An insight into the minds of local personalities and politicians through their own words.
This week, Councillor Harry Isaacs who appeared (rabbit like) transfixed by the lamps of the Cafe Pasta.
The St Ives Times & Echo reported on Friday that planning officers had approved lighting on the exterior of the Cafe Pasta (which had already subdued its lighting) on the Wharf - an approval too far for Cllr Isaacs who told St Ives Town Council:
"I don't understand. I totally disagree. If you look at the harbour it [sic] stands out like a sore thumb. It's totally different to everything else that's in the Wharf area. It shines like a headlamp across the harbour.
'The majority of people keep a sensible level of lighting but this goes against everything else others are doing there."
He added that there was a lot of good illumination but the fluorescent lighting was "too harsh."
And:
"It takes away what everyone else down there has done with their lighting. It's totally unnecessary."
Cllr Isaacs is an electrician.
Next week: Councillor Harry Isaacs says NO.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Migrant workers: Penwith misses FOIA deadline
Penwith District Council has failed to respond within the statutory 20-working day limit to my Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for information about the eviction of Polish migrant workers from premises in Penzance earlier this year. The deadline for a reply was last Tuesday, April 1.
The Council has now been considering my request for five weeks. No explanation has been offered by the Council for the delay.
As this is a request for information about a very recent matter, one would expect all relevant documents to be readily available.
I have told Clare James, Penwith's Information Management and Licensing Officer, of my concern at the Council's failure to carry out its statutory duty and asked to see the Council's complaints handling policy.
The evictions and the manner in which they were carried out is of concern to individuals and to the community. It is in the public interest that there should be full and transparent disclosure of all the facts.
I expect to soon lodge another FOIA request to the Council for information about at least one other case involving the eviction of migrant workers from premises in Penzance.
The Council has now been considering my request for five weeks. No explanation has been offered by the Council for the delay.
As this is a request for information about a very recent matter, one would expect all relevant documents to be readily available.
I have told Clare James, Penwith's Information Management and Licensing Officer, of my concern at the Council's failure to carry out its statutory duty and asked to see the Council's complaints handling policy.
The evictions and the manner in which they were carried out is of concern to individuals and to the community. It is in the public interest that there should be full and transparent disclosure of all the facts.
I expect to soon lodge another FOIA request to the Council for information about at least one other case involving the eviction of migrant workers from premises in Penzance.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Diary of a St Ivean
A young man who used to catch the 9.05 a.m St Ives to Penzance bus possessed an uncanny ability to arrive at the Malakoff bus station just seconds before the bus departed. Of course, it would not have been at all remarkable if the bus had always left on time, but it rarely did so. And the young man never missed the bus. I guess he was a garage mechanic as he always wore clean blue overalls and got off the bus at a stop close to a garage. Do garage mechanics have some kind of sixth sense that tells them even at a distance when a vehicle's engine is about to start? Did the young man live close to the Malakoff and was thus able to observe from his window the state of readiness of the bus and its driver? Was he in some kind of telepathic communication with the driver?
He also had a unique manner of de-bussing. He would ring the bell but would remain seated even after the bus had stopped. In my experience, most people rise from their seat just before they arrive at their stop. Elderly people are even more cautious and are out of their seats far too early. This young man always waited until the bus had come completely to rest on its springs and passengers were looking around to see why the bell had been rung before he sprang to his feet and strode decisively down the aisle looking straight ahead and off the bus thanking the driver as he went.
He always carried a plastic box which I assumed contained his packed lunch. I often wondered what it consisted of, but was never able to discover just what it might be.
He also had a unique manner of de-bussing. He would ring the bell but would remain seated even after the bus had stopped. In my experience, most people rise from their seat just before they arrive at their stop. Elderly people are even more cautious and are out of their seats far too early. This young man always waited until the bus had come completely to rest on its springs and passengers were looking around to see why the bell had been rung before he sprang to his feet and strode decisively down the aisle looking straight ahead and off the bus thanking the driver as he went.
He always carried a plastic box which I assumed contained his packed lunch. I often wondered what it consisted of, but was never able to discover just what it might be.
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
UPDATE: Penzance Co-op to get 'makeover'
Penzance's Market Jew Street Co-op is to have a 'makeover' this year.
Mr John Holmes, of the Co-op's customer relations team, told The St Ivean today that the Co-op's stores are due for refit in the coming months.
The St Ivean criticised the state of the Penzance store in a recent post.
Mr Holmes said:
"I do not have a exact date when this is due to happen, but please be assured that it will have its 'makeover' this year, and hopefully you will be very pleased with the results."
Mr John Holmes, of the Co-op's customer relations team, told The St Ivean today that the Co-op's stores are due for refit in the coming months.
The St Ivean criticised the state of the Penzance store in a recent post.
Mr Holmes said:
"I do not have a exact date when this is due to happen, but please be assured that it will have its 'makeover' this year, and hopefully you will be very pleased with the results."
Dogs on beaches
The decision to modify the rules on allowing dogs on beaches seems to have produced either confusion or irresponsibility amongst dog owners in St Ives. Over the past few days, I have seen dogs on Porthmeor, Porthgwidden and the Harbour beaches outside the times (between 7pm and 8am) dogs are allowed there under the new rules - if, indeed, the new rules have yet come into force.
But why choose Easter Day as the start day for the annual ban (which runs until October 1) on dogs on some beaches ? Many people don't know the date when that day falls (this year it was March 23). The end date is clear and so should the start date. It makes no sense to use a moveable and thus ambiguous date.
But why choose Easter Day as the start day for the annual ban (which runs until October 1) on dogs on some beaches ? Many people don't know the date when that day falls (this year it was March 23). The end date is clear and so should the start date. It makes no sense to use a moveable and thus ambiguous date.
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Life expectancy mapped
A child born in one area of the Westcountry could live up to 18 years longer than a child born elsewhere in the region, a report has revealed.
And even within towns there can be a staggering difference in the age someone can hope to live to.
Devon sees the most dramatic difference in life expectancy, with both the highest predicted lifespan, in Ivybridge Woodlands in the south of the county, and the lowest, in Ilfracombe in the north.
However, in Cornwall, life expectancy can still vary by nearly ten years depending on the town of birth... more>
And even within towns there can be a staggering difference in the age someone can hope to live to.
Devon sees the most dramatic difference in life expectancy, with both the highest predicted lifespan, in Ivybridge Woodlands in the south of the county, and the lowest, in Ilfracombe in the north.
However, in Cornwall, life expectancy can still vary by nearly ten years depending on the town of birth... more>
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