Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
I think that the less than total attendance at the recent explanatory meeting was a good thing, for it would have informed a number of locals who can now disseminate that information to their neighbours.
Had they drawn a crowd this may have shortened the time the speakers had to make the plan plain.
I am sure interest will grow greatly from this beginning. Good luck with it all Ross.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
Another important point Tom is that a large percentage were representatives from local groups.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Yes indeed Terry. Now word-of-mouth can work it's miracles.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
it has been well publicised in the local media and on the net but i haven't heard anyone raise the subject around town, maybe it is just cynicism?
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Cynicism it may be, "I'll believe it when I see it." type of thing.
I think that it is too early yet to expect the availability of this money to be part of the conversation in the queues and at the bus stops, but the time for spreading the news is nigh.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
everybody knows about the money tom but most don't understand the concept, thinking that the council will make the final decision on how it is spent.
there is no interest where i live as we are outside of the area designated.
Guest 868- Registered: 25 Jan 2013
- Posts: 490
howard mcsweeney1 wrote:
there is no interest where i live as we are outside of the area designated.
People living outside of the designated area will still benefit, and can still guide, what happens within the area.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
Thanks Paul
Any one who wants to make Dover an even better place to live/work/play can get involved
Yes the money must be spent in the area designated but everyone in Dover uses a large chunk of that area and is entitled to be involved
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#27 Howard, let me make it clear DDC will assist/support as required but WILL NOT interfere/attempt to influence what is in essence a community project.
This project is about building communities & supporting local projects of which local people make the decisions.
I can't think of a more straight forward person than Ross to get behind the concept & champion the way forward.
This project is not meant to involve cllrs as far as I am aware- from any public elected body.
If they arrive via other groupings I would hope they don't try to dominate this developing group.
Good luck Ross.
Watty
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
paul
you have to understand that this is a totally alien concept to most people and they find it hard to believe that they can have a say in a decision process. up until now they sign petitions, complain in general but feel they are getting nowhere.
i don't see councillors as a problem if they are there in a different role, for example roger and pat represent the priory forum and the dover society respectively.
another thing that many do not understand is that the money is spread over a decade and is not to be spent on one project.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Funnily Howard, I had neither of those names in mind.
I'm sure they will observe the conventions.
Watty
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I have always thought of this as something for local groups to be involved with rather than a single person unless they are hoping to start a new group. As a result I am not surprised 'joe public' did not turn up in large numbers, also the time of year and poor weather might not have helped rather than apathy.
As an aside I hope some of the money will go towards Christmas lights from Ladywell hopefully going as far as Cherry Tree area.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Why don't you go to the meeting and put your point Jan. That's what it's about.
Ross is putting his shoulder to the wheel with others, don't have a go at them or him in particular. He is giving his time & expertise
They are trying to make it work.
Watty
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I am not having a go at Ross or anyone else as Paul infers.
I have supported the Big Local from the start, I was just giving a possible reason why the meetings might not have large numbers of 'joe public' attending.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
Jan - you have been a great supporter of not only Big Locals to date, but also of LRCF, WHPS, Age Concern and many other groups over the years and your idea regarding lights will be added to the growing list of things to consider once we are ready to put together the Big Local Vision & Plan.
Howard, I and other Big Local champions are more than happy to attend local groups meetings to explain how Big Local works. To date we have attended Town Team meetings, a number of youth groups (including Belgrave Road Under 16s Disco), on Monday I am visiting Princes Trust to talk to the current group of trainees and the staff. We really want to get the message out to everyone, but understand that many people dont want to, or for that matter feel comfortable coming to public meetings, so we are happy to come to them to chat etc.
Paul we are happy for Councillors to be engaged either as expert resources/advisors or in their capacity as residents - in the case of the latter they have no more rights or say than any other resident or worker.
To date attendees at meetings have on the whole, but not exclusively, been members of other community groups, there is nothing wrong with that; in fact it is positive as it shows a recognition that the community must come together to drive this exciting opportunity forward. If the current groups do not step up to the plate then they will fall by the wayside and new groups will form to represent the community.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Well put Ross and all the other (positive thinking) posters.
I would like the PF to meet up and the people put forward their ideas for improving Dover, but there is a great reluctance to come along to meetings and I have no idea why.
Roger
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
roger,one word APATHY.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I agree Brian, but the question is why the apathy when we are talking about improving Dover Town and doing it according to people's wishes.
Roger
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
To be honest I do not think it is just apathy that is the problem it is a case of disillusionment. Things get talked or even ranted about, ideas are put forward but nothing seems to happen so people tend to think that was a waste of time I will not bother again.
Another cause could be that many of the doers lead very busy lives and no longer have the time or even the energy to take anything else on.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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