Practising Positive Politics - The 3 P's!

Posted By: Ted Flynn
Date Posted: 09/03/2007

I have represented the people of Castleton for over 12 years - my colleague Peter Davison has served for almost 7 years - my wife Pat has done 26 years in April.  We've all heard the jokes - "You'd get less for murder etc."  Being a Councillor is an acquired taste - some like it - some don't.  I have seen many Councillors come ond go - some leave by their own choice - others have that decision made for them by you, the electorate and that's the way it should always be.  Some former Councillors decide to do something different - others 'chicken run' into safer seats.  The whole thing about being a Councillor is to help people.  You get small problems like litter being dumped, problems with Council Tax and numerous others.  I can honestly say that there is NO better feeling as a Councillor than that of having made a difference.                           

Now I don't pretend I know it all, indeed my wife Pat constantly reminds me that I (probably) don't.  What we have practiced for over 25 years is honest, positive politics in Castleton.  Keeping people informed of issues that matter to them.  Making them aware of where we are when they need us.  That is the most important thing.  You get challenges to your position and rightly so - we have had many but none as corrupt, none as misleading or none as downright insulting as that of  the past two weeks.

The relocation of Castleton Library has been a difficult one - but we are positive that we now offer a much improved library service here in Castleton.  It was a difficult decision to relocate the Library but I feel in the end the correct one.  In politics, opposition from other parties is welcome, it keeps you on your toes, it keeps you focussed and more importantly it makes you consistently strive to provide a better and more innovative approach to public service.  When the opposition is in disguise it becomes more difficult and that brings me to the anonymous leaflet delivered last week to homes in Castleton.  The same leaflet was delivered to EVERY Councillor's Pigeon Hole in the Town Hall - a little more sinister in fact as it was obvious that people who knew the system were behind this.  People who knew that lies and falsehoods would be delivered to every Councillor in the Borough at Tax Payers expense.  I hope that the people behind it are caught and I hope the Labour Councillors who were delivering it to homes in Castleton acknowledge their mistake and apologise.

We will continue to put the people of Castleton First.  Strive to improve and get better value for money for our Council Services. to improve residents' lives,  stick up for them and ensure we have better public transport, make our streets safer. and fight  for better health services for the future   wellbeing of our residents.

Ted.