Today I received a phone call from Gwynedd Council's Dilys Phillips (Head of Administration) stating that she was concerned about the comments made by Sean Goddard on the Prison Article.
In it Sean raised a few questions about corruption and even though he did not name names, suggested that certain officials had acted incorrectly.
It seems that Sean is not entitled to his opinion as I was asked kindly if it could be removed.
I have, (in the best interest of everyone) removed his comment, and have contacted him by email to let him know.
I do however have some reservations about the whole matter as it seems to infringe Sean's freedom of speech.
At Caernarfon Online we try to put in favourable articles about some of the good work Gwynedd Council carries out and will endeavour to continue to do this. But surely a member of the public can also have his voice heard and express an opinion?
Sean can also be seen on our video about the prison expressing his opinion.
I maintain that all has not be revealed to the public in the prison issue and this only makes me feel that there is more to this than meets the eye.
For the record, I did not agree with all that Sean had to say, but I respect his right to be allowed to say it. He pointed the finger at the council in general - he did not name anyone!
Over to you.
2 comments:
Oh dear, touched a nerve did I? Ha ha ha!
Well, it had to be said and so I did, and I STILL stand by my comments that if the officers in Gwynedd Council had nothing to hide, they wouldn't have responded in the way they did (if the cap fits wear it) so they won't mind me referring the matter to the Ethics and Standards in Public life Committee now will they? AND, whilst we are on that subject, What happened to free and democratic speech, or perhaps that has now gone in this day and age, eh my comrade councilors. Not yet, it hasn't, not yet.
Further to other comments on the COL website, I find it appalling that the people of Caernarfon had the prison "foisted" on them as this is the area from which the fewest objections were lodged, erm well THAT would be because we weren't TOLD about it until it was practically too late. I must refer THIS matter to the the Governmental Practices Committee to ensure that the correct processes were and timescales were followed for public consultation thus ensuring that Gwynedd Council hasn't broken the law, I think I can also find a few more legal and procedural points that I can keep them busy running around worrying about but I won't mention them here.
Now don't get me wrong, I've nothing against ANYONE who works for Gwynedd Council, or indeed any local council at all, what I DO take objection to is the blatant contempt for the local people by it's authority as evidenced by this and many other decisions which are "made" on our behalf often without the proper consultation. They really DO seem to think they are better than us!!
Too many times, questionable decisions have been made which just "look bad", or "smell" in some way, and it's no coincidence that the land at Doc Fictoria was sold for a pound (£1) or that planning permission for so many “Caernarfon bashing” development get the go-ahead. It may well be that I am wrong and that all was perfectly innocent and above board but somehow, and going from past experience or small towns, I have MY doubts. By that I mean that those guilty of wrong-doing will stick together and hide their actions very carefully. "The truth will out" as they say and I would suggest that those who are, and they KNOW who they are, guilty of wrong doing, watch their backs VERY carefully from now on. “Give a man enough rope” and all that.
For those of you who might like to write with any suspicions you might have about "dodgy dealings" by ANY local or public authority the address is; Clerk of the Public Administration Select Committee, Committee Office, First Floor, 7 Millbank,House of Commons, London SW1P 3JA. The telephone number for general inquiries is 020 7219 3284; the Committee’s email address is pubadmincom@parliament.uk. DO IT......NOW!!
Excellent post!
The council have run Caernarfon into the ground for decades now. They are out of touch with the modern world. The monstrosity they built in the centre, the flats by the docks (which are still empty by accounts?) and complete lack of funding simply serves to make Caernarfon a laughing stock.
This town has SO much going for it. You have the sea and the mountains on the doorstep which is ripe for tourism 100% of the year, But no, the council seeks to put their money in pointless schemes. Wasn't the statue of Lloyd George moved recently for quite a lot of money? Ridiculous.
I say oust the whole lot of them and replace with people in touch with the modern world.
Oh, and as for the prison. How about the council ASKS people whether they want it? Do they know what a democracy actually is? let me put forward some words that were laid down a few hundred years ago.
"A government OF the people, BY the people, FOR the people". Also, let me quote a section from a rather famous document the founding fathers of America put down in the declaration of independence;
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness"
Fantastic words.
I think, for now, I shall leave it with that.
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