Can I ask that such challenges should be held, until such time that all the talk has actually produced something to boast about?

And what does all the Liberal huff and puff ever produce Peter? See your expertise stretches to every issue published on here!

#2 Rebel
I should say that it does Roger, having been around some time, and having done most things, yes, my expertise is fairly wide.
Unlike the don't knows, I make my opinions known.
Too late after the event?
Just so long as I am able I shall point a finger at Politicians, or anyone who thinks talking is the equivalent, substitute or alternative of doing.
Applies to all Roger - absolutely all.
The will of the people surpasses the ambitions of the politicians - a good joke in 2009?

#Rebel
To be unkind?
How long have the Conservatives held sway in Calderdale - a decade or more?
During this long time, how many times have there been issues which have sparked off real anger, whether centralised on Halifax, or districts?
How much longer do we tolerate the lack of meaningful information, not hype or excuses, or duck and dive explanations?
When will we be relieved of this Cabinet system and see a return to true answerable local government?
When will all our Councillors be allowed to take part in Calderdale MBCs running, and actually be in charge -currently Calderdale is run by a clique of over paid and totally remote, Ivory Tower dwelling senior Officers, and a Cabinet, not required to be answerable, it seems, to any soul but themselves?

Is is not a waste of money to hold elections and then finish up with a system we had no vote on.

Why bother is an increasing question from many people, and they spoil their paper or stay at home?
Seems politicians do not worry about this - helps to maintain the status Quo?

But you moan and winge about politicians but you haven't answered my question! Pot, kettle and calling black spring to mind Peter.

The cabinet system was imposed upon us and I have been on it and off it. However if I contact the member I wish to speak to they do manage to answer me so they are not remove, devoid of life or otherwise.

If only you would see the whole picture, instead of the emotional clap you read here, then you might understand what really goes on in the town hall. Broad Street, the Shay, Somerset House and soon (hopefully) Piece Hall have not happened cos the fairy godmother has intervened! They have taken years of producing a plan to attract funds to them. Move the library to the old Woollies site, the archives to Holdsworth's Mill along with the many museum pieces we never see and we are cooking on gas.

Nothing is as simple as you see it Peter, why not actually talk to me or the other councillors? You might realise that we only control 10% of the budget, we have to spend the other 90% as dictated by government. NOthing is what you see it to be.

I suspect your accusation that Calderdale is "run by a totally remote, Ivory Tower dwelling senior Officers
and a Cabinet, not required to be answerable (completely untrue) it seems, to any soul but themselves?" could be a liable claim. Perhaps you could provide evidence of your feelings off this site and to me directly?

If you are complaining that locally a vote is a waste then you should look at the national picture which has far more affect upon our lives. My pension has been raided by Brown, I cannot vote (although promised by Brown/Blair)on the Lisbon Constitution (treaty!) any child born today is charged with a £20,000 government borrowing bond etc. etc. etc.

Next topic?????

My opinion is not a liable claim. All your answer does is bring out exactly what I am claiming?
The Country is in dire need for change and our Council is a part of this clamour for honest dealings.
Somerset House is now restored, but why was it allowed to suffer wrack and ruin, and why cannot you see that this applies to so much in our forced Borough status.
How many reports have to be published which state how much is at stake in our districts.
I would love to have a talk with all Councillors, but this will never come about, you are all so busy pulling each other apart - the start of this onslaught?
What has been done to get rid of the Cabinet, what has been done to alter anything over the years?
Will politicians ever tell the electorate why most of those things which effect our lifes should remain their domain.
You know they will not, even locally we never know. Even you struggle to know all that you would wish to know - why is this?
Why do we still employ supremos when the system has been proven not to achieve - e.g. childrens care?

#6 Rebel
Sorry, I missed the Library reference.
When was it mentioned that this would go to the old Woolies site?

It's called FUNDING Peter! We knew Somerset House needed renewing but the cash isn't sitting in the bankrupt banks so we have to bid for it.

All councillors have their phone numbers and e mail contacts available on line, in Calderdale Call and of course you can ring the council's number and ask. We are not exactly hiding and I suspect you haven't really tried to contact us. I do remember you found me very easily to complain about the lack of policing in your area.

"Pulling each other apart"? On what evidence and witnessing do you make that claim? Complete and utter rubbish! We agree on probably 95% or more on most issues.

All meetings are open to the public (who virtually never show up unless they have an interest in it) unless we are debating sensitive issues such as contracts, employees' terms of contract or legal issues which no one would expect to be public. So where are you at our meetings Peter?

You can ask via FOI Act if needs be for any information.

The old Woollies site is my idea, never considered by the council. However I feel it would be worth considering but to yet again repeat. I am sure the dinosaurs will win the vote. Then they'll moan that Halifax hasn't a good sized retailer.

Sometimes I agree with the old statement which says, "The people get the government they deserve".

Rebel.
I contact the persons I need to contact. I'm sure if you got in touch with Calderdale First they would tell you exactly how many times I contact them. You speak from a lack of knowledge too, like voting on The Library, Waste Collection, indeed the lot.
I have even taken Calderdale to The Ombudsman, with the matter still on hold, because the CMBC department claims to have deleted all evidence of the current case!
No Roger, I have no confidence in contacting Calderdale, and I have attended meetings, including
with Owen Williams the CE.
I registered a Residents Association, and received a welcome to Calderdale letter. The last time I mentioned this all knowledge was denied - "we do not keep records". It is a good job that I do.
OK, we agree to disagree.
I still believe Calderdale has been dragging their feet and wasting money.

So why complain on here? If we are so useless don't you think we'd have been pulled up by now for it? You will win your vote on keeping the dim and dingy library and Halifax will, once again, miss out on a major retailer. But after that please shut up because your negative views are destroying any chance of new vigour, life and enterprise entering this town!
Of course you are entitled to express your feelings but why do you have to keep looking to the past?
I sometimes feel as though we get what we deserve. You have never had problems contacting me. So where's the problem?