Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Having reported on several occasions and by others….A Large Bag of ‘Fly-Tipped’ Asbestos in the small layby on Ramsey Road. It has taken 2 not days but Weeks for it to be removed….Being fair as I try to be our Street Scene Officers (2) were on the case. I was told that the ‘Rapid Response’ team who would normally deal with this were ‘Busy’ in Wisbech and March….As I said maybe a sign of things to come!

The ink has hardly dried on ‘our’ elected representatives acceptance forms, when – blow me down with a feather…’some’ @ FDC are talking about ‘cuts and how to raise revenues’ Who-ever was elected has the unenviable task of trying to balance a budget on much less grants and subsidies from Central Government. But come-on – can no one ‘think‘ beyond the ‘box’ – Car Parks charges are being ‘thought’ about, charging for (I spoke about this 18 months ago) for empting ‘Brown Bins’. I can think beyond the ‘box’ but since I was not elected why should I give my informed advice to anyone…..and in any case probably not worthy of me. There are enough Whittlesey Town and District councillors very capable of ‘thinking’ for themselves….. More later…

What can I say…So close yet so far away! – A Big thank you to the 450 who voted for me in the St Andrews/District election, the 273 who voted for me in the St Marys/Town election.
Unfortunately the Conservative (with respect) voting machine is far too well financed, organised and very efficient. I will repeat my due respect for the due democratic process having taken its course. Undoubtedly there was some personal vote for both Cllr David Mason and Cllr Julie Windle, but I truly believe that the voter for a ‘Political’ reason is all wrong on local elections.
What we have now is a ‘council’ who in most cases have been elected coming from just one political group. There is ‘shortage’ of full debate/transparency and openness due to meetings held behind closed doors prior to a council meeting.
This is what the political voter has allowed to happen.
We have councillors who recently rarely turn up for meetings, who have been re-elected.
We have councillors who have been elected who have never been to a council meeting – ever…
So the electorate have spoken – I have been asked to keep my ‘Rants and Raves’ web/blog running…which I am more than happy to do.

Naturally not having been elected can sometimes has its advantages, I am not as constrained in my activist views, and as I have found out before – Sometimes! – one get more done outside than inside!

Again congratulations to the elected Cllr Mason and Cllr Windle and I hope you will represent ‘everyone’ with full openness and transparency.

The ‘political’ landscape of both Towns and Fenland remains much the same.

Roy G….

ps I will update the rest of the pages in due time.

It has been a preveldge to have been your Ward Town Councillor for the past 4 years.
I thank all my friends, supporters and electors for giving me their confidence.
Today at the count, many will have seen the results, but I will publish here.

For District council:
Cllr David Mason     (Con)     788
Roy Gerstner             (Ind)     450
Alex Oates                  (Green) 166

For Town council:
Cllr Julie Windle       (Con)     302
Roy Gerstner              (Ind)     273

Many thanks again, the conservative vote throughout Fenland/Whittlesey was far too strong for my team to take on and I congratulate both David and Julie for their success.
                                                        Julie W and Roy G at the count.

So here we are – the day before you vote. My concerns are that some 60% of the electorate do not vote for various reasons – apathy, fed up, same old stuff etc.
I ask for as many of you as possible – NOT to be put off,
please use your vote – and I hope use it for me.
I have used my strengths and track record to try and convince as many as possible.
I am now in your hands.

Thank you for reading my blog/website and I look forward (hopefully) in serving another term as the only
‘Independent Voice’ of St Marys/St Andrews and for Whittlesey.

As I have said many times, I can make no promises (unlike MP’s!) I can do my very best to lobby and promote issues.
1/ If elected I will lobby and promote for an ALL weather bus shelter on Broad Street, with proper road markings for Buses.
2/ If elected I will lobby and promote for a Website for Whittlesey Town council. All our residents should be properly ‘informed’ in a timely manner about council business and not rely on ‘social media’ for hearsay or inaccuracies.
3/ If elected I will continue to lobby keeping our Whittlesey Re-cycling centre open
4/ If elected I will lobby to keep the Kings Dyke crossing at the for-front of Highways issues.
5/ If elected I will continue to lobby our Police & Crime Commissioner to keep our established number of Officers in our town.

This is just my top 5 – you may have more – if elected I will do my best to promote your views……the most recent being more Cycle Racks in and around our town to encourage more people to use Cycles.

Speed Watch campaign – At various locations in/around Whittlesey.©

18:00 Monday 04th….
A new lick of paint and a ‘New Shop’ opening in place of Fox’s Cakery.

A Sandwich shop opening up.

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 I talk and contact residents nearly every day, one of things I always highlight are ALL the Good things we have in our Town and Villages.
For example:
1/ We live in one of the ‘cleanest’ areas in Fenland.
2/ We have one of the ‘lowest’ crime rates in Fenland
3/ Our schools in general are well OFSTED rated
4/ £11M recently spent on Sir Harry Smiths
5/ New Queen Street Surgery was given VERY GOOD
ratings by CQC
6/ A great number of Roads have been resurfaced
7/ These achievements are brought about by
Teamwork’ by YOUR councillors/Volunteer Groups
and Local residents doing their bit.
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I could go on, and admit there is still many major ‘issues’ to address.
Vote for ME and I will do my very best.

My friends and supporters tell me.

I am not afraid of getting my Hands Dirty and Getting Stuck in.
I have come up with a number of innovative ideas for our Community Groups.

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My 30+ years ‘work’ ethos – Get it right first time – Attention to detail.
I am proud to have worked for 5 years for the UK Government as a Surveillance Engineer.
The photos are not security sensitive.

My friends and supporters tell me.

I am a Self Starter.
I am Confident and Credible.

Okay – so the photo is from a while ago! Reading Alex the Green Party review in the Cambs Times© this week. Sorry Alex, Church Street where you wish to have further speed restrictions, already has a 20 mph speed limit at school times, the parking is such it is already difficult to do more than 20 anyway (I repeat I’ve lived along this part of Whittlesey for 37 years). We have a ‘Pinch’ in place at the Letter ‘B’ which some drivers ignore! Best of all – Who is going to ‘police’ this new limit! Not sure if you’ve passed your test yet!  – I have carried out on several occasions a ‘Speed Watch’ campaign with our local police – have you!

My friends and supporters tell me:

I am a dependable .
I am prepared to promote the electors views

Friday 15:13 – Cllr Martin Curtis has put BIG pressure onto Stagecoach National CEO. Writing a strongly worded e-mail….he has an answer to the effect that ‘Stagecoach’ are going to use the ‘New’ Bus stop from the 07th June.
This of course more or less ties in from when ‘Judds’ will probably not be running their service anymore.
A very good result…lets hope they keep to their word and find that the ‘New’ terminal works for everyone.

Friday 01st May, Steve Barclay is in Whittlesey today from 11:00 –

My friends and supporters tell me:

I am good at making ‘Difficult decisions’.
I have a good ‘rack record’ and am Focused on the issue’.

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