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29th May - A63
I Read the latest editorial comment with interest. As you are aware I have campaigned for the last three years for the lights at the A63/Lidgett Lane junction so, following my election on May 4th, I immediately got a commencement date from Traffic Management. That date is w/c 28th May for preliminary work and w/c 4th June for the full scheme.
I have written to all interested parties along affected routes. So, for the cynics amongst us, I hope that clarifies things? I am always available to discuss any issue on 07974 963280.Regards, Councillor Mark Dobson
20/05 - Brecks Farm
Hello everyone,
I am writing relating to the odours drifting across from Brecks Farm with a view to updating you on recent developments. I contacted the Environment Agency to outline the concerns of nearby residents regarding the issue and they tell me that a number of conditions will be placed on any future agriculture permits, which may be granted for Brecks Farm.
This will include not only odour conditions but also a number of improvement conditions, which include a stipulation that the slurry lagoon is covered. As part of the agreement, dates will be specified by which these improvements must be made and Environment Agency staff will be on hand to work closely with the farms owner to make sure that these targets are met.
I am delighted that positive steps are being taken by the Environment Agency to solve the appalling smell coming from Brecks Farm. We all understand that Garforth is semi-rural, but the strength of odour emanating from the farm was way beyond what local residents should have to put up with.
Hopefully the conditions placed by the environment Agency in the granting of Brecks agriculture permit will have the desired effect and significantly reduce the strength of the smell. But if in the meantime there were any other further problems, I would urge residents to ring the freephone Environment Agency hotline.
If there are any further problems relating to the odour from the farm, local residents can contact the Environment Agency’s freephone incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
Councillor Mark Dobson
17th May - Thank You
May I offer a huge thank you to the 4,196 members of the electorate who elected me to serve the ward of Garforth and Swillington, it is both a great honour and a huge responsibility. I will not take it lightly. This result, the best in Leeds outside the Conservative stronghold of Harewood, vindicates the approach the Labour team have adopted throughout the campaign. We never involved ourselves in the personalisation and negativity that our opponents progressed, instead preferring to run on a positive agenda. Clearly the electorate approve of that approach. I see this result as the end of a three year project for me. On Tuesday the 8th of May a new four year project will begin to improve the lives of the people of our ward, and city-wide as part of the Labour Group, where and when I am able. Once again many many thanks for your support. It really is most appreciated. Regards, Councillor Mark Dobson, Garforth and Swillington Ward, 5th May 2007
17th April Misuse of e-mail. A statement from Mark Dobson
Should anyone get an e-mail giving my views on the local schools proposed trust status it is BOGUS and does not represent my views in any way shape or form. My e-mail address is Mark.Dobson12@btopenworld.com. Any other e-mail from any another address (other than the garforthra address) is BOGUS and should be disregarded as the work of a mischief-maker. Mark Dobson
15th April - Lights on Lidgett Lane
It was good to see the commencement of the traffic light work on the junction of the A63 Selby Road and Lidgett Lane.This is really good news and is the culmination of three years work going back to my tenure as residents chair. I am convinced the lights will have a huge impact on traffic movement in Garforth. For example nearby streets such as Ringway and Barley Hill Road have been used increasingly as 'rat runs' for motorists wanting to get to the A63 or the A642 but wishing to avoid that particular junction. Also the wish to avoid this junction has led directly to other routes out of the town such as Town End, Ninelands Lane and Bar Lane becoming ever busier. I would also like to say that without the support of residents such as Carl Norman I remain convinced this work would not have been undertaken. Bye for now, Mark Dobson
10th April - Makins
May I take a moment of your time to update you as to the latest situation at Sturton Grange Farm? As you are aware I have been working with local residents on this issue for several years now. My aim has been to facilitate a long-term solution that will result in the permanent relocation of ‘seasonal agricultural caravans’ away from resident’s homes.
In January information came into my possession relating to a similar case in the south of England where the High Court ruled that not only poly tunnels but also seasonal caravans need full planning permission. I believed this was the final piece in a very long process that would eventually lead to a re-location of the caravans, as planning permission would not be granted whilst they remained in their current location. After many weeks of studying this case the Planning Dept of Leeds City Council have now stated this case will only have a limited impact on how the council view Sturton Grange Farm. Yes, poly tunnels will require full planning permissions but no, this will not apply to the caravans. The reason they give is that the caravans do not change the status of the land as green field. I believe this decision to be wrong. I also believe it does not give due consideration of the facts both residents and I have put before the council.
However this is not the end. I suggest when the council finally encourage the farm to apply for planning permission for the poly tunnels we must vigorously oppose any application whilst the positioning of the caravans housing the workers servicing the tunnels is impacting negatively on residents. I will, of course, let you know as and when this situation develops. Mark Dobson
2nd April Local Charity Football Match
Working with my good friends at Garforth Villa I have recently wrote this press release for them. Please take the time to read it, this should be a great day and it would be great to see you all there..................................
Leeds Heroes Come To Garforth For Charity Match
Leeds United heroes of years gone by will soon be pulling on the white shirt and lacing up their boots again to face a Garforth Villa Coaches eleven for a very special football match.
On the 29th of April at 2pm The Genix Healthcare Stadium, home of Garforth Town, will host this unique game to celebrate the life of Chris Swift, a parent whose eight-year-old son Jack plays for the club. Chris sadly died of heart disease last November aged 36.
Stars such as Peter Lorimer, John Sheridan and Lee Sharpe will all take part to help commemorate Chris by playing the game he loved whilst raising money for the British Heart Foundation. In an act of great generosity HBOS have pledged to match any amount raised on the day.
Garforth Villa Chairman Dave Coates said, ‘ Chris was passionate about his football and we have wanted to organise an event like this for some time. On the day we will have children’s entertainment, a band as well as what we hope will be a cracking game. We would love to see the stadium packed on the day and hope we can raise a fantastic amount of money for a very worthy cause .It will be a fun day and it will be well worth coming along’.
Garforth and District Lions club have offered to marshall the event on sponsor a cup for what is hoped will become an annual event on the Garforth calendar. Lions President Dave Richards said, ‘Helping our friends at Villa to make this a first class event is our pleasure. We hope it is the start of a long and fruitful friendship’.
Also confirmed to appear for Leeds United on the day are Brendan Ormsby, John Hendrie, Neil Aspin, Scott Sellars and Jon Newsome. The match has been put together with the assistance of Garforth Town AFC. Chris Sharman from Garforth Town commented, ‘We are keen to develop our community links and what better way than to pay tribute to a keen Leeds United and Garforth Town supporter in what will be a fantastic day’.
Tickets for the event cost £4 for adults, £2 for children or £10 for a family of two adults and two children. They are available now from East Garforth Post Office, the Co-Op on Garforth Main Street, Garforth Country Club or by contacting Jason Wetherill on 0113 2876734.
Garforth Villa was established in 1970. They currently run teams from Kindergarten right through to U16’s and three Girls teams at U11, U12 and U15. You can find out more about the club by visiting www.garforthvilla.co.uk.
April 29th 2pm, Genix Healthcare Stadium, Cedar Ridge, Garforth.
Mark Dobson. 2007
19th March - Garforth Life
Has anyone had a copy of 'Garforth Life' yet? In it Cllr Phillips proudly proclaims 'CONSERVATIVES DELIVER SKATEPARK-The new skate park on Ninelands Lane will soon be ready for use. Cllr Mark Phillips, who has campaigned tirelessly to deliver this project shad’s am delighted the skate park is nearly ready for use, this is just one of many activities we are hoping to provide for young people'...............................seriously, you could not make this up. He also says you can ring him on his personal mobile at any time. The number he gives out is 07732762021. I suggest you ring him and offer your thoughts.......................Mark Dobson.
18th March Skate Park Update
Please visit www.garforthra.co.uk for online access to lobby the council to address the ongoing problems at the skatepark.Click to see the letter that has today gone out to 300 households on the issue, Regards Mark Dobson
15th March - Foreseeable Problems with the Skate Park
I was disappointed, but not surprised, to see the new skate park covered in graffiti today. As you are aware I have for many months (years actually) been warning the council that this project must be properly managed and guided through what I always said would be a difficult bedding in process.
I called for a joint effort of Youth Services, Police, Residents groups and users to monitor and marshal the scheme. This fell on deaf ears. I wrote 3 times to the Tory Councillor without reply and Parks and Leisure appear to not want to engage with residents on this issue.
Rest assured that, if elected, I will be demanding a review of the marshalling of the facility as a matter of urgency.
Press Release from Mark Dobson, Labour Candidate Local Election Garforth and Swillington Ward.
Despite having had an initial completion date of November 2006 the new skateboard park in Garforth, constructed at a cost of 171,000 pounds, remains unopened and is now falling into vandalism.
Labour’s candidate in the local election for Garforth and Swillington ward said,
‘It is hugely disappointing, but not entirely unsurprising that this has occurred. The project initially went over budget and now has gone alarmingly over the proposed completion date. Eight months after work commenced it is still not fit for use and has become a magnet for vandals. I inspected the site today with Residents Chair Dave Richards. The facility is covered in graffiti and beer cans, plastic bottles and cigarette packets are strewn everywhere. It is simply unacceptable and, frankly, the blame lies fair and square with the city council who have allowed the project to drift. For the last two years I have been calling for a full marshalling team to be appointed comprising of Youth Services, residents groups, Police and young people who genuinely want to use the facility for it’s intended purpose. These calls fell on deaf ears. The councils claims they would be the custodians of the facility appear to have been groundless. Of course we want to see improved facilities for young people and I took the time to meet with users and hear their concerns. The message I got loud and clear was, unless the project was properly policed, genuine users would stay away and the idiot fringe would claim it as their own. I am determined I will not allow this to happen and again call for urgent action from the council. I am also interested to learn if the council penalise the constructors for late completion of the project’.
Mark Dobson
10th March - Postal Voting
Assuming anyone did return their request to vote by post to the Tories I would now advise that, as of Monday the 12th, they should be in the hands of the ERO-details above. I strongly urge anyone affected to ring the ERO and satisfy himself or herself that their postal vote form is safely in the right hands. The guidelines clearly state any third party must only hold applications for up to 48 hours.
For future reference should anyone ever offer to take your completed postal vote away and submit it for you the answer must always be no under any circumstances. Yes, a family member or close trusted friend could post your completed vote, but no one else must have access to the vote before it reaches it's destination. This is not an attack o
any one party merely a simple statement of fact that I feel is always worth reiterating. Mark Dobson
6th March - Postal Votes
Press release from Mark Dobson, Labour candidate Garforth and Swillington ward for the local election of May 3rd
Over the weekend of the 3rd and fourth of March many Garforth residents received a letter from Conservative Councillor Mark Phillips reminding them the deadline to re-register for postal voting was nearly upon us, (6th March). Enclosed with the letter was a blank postal voting application form. This is perfectly legitimate. However the letter urged potential postal voters to complete the form and send it in the prepaid envelope provided. A great deal of these prepaid envelopes were addressed to Elmet Tories in Wetherby and not the Electoral Registration Officer in Leeds.
The Electoral Commission Guidelines on the matter reads as follows..............................
Guidance for candidates and agents: local government elections in England, 3rd May 2007. Appendix F Para12-
Because of the risk of suspicions that the application may be altered and the risk of the application form being delayed or lost in transit, the local Registration Officer's address should be the preferred address for the return of application forms.....
Labour's candidate in the election Mark Dobson commented, 'I have had several calls from concerned voters who queried why their request for a postal vote should be returned to Tory HQ and not Electoral Services. Frankly there is no good reason. The elections office provide voters with a prepaid envelope service and I am disappointed that the local Conservative Councillor has not fully complied with the guidelines his own party only recently signed up to. Bear in mind the applications to vote by post holds sensitive information about the applicant including a personal signature and a date of birth, so I feel the guidelines should have been strictly adhered to' . He added, 'I urge anyone who has returned their application to the Conservatives to wait 7 days and then contact Electoral Services, Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow, LS1 3AD Tel-2476726 to ensure it has safely reached it's intended destination as the Conservatives are only allowed to hold this application for a maximum of two days'.
4th March - Time to Honour a Local Hero
In 1918, aged 22 years, Sergeant Albert Mountain of the 15th/17th Battalion The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales Own) was awarded the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious award for gallantry.
On March 26th 1918 Sergeant Mountain took charge of 10 men and attacked a 200 strong enemy position armed with only a single Lewis Gun, killing half of them. Then with the remaining four of his party he held a 600 strong enemy position at bay for 27 hours.
Albert Mountain finished his working life as the Landlord of The Miners Arms public house in Garforth, passing away there in 1967.
The life and achievements of this remarkable Leeds figure were largely forgotten until Garforth Historical Society decided the time was right to honour Albert with a blue plaque, to be placed on the exterior of The Miners Arms, in his remembrance.
In 2006 the Society, working in partnership with Leeds Civic Trust, erected a plaque in Garforth on behalf of Sir Augustus Walker a son of the town and a World War Two Bomber Pilot.
Local community activist Mark Dobson takes up the story. 'I had read about Albert's achievements and, knowing the fantastic job the Historical Society had done with the Gus Walker plaque, I approached them about the possibility of a plaque in Albert's honour'. I was delighted the Society immediately backed the scheme and, again working in partnership with The Leeds Civic Trust and Scottish and Newcastle brewery, we are hoping to have the plaque erected at the pub in the late spring or early summer of 2007'.
Albert Mountain was born in Garforth 112 years ago. Tracing his living descendants has proved problematic and The Garforth Historical Society would like to put out the following appeal. With the project nearing completion the society are keen to make contact with Albert's relatives to join us on the day of the unveiling. Please can any relative or any person holding information as to the whereabouts of Albert's family contact Mark Dobson on 07974 963280 or via Mark.Dobson12@btopenworld.com
1st March - Issues Facing the City
As you are aware a local election is about electing the person best placed to represent your interests locally but I also think it is worth highlighting many of the issues facing the city, and how our proposed amendments to the administrations budget (all achievable through savings) would have helped make a huge difference to many of our most vulnerable people,
1) Social Services Provision-The administration have closed the Breece, thus denying many elderly and disabled people ( and this was used by residents of Garforth) their only chance of a holiday.
We propose to spend £750,000 to prevent the closure of The Breece and prevent the further privatisation of local care homes. We would have provided extra funding to the voluntary sector (all costs worked out) to plug the gaps left by the Tory/Lib administration and provide free health care for the over 80's
2) Vulnerable People-Under Tory plans virtually every day care centre in this city is under threat of closure.
We propose to spend £200,000 (all costs met through savings) to safeguard the jobs of people who work at such centres (many of whom are disabled themselves).
I would like to concentrate on the extensive cuts imposed on us over the last 3 years by the Tory administration. These include
Shutting hostels for the homeless
Daycare centres for the elderly
Closing The Breece
Cutting help for old people with their meals
Failing to fund women's refuges
Scrapping weekly pay for low paid workers
Spending 1,000's on foreign trips and champagne receptions
Spending 1,000,000 're branding' Leeds
Increasing charges for football and recreation pitches
Increasing burial and cremation charges
And all this in a week when your Tory Councillor makes a substantial grant to a cat charity? I suspect we are not exactly prioritising here! Mark Dobson
25th February - My Meet the Candidate Evening
For fear of beginning to sound like a cracked record one of the key themes of my campaign is that of transparency and accessibility to the electorate. To that end I have arranged a 'Meet the Candidate' evening at the Miners Welfare Hall on the 12th of April at 19.30 hrs. The idea will be to hear my views on how I would like to carry out the role of Ward Councillor (if elected) and to give you the opportunity to have your say as to how you think I can assist you and how you want to see our ward improved..
I have requested (twice) that my main opponent joins me at a similar event to debate the issues but he has not bothered to reply. As I say, I feel you must be accessible, people must know who you are and what you stand for and hopefully this event will help achieve that.
I look forward to seeing you at the event. For more details please call me on 07974 963280. Mark Dobson.
22nd February - Garforth Library Chase Lottery Grant
Garforth Library are currently in the early stages of putting together a lottery bid for funding to enhance both the building and the stock. As part of this process the library require your feedback on what improvements you would like to see in place. Forms are available at the library or via myself so please get in touch. The deadline is the end of March. Thank you, Mark Dobson
20th February Paying for the SkateboardPark
Whilst I share Cllr Phillips enthusiasm for organic produce I feel I must say a word, if I may, on behalf of the fine fruit and veg establishments here in Garforth. It really is not that fair of Cllr Phillips to say '' anyone who remembers what fresh fruit and veg used taste like', as this statement does a huge disservice to outlets on Main Street and Fairburn Drive, both of whom stock excellent, tasty, reasonably priced fresh produce.
Don't get me wrong, I wish the Swillington scheme every success, but not at the expense of shopping locally (a must in my opinion) or by implying the fruit and veg sold in Garforth is inferior. Can I suggest he frequents such establishments before he offers comment?
A few corrections if I may-for anyone who got a letter from Cllr Phillips recently in respect of his information gathering tool, sorry survey, I thought I would correct some of his (many) errors.
Cllr Murray found the money for the skateboard park, not Cllr Phillips, as revealed in a recent Leeds Weekly News article. Indeed the project was 'pushed for', to use Cllr Phillips phrase, before he was even elected! It is the Labour Government who fund the PCSO's along with Local Government not, as Cllr Phillips claims, the Conservative council.
If he highlighted our 'appalling' roads in 2004 why are they getting worse and why, as recently revealed by the BBC, is Leeds City Council top of the list for compensation claims for road users? After three years standards are definitely worsening, it's as simple as that. He lists his 'priorities', well after three years isn't it a little late, he's had three (long) years and done nowt!
I am amazed no one responding to the survey mentioned litter, lack of street sweepers, the street lights, provision for elderly care and everything else the Tories have either removed or cocked up! After three years in office I simply would not have had the nerve to put that letter out! Mark Dobson
12th February - Makins Caravans
Many of you will recently have had a letter from Cllr Phillips claiming that the press coverage of the recent High Court developments that impact on Sturton Grange Farm are ‘prejudicial’ as he puts it. Let’s be very clear about this. How can this be the case when the matter has already been through the High Court and ruled upon? Again he shows he has no grasp on the actual facts and his interventions are both misleading and damaging to a three-year campaign. Of course now his election is looming taking up residents issues appears all the more attractive!
May I take this opportunity to update you as to the exact position? Recently a High Court judge ruling on a similar case in Surrey ruled that poly tunnels used in soft fruit production needed full planning permissions from the local authority. Furthermore Mr Justice Sullivan also ruled that ‘seasonal’ caravans situated on agricultural land in the summer months for the housing of seasonal agricultural workers also require full planning permission.
I believe this ruling has profound effects for local residents and Sturton Grange Farm. Armed with such knowledge local residents, Councillor Tom Murray and I met with Senior Planning officers in Leeds last month. We told them clearly and unequivocally that they must study the Surrey ruling, decide how it effects our situation and ensure Mr Makin applies for planning permission before a caravan is put back on his land. We also pointed out certain caravans were never actually removed.
Furthermore I suggested if Mr Makin does apply for planning residents should vigorously oppose any application to site the caravans anywhere near residents properties. I suggested a deadline of the end of February for the council to assess the situation and approach the farm. I will, of course, let you know if and when this is done.
Let me be very clear. The Conservative-led council in Leeds have dragged their feet on this matter for over three years. They now have a golden opportunity to ensure the situation is resolved to resident’s satisfaction. I believe the council have run out of excuses for allowing this situation to continue. If the caravans reappear on the land in question this year it will be with the tacit approval of the council. This will be unacceptable. However, if elected in May, you have my word I will continue to hold the council to account as I have for the last three years and that I will also continue to work with local people to bring about a solution to this issue.
So, will the caravans be back on the land this year? The honest answer is maybe, but only if the Conservative council fail to act swiftly and efficiently on the information I have given them that could, in my opinion, bring the matter to a speedy conclusion.
Please feel free to contact me on 07974 963280 or via my website www.votemarkdobson.co.uk at any time to discuss any of the above. Thank you. Regards, Mark Dobson
11th February - Meeting People
I was called today by a rather angry (former) Tory voter from Ringway saying he had been visited by Cllr Phillips asking if there were any issues he could assist with and if the person who contacted me would vote for him. I enquired as to why he had rung me and why he seemed s o upset by this visit, his answer took me by surprise. He said 'Why does he want to help me now, where has he been for the last three years'? He went on to say 'Isn't it funny how he's interested all of a sudden with his election looming'. He might say that, I couldn't possible comment!
It has been my really great pleasure to meet many of the people I hope to be representing from May over the weekend. On Friday I attended a Race Night in Great Preston to raise funds for the children's play area and on Saturday I was delighted to be the guest of Garforth Villa at their fund raising dinner at the Holiday Inn.
Meeting and mixing with residents is, for me, what it's all about. If elected I have no intention becoming a Civic Hall politician like Phillips, ward politics should be played out here in the ward amongst the people you represent.
Life will be very busy for the next 12 weeks including, assuming he ever gets back to me, a debate with Cllr Phillips. Now let's be fair here. I have offered him a choice of date, venue, time-you name it. It's only February, even he can't make up an excuse to get out of it, or can he?
I would relish the chance to debate some serious politics with him because, frankly even after 3 years, I have absolutely no idea on his thoughts on, well, anything! I have attended meeting after meeting in his presence and I think at times he has taken a vow of silence. (nothing you could ever accuse me of!)
Anyway, off to Great Preston again on Monday to chair the Crime Panel road show and another busy week in prospect. Bye for now, Mark Dobson.
3rd February - An Invitation to Debate
With accountability and accessibility key strands to my campaign I have today sent Cllr Phillips this letter:
Dear Councillor Phillips,
With the local election soon upon us I would like to offer you the opportunity to debate with me on a public platform in Garforth during the month of April.
I believe, and I am sure you will agree, that candidates must open themselves up to the scrutiny of the electorate. To this end I suggest a venue is arranged where we can both give a short address (say 10 minutes) and then open the floor the Q and A’s.
I am open to suggestions as to a venue and any night is good for me with the exception of the 12th of April. I look forward to your early response.
I think residents should have the opportunity to see both candidates on the same platform and have the chance to hear their views and take questions. I will let you know as soon as I have a response, Mark Dobson
1st February 2007 - He’s Speechless!
I heard yesterday that Cllr Phillips does not intend to take up the offer of a public debate in Great Preston. Of course I could go on about why, and how Cllr Phillips very eloquent comments in print are obviously the work of another, but I will not dwell on it. His decision not to address the very people he then expects to vote for him is a matter for him. I have already said I am still more than happy to meet with Great Preston residents and hope they offer me that opportunity. Accessibility is the cornerstone to my campaign. Residents must have every opportunity to meet and talk with anyone who has aspirations to represent them, it's only fair is it not? Mark Dobson
26th January 2007 - Labour Pick Local Candidate for Wetherby
Wetherby Labour Party have now picked their candidate to go up against Mr Lamb in this years local election-and what a find she is. I am mightily relieved she did not want to stand in Garforth and Swillington!!! Jolene Cassell is a politics graduate from Liverpool University who has worked in constituency politics for the last three years. More important than her fine political pedigree is the fact she is a true local of Wetherby and can trace her family back many generations and the family are very well known in the town. You know, a bit like Alan Lamb in Garforth, except for the well known bit.
If Alan is true to his word last year and believes a local person grounded in the community should represent Wetherby will he be telling the good people of the town just that, and to vote for Jolene? Rest assured Alan, we will be!
I predict the closest election in years in that ward and it will make fascinating observing.
20th January - School Repairs and Eloquent Arguments
Great news yesterday with the announcement the Council are finally going to release 900,000 pounds of Government money to fund essential and overdue work at Great Preston Primary School. I feel it is sad that this scheme was delayed last year when the Tories rejected Cllr Murray's budget amendment that would have seen the work completed by now. A cynic would suggest they have left children in unfit premises for a year as yesterdays announcement ties in better with a certain someones re-election attempts? As the late Tory Alan Clarke used to say, 'That's politics baby'!
It was a pleasure to attend the Civic Hall on Wednesday, not often you say that, to see the 'Mayor for the day' and the deputation of young people from the Community College who attended full council to speak on disabled access issues in Leeds. Concise and eloquent are terms that spring to mind for the arguments they put forward and I congratulate them all. Mark Dobson
14th January - Dirty Tricks
If my latest missive comes across as a little angry it is because it is, and I am! Once a Tory always a Tory! After the bashing I have had by various Tory tub thumper's night upon night in the YEP clearly Councillor Phillips wants a dirty campaign, well he will not get one. Instead I will use forums such as this to expose him and his Tory cronies as the charlatans they are, but without the hurtful name calling they are subjecting me to via the media, it ain't big boys and it ain't clever! Next they will be saying their Dad is bigger than my Dad!
I was interested to read the comments of Alan Lamb, but confused why he is still around, I thought he would have found someone to lodge with in Wetherby by now, a tactic he employed in Garforth to great effect last year when he was pretending to be 'the only local candidate'. However if the webmaster wants to keep accepting his entries that is a matter for him, not me!
Moving onto Alan's comments, I would also like someone (anyone) to list all this hard work Phillips is supposed to have done. When he is busy (rarely) it has usually been on behalf of say, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority organising meetings to promote fire service cuts or supporting big business on phone masts raking in thousands for the Tory council or spreading falsehoods on the prison or cosying up to Mr Makin, I could go on. If that is his idea of working hard he can keep it! However all this can keep, he will be given several chances to join me on a platform I am sure and then residents will have the chance to make an informed decision, a prospect I relish.
I hope Alan does not work too hard for Phillips as he claims, not for my sake but his own. You see Alan has a problem. All the 'I think it is important to represent the town you grew up in' or 'I am the only local candidate' baloney he subjected us all too last year might just come back to bit him on the backside. I suggest, although I am speculating, all the other parties need do is find an intelligent, articulate, GENUINELY local, high profile person, maybe even a local campaigner who is rooted in the community over several generations and it's game on! We may have such a person in mind, we may not. I could not possibly comment, but I suspect a lot of fun times lay ahead. For the first time in years Wetherby ward will have a fight on it's hands, believe me. All the good work Colin Burgon has done over the years in that ward with many local groups is about to bear fruit big time, watch this space!
I was also disappointed the Tories yet again reverted to type on the matter of their selection for the new general election seat of Elmet and Rothwell constituency. Yet again we have a southern middle class male. Why not just run poor old Millard again and be done with it? I know a few Tory activists in Garforth who wanted to follow Cameron's A list strategy, a bright local male or female being the order of the day. Heavens no, a Yorkshire man or woman contending a Yorkshire seat? The very idea, it's positively ludicrous! Seriously don't the Tories have anyone genuinely local? Millard, Shelbrooke, Phillips all with accents that wouldn't be out of place on Albert Square. Why do we keep having these people inflicted upon us?
So there we are. A few home truths for our friends from the Home Counties. I will finish on this note. So far Councillor Phillips you have got off lightly with me. I have always believed your own sad record will be enough to remove you from office, but take heed. If you want to run your campaign in such a tawdry fashion as the letters page of the YEP, all you will do is spur me on to raise my game even further. I will see you on a platform in front of residents very very soon and then we can have a proper chat?
Stop Press- Good news today in the form of assurances from Councillor Les Carter that the Tories have had a change of heart when it came dumping a money spinning Travellers camp upon us. I congratulate new GRA Chair for raising the matter and pursuing Cllr Phillips so vigorously for the straight answers we were all seeking. The fact Phillips has had to back track and scuttle round issuing denials shows me what we knew all along, the Tories had every intention of dumping the site on either us or TempleNewsam. One word of caution, if they intended to do it to us once, they may come back. Whilst this is a great result for residents I suggest we never relax our vigilance where this bunch is concerned. Mark Dobson
11th January - Going to the Candidates Debate
At last nights Ward Forum I was approached by Great Preston Parish Council who asked if I would be prepared to take part in a 'Candidates Debate' in Great Preston Hall during the month of April. Yes, of course I would. The gentleman involved expressed the view that the two leading contenders should have the opportunity to put their views/policies before the electorate and then field questions. As I say, accessibility to the candidate is a key strand to my campaign. I understand Cllr Phillips was less keen, but I am convinced that in the interests of progressing the debate and local democracy he will agree. The date/venue are yet to be fixed. I genuinely look forward to meeting you all.
On an unrelated matter, who has had 'Toryboys4life' or whatever it calls itself? This is a glossy mag coming your way soon! In it is pictured our very own Councillor Phillips with a local resident singing the praises of the new street lights. Delighted as I am he has managed to find a satisfied customer, why was he less keen to meet with the dozens and dozens of residents I dealt with who had problems? Maybe he can tell us in April?
Finally has anyone followed the number of letters, Sat, Mon, Tues (I got off on Weds) attacking me in the pages of the YEP. I am not particularly bothered as it is the usual suspects plus Tory stooge A Turnbull of leafy Shadwell. What I believe is to attack me night in night out proves one thing , I have 'em on the run. Let's see if they are as good on their feet in April as they are composing poison pen letters! Bye for now, Mark Dobson
7th January - A Bigger and Better Welfare Hall
Along with Colin Burgon MP and Councillor Tom Murray I was invited to Fridays grand opening of the extended Miners Welfare Hall on Garforth Main Street. Run by the fantastic volunteers who are the Garforth Community Association the Welfare Hall is, in my opinion, one of the jewels in Garforth's crown. Along with Firthfields it must be one of the most used buildings locally. Users include everyone from the Crime Panel, playgroups, public meetings, Lions Events, spring/summer/autumn fairs, Am Drams and the Musical Society. They all find a home in the hall.
Due to the relationship built up between the GCA and Councillor Murray over many years, and the funding he has helped secure, the GCA quite rightly asked Tom to open the new improved facility. As former Chair of the GRA is was also delighted to be invited and I am looking forward to seeing my many friends there who all work so hard to provide this essential service to the public of Garforth. Well done and congratulations to them all. I wish them every continued success in their (improved) home.
Did anyone see a letter from Councillor Steve Smith in Saturdays YEP in reply to an earlier letter of mine? In my letter I expressed my concerns regarding the Tory/Liberal/Green alliances incinerator. I use the word 'incinerator' as the 'energy from waste facility' as described by Councillor Smith may confuse, so let's stick with incinerator shall we? He suggests that the incinerator will burn, and I quote, 'a residue, however small, which cannot be recycled'. Does this mean that Leeds will not become the centre for the regions waste disposal from both other local authorities and industry as is feared?
Of course what Councillor Smith, yet again, failed to mention was the actual location of the incinerator. I would hate to think that the Tory/ Liberal/Green alliance are progressing such a project as an 'energy from waste facility', sorry-incinerator, without the first idea as to it's location?
If Councillor Smith, or our own Councillor Phillips who supports the scheme, can offer up answers to either of these points I would be most grateful. To conclude, I hate to contradict Councillor Smith but other solutions are 'practical' and are 'timely'. May I suggest Councillor Smith and other interested parties visit www.noleedsincinerator.org for details?
Mark Dobson
4th January Trumpet Blower Attacked
Did anyone see the really amusing piece in tonight's YEP, 'Trumpet Blower Attacked'? I had to smile. Who was this trumpet blower I wondered, and what form did the attack take? Herb Alpert, Miles Davis even Kenny Ball all sprung to mind, but no it was our own Councillor Phillips!
Evidently every time any money gets spent by the area committee in our Ward up pops Phillips and takes credit for it. I was aware of this, but considered his rather desperate attempt to raise his profile as just that-desperate and not worthy of comment. Clearly others disagreed. First the Christmas Luncheon Clubs (funny, when I was there as a volunteer I never saw him at any) and now regarding the Arts Festival and Phillips claiming 6,000 pounds of funding was secured. Actually this is serious. Up to, and I repeat, up to 6,000 will be made available once, and only once, the Arts Festival Committee offer up concrete proposals on spending.
I obviously support the Festival running, as I have for the last two years, the bar at the finale, so for loose talk to jeopardise negotiations is not that funny really! Remember his last leaked announcement that funding was in place for a flooding survey in West Garforth? Wrong! Negotiations with DEFRA (who were far from pleased that Phillips jumped the gun) are still underway, but why let the facts get in the way of a good bit of press? Phillips leaks more than a sieve, that is a matter for him you may say, but when he can potentially screw up delicate negotiations I suggest that is a matter for us all?
If elected in May I will never forget the golden rule, never pat yourself on the back and take credit for the work of others. Work with community groups and others, assist them and serve them in any way you can. Carry out your public business in a mature manner, serve and do not self-serve, and never hunt down the next headline grabber at the expense of others.
Mark Dobson
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