dippyhippy

We're all human. We're none of us perfect.... Lord knows I've got more than my fair share of quirks and foibles ....and we all have the ability to choose the wrong words to express ourselves on occasion. Let's get back to the thread.... it's a subject worthy of debate and comment. So. Any response yet from Mark Ferguson?? :

This story has at least restored a little faith.... Over a million people accessed food banks last year. That figure alone makes me feel ashamed. We need to do far more to change this. The gap between the haves and the have nots has never been wider. In 2015, this should not be happening.

OK folks... lets take a minute here. I stand by Paul, and all he has, and is trying to do. This is a man who has been on the receiving end, come out the other side... and now battles to help others in similar situations. He could walk away.... surely the easiest option. But he doesn't. He chooses to fight, and to my mind, he absolutely deserves any support that I can give him. Does he sometimes bite? Yes he does. And I'm glad he does. If I ever needed him fighting my corner, I'd be glad of those teeth. This is a subject that is incredibly important to him. It should be important to all of us. And I think it is. Personally,I think Two Wheels is a top bloke. This blogger has certainly educated me in the ways our council has been run. AV? Our opinions on some subjects could not be more polar.... but I still get the sense he's a decent man. Clarkester has been vocal in his support..... just because comments don't appear on this thread, doesn't mean they haven't been said I could go on. All folks care, to some degree, of that I'm certain. Some of us are a lot more vocal. And occasionally, with topics as emotive as this, comments are made which perhaps don't add to the subject being debated. None of this means that we should stop trying to highlight the appalling incidents of bullying/abuse which happen everywhere..... even here in Hereford. And if Paul Cardin ever decided to throw the towel in, it would be a very sad day. Keep going Paul. Now..... lets get back to what this thread is really about......

Evening Roger! I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong..... From what I remember, what was pitched wasn't true proportional representation. Perhaps that's why it was rejected???

Yet another breach of the rules which needs reporting. Thanks for bringing this to everyone attention, Slim. I must apologise for my completely out of character rant -a -thon yesterday, no excuse.....I was just very frustrated, very angry, and very upset. That said....I feel a whole lot better for getting it off my chest. I completely stand by what I posted, but perhaps could have said in my usual, tactful way.....trouble is, I wasn't feeling terribly tactful........ Normal service will resume shortly.....!

That's my point, Amanda..... you, and those like you have NOT let me down. You're efforts were huge, and greatly appreciated. You had a presence well before the elections, to many of us who were involved with The Edgar Street Trees/Working Boys Home. Your integrity, commitment and intelligence alone should have meant that you were given every chance possible. IOC shot themselves in the foot, with that decision. It's the top of the tree that perhaps needs attention. IOC didn't need to field a candidate in every ward. Surely to God, they realise this now???

One last thing, before I switch this bloody thing off. Some really good folk HAVE emerged. Cherish them. Nurture them. Keep them. Because THEY are the future of IOC. To Dazza, Amanda, Paul, Mike and Jimbo, I say a huge thank you. You guys alone are the only things that stop me walking away.

An excellent point, Green Knight.

Dazza....you really are the man I thought you were. Brilliant. IOC need to take a long hard look at themselves. Your ward was absolutely vital. You are a brilliant candidate. You deserved to have had the backing of an organised group. To hear how pi.ss poor some of the planning and preparation was is shocking. I applaude your honesty, in telling it as it is. I am so angry at this. The amount of time, energy and enthusiasm some of us have put into IOC over the past few years is unbelievable. If Bobby, Two Wheels and myself, invoiced IOC for the amount of hours we have spent on these bloody keyboards, as well as everything else, the bill would be spectacular. I feel absolutely justified in wanting to know how and why this went so wrong. And if it takes a public tongue lashing to get a response from either Anthony or Bob, then that's fine by me.

Brilliant! I love that!

Ah. Yes. See what you mean GK. I linked Jesse Norman......MP..... Local to Westminster...... and probably got hold of the wrong end of the stick.

Green Knight.... you must have heard about the on going historic claims of a Westminster paedophile ring???

Forgive me, but I am in full rant mode this evening. Pretty much like an all important election, I only experience this sense of anger and frustration once every four or five years, so bear with me.... Anthony Powers and Bob Matthews..... if you both value hearing the opinions of the good folk of Hereford, I would suggest you get yourselves on here, and start explaining. Not only have you managed to split the vote, you are in danger of losing the support,so many have given you. I'd like to hear your humble pie speech for myself. And Anthony, that means a different tone to the quite frankly arrogant, aloof and disinterested response I got from you on Polling Day. Step up, the pair of you.

And another thing, while I'm getting things off my chest.... Maybe, just maybe, both the Independents and IOC need to take a long, hard look at the leaders of their respective groups. Perhaps ask themselves the question..." Do we really have the best person in place to lead us forward?" Be honest. If they weren't prepared to put differences aside at this, the most crucial of times, should they be given another opportunity.

You'll not get a slating, Denise. It's called Tough Love. They need to hear it.

Many of us, the "Blogging Brigade", the regular posters..... feel extremely angry, and let down... that between you - the opposition - you failed to get your act together. And I would still like to know why a councillor with the track record of Sharon Michaels was allowed to stand in Whitecross, instead of Amanda. A woman who could definitely make a difference. IOC... you let one of your best slip through the nets, and enabled someone with a dubious - to say the least - record for the past five years to remain. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Well said, Bobby. Definitely your best post ever. And every word is sadly true.

The very warmest of welcomes to you, Tracey.... and congratulations! Hereford Voice is a great place to be, to really engage with your constituents, and hear about issues across Hereford as a whole. I hope you'll become a regular visitor, and contributor to these pages.

It's probably time now to turn the page.... start afresh. There is the Saxon Gate by election to plan for, and possibly a fair few more by elections will occur between now and the next round of elections. Time to reflect, time to organise, and time to prepare. Time to do things differently.

Is there any information on turnout figures anywhere?? If there is, could somebody possibly post a handy link? Many thanks, in anticipation!

What a lovely comment, Adrian. I'm sure this offer will be much appreciated and valued.

Excellent comment, Chris. I wholeheartedly endorse this statement.

Hi Glenda, your post above, answers my next question. I'm disappointed that the conversation took place, and someone was still fielded against you.

Morning Glenda.... re your post number 20. Don't you think perhaps this is part of the problem?? Good Independent councillors steadfastly refusing to work with IOC?? There are differences of opinions...for example, transport solutions, within IOC, discussion and debate are good. There's nothing wrong with having an alternative view. But to hold what is best for Hereford closest to your heart, should surely be the glue that could potentially bind you together...?? Don't dismiss the opportunity to be a part of something new out of hand..... things will be done differently, and you could be a part of that. Perhaps it's a conversation worth having??