you have lived there for the intervening four years and have a detailed knowledge of the local issues actually experienced by you during that time!
Best wishes, Roger Mazillius
Thank you for your comments Roger however with all due respect you do not have to live in the village in order to be elected as a local councellor. I notice there is a Labour candidate and he lives in Newport! At least I have lived in the area and know it well.
I in no way set out to deceive anyone and as I previously quoted I had to by law give my current address as the time of nominations and this was in Northwood. My party asked me to stand for Cowes South and Northwood as they knew it was an area I lived in and knew well. I would not have stood for a Ryde area as this is the first time I have ever lived here and do not know the local issues or area in detail.
The fact that I now live in Ryde does not effect my ability to be able to react to local residents needs or my passion for the village.
I am sorry some of the residents feel let down by all this. I just hope that people will vote for the person and not the address!
Thank you for your comments, I had no idea this would have caused such a problem and I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
I look forward to meeting you and I am sure our paths will cross on polling day!
Kindest Regards
Charlotte Witheridge
What a cynical anonymous person you are! You could even be a national politician yourself!
If you had been with me canvassing hundreds of electors in Northwood you would appreciate that this is in fact a real issue. After all local people in the main prefer to be represented by a local person who lives and works amongst them,knows what the local issues are and is readily accessible, sometimes at a moments notice to deal with matters as and when they arise. Finally I suppose detailed local knowledge is rather useful!
I can say this especially from the comments of many electors made to me personally yesterday and today following the County Press article.
Perhaps you are not yourself as politically aware as you would have us assume?
Mind you I have probably not got round to you yet!
Best wishes, Roger Mazillius
Thanks for showing concern that we may feel deceived Roger but I am sure you already realise in today’s Political Debacle we never, or hardly ever take things to seriously from any politician, and thats not just MPs.
I am sure the people that read this site are politically aware and will decide what box to tick, if any, when the time comes.
Thank you Charlotte. I do however have to take issue with you on the timing of your departure from Northwood.
Hose Rhodes say you vacated your tenancy on the weekend of 2nd. May. Presumably you knew at least one month before then that you were leaving and had found your new accomodation in Ryde.
As nominations were not due to close until 7th. May you had ample time to declare your actual campaign address in Ryde.
Talking of campaign, I see in today’s County Press you are quoted as saying that you only moved to Ryde “during the course of the campaign” From the facts above this is very mis-leading as of course the campaign could not start until after nominations were declared valid on 7th. May.
You will understand residents may feel deceived by your attempt to portray yourself as a local candidate until you were tracked down by the County Press a day or two ago, hence I assume your message posted yesterday.
Having said all this Charlotte, may I thank you for at least being the first Lib-Dem candidate to contest Northwood since 1995 and for your honest explanation of why you needed to move from Northwood to Ryde.
May I also wish you the best of luck for your future business and political career and say how pleasing it is to find a younger person prepared to at least let her name go forward as a local government election candidate.
Best wishes, Roger Mazillius
Dear All,
It has been brought to my attention that there has been concern over my recent departure from my Northwood address.
At the time of submission for my standing I was living at 3 Wyatts Close and legally had to submit this address.
As much as I enjoyed living in the beautiful village of Northwood I was forced to move to Ryde for work purposes. I work from home half the week and the other half I have to commute to Portsmouth. I also required a house with a bigger office for my days working at home as an estimator and quantity surveyor. I was also concerned with the horrendous traffic at St Mary’s roundabout whilst travelling to Fishbourne and Ryde for my commute. Traffic is one of my main concerns on the Island and is something I wish to address.
Please do not feel that I have deserted you just because I have moved out of the area. I am a passionate Islander and hope that I will receive your support. I would also like to wish the other candidates the best of luck.
Charlotte Witheridge
I did enjoy the little debate/question time last night despite a very low turnout which seemed to consist almost entirely of 15 union activists.
The press coverage was confined to a CP photographer although it did turn out to be a non event!
Anyway you win some and you lose some. The two hours were “live” on the Ventnor blog which this morning seems to have attracted only three comments. Whether that is because the webcast was excruitiatingly bad or not many people logged on does not really matter a ton of beans -apathy rules, ok?
I was aware the Lib-Dem candidate for Northwood and Cowes South had apparently done a runner. It is a pity that they cannot find a truly local candidate, especially as they have not fought the Division since 1995!
I would however be interested to know whether the 10 residents who signed her nomination paper knew she was about to leave her qualifying address before nominations closed.
In answer to the question, I have certainly been out canvassing and will continue to do so up to 3/6. Remember this also involves canvassing in Cowes South where I have also been out and about. Good job I have good legs!
Coming soon to a home near you! Roger Mazillius
Looks like Roger has been wheeled out for the Tories as an Island mascot, but not found this thread yet.
http://ventnorblog.com/party-candidate-question-time-tonight/
Have any of the three candidates been seen around the village yet?
Does anyone actually know the Lib-Dem Candidate? Her nomination form gives her address as 3 Wyatts Close, Wyatts Lane, yet this is an empty house which is advertised by Hose Rodes to let unfurnished with a picture in the last two weeks County Press and a quoted rent of £625 per month.
Is she fed up with us already!
“Northwoodian”
No. 4 now up-prioritised to No. 1. (See other thread.)
What a good idea the above post is! Although the list may not be an exhaustive one it does set the ball rolling.
Come on potential councilors lets be hearing from you on the topics raised.
Slightly tongue in cheek, do not stand in No.3! As regards the other topics No 7 is a matter of your interpretation of facilities?
The outgoing council have been encouraged by the government to slide certain of the local work down to parish council level, this I believe will be ongoing until we empress on the higher council to withdraw from a process that dumps the onus on to the local precept with all the consequences that evolve from it.
The end result island wide will be massive rises to council tax payers, until there is a review to analyze the costings caused by the duplication and cross over of services created from the unnecessary layers of parish councils.
G R Cotterill Northwood.
Cowes South and Northwood Electoral Division
MAZILLIUS Roger
The Conservative Party Candidate
WITHERIDGE Charlotte
Liberal Democrat
WRAY Nicholas John
The Labour Party Candidate
Candidates listed at http://www.iwight.com/council/election2009/IOWC_StatementOfPersonsNominated.pdf