The post you are reporting:
Yes indeed Keith I have always wanted to help boost tourism and businesses; that's why I put myself forward as a Councillor in 2003.
I had the opportunity to do so officially last November, but had that pulled from under my feet from you know who.
As well as the 23 areas I was working on, I was half-way through a Tourism Strategy for Dover (Town, not District) as well as a Plan For Action as part of the Town Centre Rejuvination committee, where, once completed, we could start applying for funding.
I offered my services as DBS Manager, to be Chairman of that committee but was forced to resign.
As far as I am aware, Spencer didn't live in Dover, this new chap Jez, comes from Thanet can you believe.
I can't see what experience and knowledge a DJ can have, in supporting businesses (and hasn't been associated with local businesses), nor someone who lives in Thanet and writes music articles for an on-line music guide. I was told by a local business yesterday, that they went to see him and he didn't even know where Market Square was.
It seems that every decision the Chamber make, is the wrong one - for Dover, but sadly I am not involved anymore, so it all rests on their shoulders.
I do think Tourism is very important to Dover - the whole District as well as Dover Town; I also appreciate that there are severe financial contraints on DDC.
It makes economic sense to devolve tourism to the Town(s) of Dover, Deal and Sandwich, where they support and develop tourism for each of them, but it will need to be co-ordinated to bring it all together under one main roof.
Deal and Sandwich have a pretty well developed tourism set up, it's only Dover that's arguing and you must ask why.
I have my thoughts, but I'm not airing them on here; other than to say, we must consider the Town, the visitors, residents and local businesses, bringing the historic sites, museums and attractions, the accommodation sector and businesses together - as I tried to do with the Discover Dover leaflet - the most popular leaflet in the VIC.
Roger
