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 10/04/2008, 6:23 PM
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brian
Joined on 10/04/2008
Posts 2
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Exmouth meetings about the Asda proposals
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Dear Sir.
I note with pleasure, the accuracy of the reporting about both the meetings held by the Exmouth Residents Association and the public meeting promoted by the Citizens forum. However these two meetings both having the same outcome a condemnation of the ASM proposals to build on the bus station site are indicative of the vocal few that wish to dominate the views of Exmouth people.
How can it be thought that by putting a few loud protesters in a room it will generate a reasonable debate on a matter that will affect us for years to come?
It has to be noted also that the ERA statement rejecting the ASM proposals is from another very small pressure group, many of those attending the meeting (22) that passed the resolution being the members of ECF.
A point made at the ECF meeting by Ben Ingham that the residents of Exmouth should look to change their Councillors at the next election should be noted. However remember that the people voted the town council out and replaced it with councillors of another party last May by doing so they voted out many of those who had defended the Estuary site in the Town Council from EDDC and their Regeneration partners.
Yours faithfully.
B.H.Smythe.
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18/04/2008, 12:44 PM
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Mike Fairclough
Joined on 18/04/2008
Posts 2
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Re: Exmouth meetings about the Asda proposals
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There is a significant difference between the town council , the district council, their make up and last, and most importantly, their power. I'd be interested to know where and how Mr Smythe acquired the "facts" that he has stated.
In 2006, Sara Randall Johnson is on record as saying that the estuary site should not be developed in this way because of public opinion, and a number of other investigations into the issue by themselves and other groups. Two years later, she has overturned this statement.
I have lived in Exmouth for over 40 years , and seen the EDDC effect on Exmouth over this period. In my opinion the proposed building of 27 or more residential units would be a very nice windfall for the coffers of EDDC , and at no financial expense. The aesthetic expense would be catastrophic and irreversible.
The proposal by ASM/Wal Mart presented to the council in December seems to contain an inaccuracy.
The proposal by ASM/Wal Mart identifies the area bounded by Imperial Road westward from China Garden to Victoria Road and the entire block behind as retail when only Light and Shade is a retail outlet.
The number of town councillors who are also EDDC councillors has barely changed in terms of their political allegiance, so the argument about its make up is of no relevance in this debate.
There is no such animal as "the silent majority". It is a political device invented , like so many others, to confuse people who know little or nothing about statistics or statistical method, and is used by people with little or no knowledge of same.
You are entitled to your opinion Mr Smythe, as am I.
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20/04/2008, 1:18 PM
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brian
Joined on 10/04/2008
Posts 2
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Re: Exmouth meetings about the Asda proposals
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In my posting I made no reference to the "facts" that Mr Fairclough refers to, with the exception that at the elections held in May 2007 the ruling party members on the Town Council were largely replaced by the members of the ruling party at EDDC. This resulted in the loss of control of the Town Council by the old group who spent much time and effort to defend the views of the people and to pesent alternative options for the redevelopment of the town centre. The Councillors who lost their seats on EDDC at that were from Brixington ward 2, Littleham ward 2 on the town council there were many more, Brixington 4, Halsdon 1, Littleham 3, there were some retirements which ended up with a new controling party having 14 seats to the opposition's 11 FACT.
With that same (tory) party at EDDC having increased their majority, the balance of power is now firmly with the tory party in E Devon, and who are now declaring that they are able to go ahead with their (EDDC's) plans for Exmouth as they have been given a mandate to do so by the electorate.
However to the point made as a fact by Mr Fairclough, if I remember correctly Ms Johnson in the EDDC official statement made the point the EDDC would no longer, promote the redevelopment of the esuary site for retail use, not the statement the as Mr Fairclough has indicated it.
This is still the case because EDDC have cleverly made a developer make the proposals and enter into all of the negotiations and public consultations at their, the developers, cost. EDDC are keeping themselves out of the equation
Brian
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24/04/2008, 5:04 PM
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Mike Fairclough
Joined on 18/04/2008
Posts 2
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Re: Exmouth meetings about the Asda proposals
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Am I wrong to make the assumption that Mr Smythe is not in favour of the ERA, ECA and ECF ? That is the impression I've got from the original post.
Now, I'm well aware of the position with regard to the "petition" to which we all refer. I am well aware that it was signed by 10,500 or so (give or take) and I'm well aware that the population of Exmouth is 33,000 or so (give or take) and I wouldn't presume to argue that anybody is in a position to claim the moral or legal high ground by attempting to use the "silent majority" argument.
Nobody knows what the silent majority think! We all know what the vocal minority think because it is on record. We all know what Sara Randall Johnson said in 2006, it is on record. We all know what Sara Randall Johnson is saying now. It is on record , and it is the opposite of what she said 2 years ago. I understand these to be facts.
Finally, about "our democracy" are you are aware that NO government since World War II has been elected with a majority of the vote?
Blair's landslide! in 1997 was achieved with 43.2% of the vote. 56.8% of the population, therefore, did NOT vote for him. and his 43.2% of the vote got him 63.6% of the parliamentary seats. Democracy .. what democracy?
PS I am not a member of ERA ECA or ECF , but support in principle their objectives.
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Devon24 Forums » Devon24 » News » Re: Exmouth meetings about the Asda proposals
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