Representatives ... My arse!

We have these "things" within our community called representatives, also known as councillors who are elected to "represent" the community and the town. Sadly in Thornaby we have some who, in better terms are poison and are non reflecting of the community they claim to represent.

A proportion of councillors are in the role as they believe they can do a great job representing their community, some actually do but there is others who are just along for the ride and the healthy allowance at the end of the month. Sadly there is some of these in Thornaby and sadly it is having a negative effect on voluntary projects within the town.

Over the past few months we have seen a food bank close, a community kitchen close, advice services cease to operate and soon we will see the end of a youth project that has worked with over 1,200 youngsters in 18 months. Obviously these people are not interested in what is going on in "their" communities otherwise they wouldn't allow this to happen. But all these services and projects have one thing in common, me.

I think it is fair to say that I am a factor in them not supporting projects and I also think it is fair to say that they have not been supportive of these things whilst they where in operation. Sadly they expected myself to update them to what was happening within the town. So much for "Community Representatives" being councillors.

I now have two weeks left before I hang up my community hat and I can't help but think what will these people do afterwards. These being people who struggle to turn up for council meetings, 2 a month is not a lot of effort now is it.

Today, as I stood in the cold getting wet with the downpour I had time to think about the impact these projects and services had to people and I really do hope that those responsible of ruining a good thing hear about it.

P.S: Within Thornaby we have two political parties, I can say that the majority of Thornaby Independent Association Councillors have supported these projects. Sadly the same can't be said for the majority of the Thornaby Labour Party.

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Luke John Frost

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