Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Today the volunteer group reached a fantastic milestone.
Since their inception 10 years ago, they have removed a phenomenal ….
40,000 Kgs of Litter and Rubbish, from around Whittlesey and our villages.
I am very proud of these ‘volunteers’ who have made a very BIG difference to our areas environment. I am very proud to have been Chairman of the group for 6 years and now Vice Chairman for this year.

We counted 12 closed, 1 known to be up for sale and 2 imminently closing (In the next 2 weeks). Maybe small businesses are suffering. I am aware of a letter of complaint doing its rounds, regarding how businesses were affected by the weeks of disruption whilst the New Bus Stop was being constructed.

This is starting to become just a bit concerning…. Yet another business closes its doors.
The restaurant opposite Whittlesey Police Station ‘Caserta Vecchia’ closed yesterday

On a slightly more positive note, the Market Square was bustling well this morning, the Traders seemed ‘fairly’ happy! – there were some concerns about who holds the ‘keys’ for the bollards.
There was some tittle tattle about the ‘cost’ of moving the planters and the cost of servicing and maintaining them…Sorry until I find out the ‘sums/figures’ I do not believe what I was told.
   

Moving on from my chance meeting of the Green Party candidate, I happened to ask him if he was aware of some of the ‘issues’ within St Marys/St Andrews Wards, to which I am sorry to say I got a pretty blank look. Sorry, I do not wish to ‘bash’ another candidate, but please – do a bit of research before standing….or better still would have been to have attended a few if not all Council meeting over a period of time.
I see on the ‘Social Networking site’ – sorry I don’t like the name so won’t use it, there are even more ‘rumours’ of shop closures.
I can confirm that another two businesses will be closing in the near future for various reasons.
Sorry that Nancy (Goude) is closing sometime in June, husband Reg is not very well and her lease is up for renewal, she also stated that business rates were an issue.
Fox’s Cakery I understand is also closing.
We have already a growing number of vacant shop units….I wonder what the future holds for small businesses when/if Sainsburys is built?

At last Roger N of Broad St has congratulated and given kudos to the new scheme.
He said I could quote him….and yes the stop inbound outside of the Lighting shop needs some serious sorting out with cars parked in the Bus Bay.
I do feel very sorry for those who have to stand on Broad Street in the cold and wet.
It needs addressing – Thanks again Roger…

Having received all the ‘other’ candidates literature, some of it very impressive!
One ‘Green’ candidate, you can not contact, as he has no personal details on the literature?
I met him today – seems a nice boy, but has NO idea what is going on in his prospective ward, try him out! – My ‘Green’ credentials are well documented.

That’s ALL I’ve heard since going about for the last few weeks and why not….It is the topic of the moment. So for those unaware the story is below just go down in dates.
I will remind everyone especially those vocal on ‘Social Networking’, here are a couple of pictures of what the Market Square looked like in 2008….(My copyright)

A dirty derelict square, 4 buildings for sale.
There is still some way to go with the Bus Stop….I have had news ‘today’
dictated by the Managing Director of Stagecoach Mr Andy Campbell quote…
“We are monitoring the service over the next two weeks to see if there is sufficient time to use the new facility’
The more ‘people’ power that ‘complain’ to Stagecoach to more chances of them coming around to use the ‘New facility’ – remember they originally agreed to the proposals.

Thursday afternoons photo…..Big clean up caused some temporary disruptions along Market Street whilst the sweeper was doing its job.
Lets hope all the pain and moans are worthwhile – we now have a Market Square brought up-to-date.

McCarthy & Stone (Retirement House builder) are holding a public exhibition to display their proposals for the development of the Bricklayers Arms site – Station Road.
Wednesday 29th April 2105 between 3pm and 7pm at the Manor Leisure Centre.
Look at their website www.mccarthyandstone-consulation.co.uk/whittlesey (Not live at the time of this posting)

After several weeks! – I was told by the contractors that the ‘New’ Market Place will be completed tomorrow – Friday 17th April.

Lets hope ‘everyone’ can enjoy….

See below, the more people that ‘complain’ to Stagecoach about them NOT using the new Bus Stop, the more chance of them listening…..

See previous posts… Stagecoach Buses originally agreed to transfer to the ‘New’ Bus/Station/Stop, then changed their stance. They now say, since they are NOT receiving any complaints… they will continue as they are, only stopping at Broad Street.
Therefor I world urge everyone to write/contact Stagecoach and register your complain.
Unless they get the message, they will carry on ‘Bullying the people who use the buses’

As far as am concerned, I will be standing against a conservative candidate for Town council in St Marys Ward. In the St Andrews ward (District council) I will be standing against both a conservative and unfortunately an unknown Green Party candidate from Coates!…No great disrespect, however I do not believe this person to be a serious credible candidate – never been to a council meeting, and I think my Green credentials to be just as good, including my carbon neutral footprint…more to come. You can find the complete list for all of Whittlesey/Fenland by going to Fenland District Councils website, under elections.