'Dairy buyout was only option,' is the banner headline in the weekly paper and the Nairnshire provides us with the most succint account of the events at the Creamery to be found in any newspaper to date. The editorial deals with the subject too and hints at the difficulties the buy-out team will face in the competitive environment that is the Dairy industry today. Hopefully local stores will provide us with more opportunities in the future to buy the local creamery product and thus support the remaining local workers. The front page also carries a picture depicting the start of Millbank Primary school's centenary year celebrations.
There are four pages of sports reports from 2009, amazing how much sport there is in Nairn and a chance for many participants of the various clubs, leagues and societies to reflect upon the events of 2009 this week. It's a big 'letter to the Nairnshire week' with another plea to keep the Dava windmill free. A thoughtful letter from Rosemary Young replying to Greg Riddle's recent letter attacking those that hold back development in the town. Rosemary urges Mr Riddle and others to get involved with the community councils and have their say this way. There will be many in Nairn, the great majority the Gurn thinks, who will agree with Rosemary when she says:
'Not all development is objectional. The crucial point is to have the right kind of development. Proposals have to improve the quality of life and deliver economic growth which is permanent and sustainable.'
Councillor Graham Marsden writes in reflecting on the recent weather and the effect on the Fishertown. He seems to be calling for a rethink of council policy that sees the Fishertown graded as priority 4 for salting (which in effect means sometime perhaps?). He suspects that 'part of the winter maintenance savings may be illusory' given the cost to the NHS etc. The trouble for Graham is that he is part of an administration that has cut the budget for roads maintenance and there will probably be much, much more to come. Graham is a councillor that cares about the community but the tragic fact his that he and the other three Nairn councillors are victims of economic restraints beyond their control and there is less and less that they can effectively do to protect their community. His letter nonetheless is very though provoking. The final letter is from Harry Garland who asks searching questions about gritting policy and wants to know which councillors voted for the cuts in the budget.
The Nairnshire, ladies and gentlemen, the usual compulsive must have read of the week!
The sentiment of Graham Marsden’s letter in the Nairnshire may be admirable but this is 2010 and the current economic situation means there is little if any slack in Highland Councils budget to provide more services, which in effect he is asking for.
ReplyDeleteThere was a time when we could approach local councillors and they really did have the ability to alert the right sector of the council to an issue and see it resolved. In today’s monitory climate I’m afraid that a councillor has little sway over the council budget and their role has been reduced to hearing complaints but without the necessary clout to do anything about them if they require council spending.
To be cynical this is perhaps why Graham has written a letter to the Nairnshire, to be seen to be listening and making public the complaint but knowing that there is little chance of the council acting upon it
Graham is a member of the Lib Dems who just recently declared that their policies will need to be radically redrawn with regard to spending, as there just isn’t the money, I fear that has already happened to the Highland Council budget.
Back to the point in hand, gritting, I’m sure every district of Nairn would like to have their status upgraded to ensure more frequent attention when there is snow or ice but currently this is not going to happen.
I wonder what other projects the current financial climate is going to knock back? The Lib Dems Nairn Bypass web site has been broken for many months, is this a,sign of yet another promise they will have to renege on?
Who decides the Category status? I came along Church Street today and the pavements, like many all over the town, are a disgrace, it was safer to walk on the road (but only just). Surely everywhere should have had some treatment by now? Even some sand from the beach would be better than nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteWriting on the wall mentions areas being upgraded 'to ensure more frequent attention when there is snow or ice'. More frequent? What about at all?
I have been following the comments and letters made in the Nairnshire over the last few weeks with regard the weather and find myself saddened by Councillor Marsden’s support for the Fishertown to obtain more gritting.
ReplyDeleteAt times like these we should be acting as a community and not be having a shouting competition as to who’s voice will win the most services from Highland Council and indeed gain support from our councillors
Many elderly people live in all areas of Nairn not just the Fishertown, We should all be working together to gain extra much needed support in there hard weather conditions
I have my neighbours to thank for taking me up the street in their car where I shopped at Somerfield who provide a free delivery service that is excellent.
Perhaps we do need more gritting but lets deal with what we can, how about more community transport being provided or even a volunteer shopping service for those of us who find it difficult to get out? These are practical solutions that would cost little if any money and could be organised quickly
Nairnites are usually very good at helping each other out so how about less me,me,me and thinking more about what we can do for each other?
Agreed, volunteer effort needs to be coordinated. You've probably seen the previous gurns about this anon.
ReplyDeleteIf the Highland Council doesn't want to take on board voluntary help for snow clearing etc then perhaps it can be organised by the Royal Burgh Community Council once it is created.
As the cuts bite there will be more and more things the community will have to do for itself, it is perhaps a waste of time to debate the rights and wrongs of this because it is a certainty that council services to the community will be slashed in coming years.
All very credible words - all mouth no action that is the problem when debate such as this starts.
ReplyDeleteGraisg - "Agreed, volunteer effort needs to be coordinated. You've probably seen the previous gurns about this anon".
I take it you want to be first to add your name or coordinate the volunteer group..??
Yes willing to take part in such efforts.
ReplyDeleteAs for coordination I'd urge either the HC, or should we be lucky enough to ever get such a thing, a single community council for the town, to consider a high-tech version of the 1936 type of volunteer list.
Would you be willing to take part anon?
Nah! - I, having been born & bred here, have been part of many groups in the past, including managing some working groups.
ReplyDeleteThey never last longer than a whisper, some folks get thier picture in the Nairny and you never see them again - so for that reason I will not be investing- I'm OUT.!!!