ANOTHER WEE ROOM GETS CLOSED BY TDC

Readers will be familiar with TDC's desire to make life difficult for bladder stressed locals and visitors alike by closing our public toilets around the Isle. There is, however, another wee room in the Council Offices that has now been closed.

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The wee room I am referring to is the one that used to be available to the electorate to have a private consultation with their Cllr to discuss sensitive matters. My TDC 'Mole' reports that this very small room has been emptied of basic furniture and closed.  Not surprisingly, this has caused some upset to hard-working Cllrs who now have to find some place in The Gateway/Library to have a private conversation with their ward electorate, presumably in public!

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The surprising aspect, resulting from Strife's enquiries, is that it would appear that our Cllrs were not even consulted or informed about this matter. I find this strange.

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Whilst some 'Ezekiel' Party members wouldn't know what a member of their electorate is,  let alone talk to them, ( if their inability to answer letters or e-mails is a guide), there are some hard-working Cllrs, (Ind, Lab & proper Con) who do and have made use of this private consultation room. Perhaps it would be nice to see our elected representatives at least consulted on this matter?

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I leave you with Edna's thoughts on the subject. She has some odd ideas at times..

"Mr Biggles, my mate Martha, who cleans in TDC, says they 'ave probibly cleared that small broom kubbard of a room art , soze they can bug it and 'erewag on cosy chats wen they let them Cllrs back in. She also says she don't think much of them new carpets; starting to 'ball up' orlready it seams".

INGRID SPENCER ACTUALLY SEEN IN DANE VALLEY WARD!

The third but different glossy from The 'Ezekiel' Party party arrived through the  letterbox this morning amid rumours that 'Our Leader' , no less, was out and about in Dane Valley Ward , 'mob handed'  (his MP and even 'Wannebe Worrow included) and if rumours are correct,  his selected candidate Ingrid Spencer.  At least she will now know where Dane Valley Ward is.

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I am amazed at the collective claims by some of the candidates!

Well if Ingrid introduced wheelie bins to my part of the Ward she must have done this before May 2007 and it doesn't say much that they only arrived earlier this year. As for improvement to street cleaning claimed by 'Your Ezekiel Council ',  Bertie's neighbours took 6 weeks of badgering TDC in May to get the road cleaned ONCE this year; deteriorating standards of street cleaning is the reality but we live in the world of 'New Speak'.

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I was unaware that we had a secretive 'Trinity Research Centre' in Dane Valley Ward that was backed by 'Your Ezekiel Council'. (See pic above)

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Members of the 'Strife' team scurried around the ward, tripping over Ezekiel Party and Labour Party canvassers and leafleteers, looking in vain for this worrying research centre. Edna our tea-lady came to the rescue:

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" Mr Biggles, i fink that centre thing that Mr Ezekiel's Council is talking abart  in that leaflet is The Holy Trinity Church Resource Centre'; not a bleedin Research Centre! Just shows you, dunnit, how they carnt even get that right. Just shows that they are just  wot Mr Ezekiel called that nice mayor at The Winter Gardens."

I did try to tell her that there are still some genuine Conservatives in TDC and that they are not all necessarily the same, but she wandered off muttering something rude under her breath.

TDC'S THIRD MENTION IN 'PRIVATE EYE' IN 12 MONTHS?

The 'Ezekiel' Party in Thanet continues to attract scorn from Private Eye, let alone from the proper Conservatives at KCC!

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Click on the item if you have trouble reading it. This is the third time that 'Rotten Boroughs' has given some space to TDC in the past 12 months. Perhaps it's time for 'Eye' to run a regular feature on Thanet District Council under The 'Ezekiel' Party.

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Rumours reaching my ears are that Bertie may have to find another name for Thanet Conservatives soon. Can anyone confirm that 'Our Leader' intends to leg it towards the sun in the Med in the Spring 2010 as our House Martins, Swifts and Swallows head back to us?

HOW MANY STAFF AT TDC ARE WORKING FROM HOME?

For those who have tried to contact officers at TDC and have either left an answer-phone message that has not been replied to or have been asked to ring back; then often been unable to talk to the officer you wished to,  did you ever imagine that TDC has an agreed 'Home Working' Policy?
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It would seem that TDC is being very reluctant to admit this policy and just how many officers are involved and at what level.  It would seem that any officer can apply to be home -based as a contractual arrangement and that others are involved in 'informal home-working' arrangements.
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The excuse being offered for 'informal home-working' is that this is needed to meet specific deadlines or manage 'work-load' pressures.
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So what is the true situation at TDC?  The tax-payer has paid for refurbishment, new furniture , new carpets and new windows so that staff can work at home?
I have no complaint about highly paid Directors and Senior Managers taking work home after normal working hours and working into the night or at week-ends, many of us have had to do this in the public and private sectors, so why shouldn't they?
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This cosy arrangement at TDC is an insult to hard working and often less well paid Council Tax payers and should be stopped. Can you imagine other public sector workers at the same game? The mind boggles at the thought?

e.g. Where is Blue-Watch today and why aren't they responding to the fire at Dreamland? " All on 'home-working today, Guv!".  Why is Form 8 S  not being taught History today? " Their teacher is working at home today, Head, "   Why is PC Smith not dealing with that fracas at Westgate Station? " It's his day at home, Superintendent!".
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I hope that those who are in business or self-employed in Thanet, will contact their Cllrs and express the outrage and disgust they might feel about our Council employees being allowed to work 'at home'!

UPDATE -THU 26 NOV
I could barely restrain my laughter, this morning.
Yesterday I rang Planning at TDC on behalf of my daughter,concerning her simple planning application. I was put through to the officer dealing with the matter.  He was not in but I left my enquiry with a request for him to ring me, on his answerphone. As I had not received a reply by late this morning, I rang his direct number again and received his telephone recorded message yet again.. I declined to leave a message and instead rang the main Planning Office.  I was told that ..xxx... was not in AS HE WAS WORKING AT HOME! Barely stifling a hoot of laughter, I passed my request for him to contact me and was assured this would be e-mailed to him and that he would then ring me from his home! As yet, still no call from this hard working officer, 'working from home'.

DANE VALLEY WARD - EZEKIEL PARTY IN A MUDDLE?

The door knocking and leaflet drops in Dane Valley continue at a great pace as The 'Ezekiel' Party ( I no longer regard our local Conservatives worthy of their proper title) promotes 'Our Leader's candidate.
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Despite Roger Gale MP out by himself; Cllr Martin Wise doing a solitary drop and even 'Woger' out on his 'tod' without 'Mowice' , the Ezekiel Party seems to be muddled. The Biggles' have had two identical leaflets and reports are coming in that some streets have been lucky enough to get no less than THREE identical 'Ezekiel Party' leaflets! The Labour, Lib Dem and Independent leaflet droppers seem far better organised. Bertie would be pleased to hear from anyone who has received more than 3 'Ezekiel' Party glossies.
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One would have thought that those running TDC might have been better organised in allocating leaflet drops to streets and preventing waste of resources, but on the other hand . . . . . . . .!

EUROFERRIES -UNABLE TO BOOK UNTIL 1 MAR 2010

Having seen ECR tonight ( www.eastcliffrichard.blogspot.com) and the news that Euroferries might not be starting until March 2010, Bertie tried to book a Bonanza Express crossing on their website. All dates from Nov 2009 to end of Feb 2010 came up with the same response - 'no sailing available'.
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However the site shows 1st March 2010 has a crossing available!
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I wouldn't want to move the BE across the Bay of Biscay at the present time but one does need to ask the question as to whether Fred Olsen's reported deadline was met and are we to see the BE have its Euroferries logo painted out again? It seems odd that this saga will have rattled on for a year by the time we hit March 2010. The Euroferries saga with Spirit of Ontario and the town of Rochester, USA went on for almost as long.
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In the meantime, Gusseppe (pictured above) down at Ramsgate, has a new sign. " Don't be let down for that short Christmas Break by Euroferries - Guiseppe's will get you to Boulogne sooner than they will, even if you have to help bail out !"

BRADGATE CARAVAN PARK - A FUN PLACE TO BE?

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I hope Bradgate Caravan Park does not mind me 'borrowing' pictures from its web-site. Bertie had not realised what a thriving place, Bradgate Caravan Park is, over at Lydden and about to have more 'holiday homes' than the homes in the village of Lydden, courtesy of TDC Planning Committte, contrary to TDC Planning Officer's advice.
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Please visit their web-site on www.bradgate.co. uk . At present, they show 16 mobile homes for sale ranging in price from £10,000 to £66,000 and if you want to ring them please do so on 01843- 833207.
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The season at Bradgate runs from 1st March to 17 Jan each year and one can be fully resident for 10 1/2 months of the year without paying Council Tax.
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What caught my eye and tied in with recent gossip, was that it has an 'excellent Club, with a pub atmosphere'. The Club is open from Thursday evenings to Sunday lunchtimes and I am told that the best night to be there is on a Saturday night, when " Bingo is followed by our own special disco."
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I have yet to go and experience a cracking disco at Bradgate and do not know if The Club is open to non-residents unless as an invited guest. Rumour has it that all sorts of Thanet's finest frequent this quiet countryside retreat with its 'Pub' atmosphere on saturday nights and that the disco is most enjoyable and professional. Must ask them who provides it as we have some serious anniversaries coming up shortly and whether the 'Biggles' tribe can descend en masse for a private function.
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I would delighted if anyone can tell me if 'The Club' is as good as I have heard and if the Saturday Disco is as good as reported to me. Having clubbed in Ibiza, Bertie feels that a good 70's and 80's disco can't be beaten and not many of them around these days.

EUROFERRIES - TICKET BOOTHS AND CASINOS

What interesting pics we have been shown this week by Adem (Big Blog) of ticket booths on backs of lorries and by Michael (Thanetonline) of the same ticket booths placed on the deck in Ramsgate. Are we to assume that having missed 3 deadlines to start the service from Ramsgate -Boulogne, Euroferries have convinced TDC that they will be starting their service soon? Unlike our own Isle of Thanet Gazette, who reported last week that the service was due to start TODAY, it would seem that Strife reporters can only book at the earliest for next Thursday (26 Nov). I am sad to say that such is the scepticism in the 'Strife' nerve cell, that no-one has actually booked a crossing yet. Can you blame them?
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Having sent a 'pirate' to Boulogne I can show you pictures of the new Casino on the Gare Maritime in Boulogne together with the LD Lines notices stating that they have 'buggered off ' to the rather swish new 'Hub' Terminal at Boulogne; presumably leaving the rather tatty Gare Maritime to Euroferries?


Sources tell me that TDC have had booths and kit for some time to place on the deck at Ramsgate but clearly didn't put them down in readiness for the previous EF grand starts of March?, August? or 14 Nov. So has TDC now received some money up-front to put facilities in place?
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I leave you with news that Euroferries has issued yet another 'press-release' today. Its all rather vague and with the BE still in Santa Cruz, Bertie is not surprised that EF are being pretty un-informing. I thought you issued a 'press release' when you actually had something to say? Clearly not, as far as EF are concerned: make of this important news what you will:
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PRESS RELEASE
19.11.09
For immediate use


Euroferries back on track
Euroferries would like to apologise for the delays that have occurred in
bringing their fast ferry service to the ports of Ramsgate and Boulogne.
The company would like to reiterate that all passengers that had booked and
were affected by the delay have been fully refunded and offered a free
upgrade to first class on future bookings.

Euroferries travel service looks forward to delivering unrivalled crossing
times and superb facilities for the channel crossing including free European
8 day travel insurance.

A further Press Release will be made soon.

For booking information please go to the Euroferries website at:
www.euroferries.co.uk
For customer service please call: 0844 414 5355
ENDS

What worries me is this from Euroferries website at www.euroferries.co.uk :
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"Euroferries IS (my capitals) the leading fast ferry operator on the English Channel between Ramsgate and Boulogne. With our high speed wave piercing catamaran, ‘The Bonanza Express’ we provide the fastest crossing available of only 75 minutes."
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What an amazing claim to make when you have not even had a ferry you own/lease /rent , cross the 'ogin' from Ramsgate to Boulogne yet! Is this not a mis-leading statement? Is this not worthy of complaints to Trading Standards or The Advertising Standards Authority?

AT LAST, AN ' EZEKIEL' PARTY PAMPHLET !

Bertie was wondering when the 'Ezekiel' Party candidate's leaflet would arrive. It has now done so. She calls herself, 'Your conservative' candidate but as readers might have gathered, Bertie does not consider we have a proper Conservative Party at local level in Thanet, and in reality she is Ezekiel's choice. What I love is this snippet from the glossy:
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'Ingrid is committed to the provision of decent and affordable housing and believes in good quality homes as a basic right.'
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Has she failed to look at her Ezekiel Party's ideas about Eurokent becoming a rather prestigious estate for aspiring people rather than employment land? How many good , honest hard-working young families in Thanet can afford what the 'Ezekiel' Party have in mind there? £250,000 to £300,000 houses?
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What I found strange about this leaflet though, was the poor chap delivering it. In the dark of the night a lonely true Conservative Cllr who has incurred the wrath and ire of the 'Ezekiel' Party was delivering Ingrid's posters by himself; I of course refer to Cllr Mike Jarvis who will certainly have my vote in 2011 because he is a man of principle and integrity.
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Where have been the rest of the motley 'Ezekiel Party' crew and even Ingrid herself? Do they really believe that they have the divine right to be elected and therefore do not need to make an effort? I am surprised that Roger Gale MP tries to make Ingrid's support a national matter; he says on her glossy:
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"you can send a clear message to Gordon Brown to tell him his time is up. ....PLEASE cast your vote for Ingrid Spencer".
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He clearly fails to grasp that the stuff she claims some credit for in her 'glossy' are actually Labour Govt initiatives funded by a Labour Government!
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I leave readers with the latest from Bill Furness to arrive through the letter-box. He makes the point admirably that our local 'Ezekiel' Party Cllrs and Ex- Cllrs in Dane Valley ( with the exception of Cllr Mike Jarvis) have let down the electorate they are meant to represent.(Please click on the pic to read it!)

WENDY ALLAN - DANE VALLEY'S INDEPENDENT CHOICE

It might not be as glossy as Sandra Hart's leaflet, which was,I must say,very impressive, but I was delighted to see that Wendy Allan and her team managed to drop a leaflet through my door today.
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She is very much a local candidate and has been involved in Dane Valley Ward for some time. I like her plug for the Independent approach and would certainly vote for her in 2011 when she has this to say:

"If elected I will be voting for good policies and commonsense politics, but definitely not for party politics."
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The only problem is that if she were elected it would give us only 3 truly Ind Cllrs; I still feel at the moment that Sandra Hart (Labour) is the best bet to oppose Thanet's 'Ezekiel' Party until 2011.
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On the subject of The 'Ezekiel Party', still no leaflet or contact from The 'Ezekiel' Party candidate, ex Cllr Ingrid Spencer, who Tom King ousted out in Westgate in 2007. Is this because there will be a last minute effort closer to 3rd December or an assumption that 'tribalism' will come into play and ' the i've always voted Conservative brigade' will come to the rescue?
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A proper and respectable local Conservative Party in Thanet would be something to celebrate and support, but until then, Bertie still thinks Sandra Hart has his vote as the most effective addition to TDC's opposition. However, I wish Wendy good luck and admire her civic committment.

I WONDER WHAT FRED OLSEN THINK ABOUT IOTG?

A Strife Team member was down at Ramsgate Port this morning to see if any poor punters turned up to cross on The Bonanza Express to Boulogne. He has reported back that none did, which is good news. A cynical TransEuropa staff member commented that " of course, no-one knows how many booked in the first place!"

He did report that the chap in the pic above had put up a sign saying, 'Let Down by Euroferries?
Travel with Guiseppe's instead!" and that the photo-shoot for the tax-free shop involved the pulling up of the roll down door at the Old Sally Line and taking a quick shot before it was rolled down again.
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On a more serious note, what are we to make of a report from Santa Cruz (see www.thanetonline.blogspot.com ) that yesterday was the deadline set by Fred Olsen in respect of Euroferries? For those familiar with the history of 'The Spirit of Ontario', deadlines not being met will come as no surprise.
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What might Fred Olsen think though, about this snippet from IOTG this Friday:
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"The company (Euroferries) has so far refused to elaborate on what caused the delay, but sources believe it is due to problems in taking over the ship from Fred Olsen (a long established, professional and world-wide ferry and Cruise Line operator, by the way)! .
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Forgive me for having the temerity to enter any litigatious area, but it seems to me that IOTG have pointed a little finger of blame at Fred Olsen, here. It might not cause much upset at Fred Olsen, unlike Euroferries almost hysterical reaction, as erroneous and unfounded reports last week that Euroferries had gone bust were posted by an 'anon' blogger but of course Fred Olsen are a mature company with a proven track record, many years in the business and have confidence in themselves; they of course know the real situation and have been remarkably tight-lipped; so much so that a grimace might be a better description.
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I should imagine, and this is only speculation, that Fred Olsen painted up Bonanza in a Euroferries livery in preparation for a summer 'deadline' and then painted it out again as that 'deadline' came and went. They then painted it again in Euroferries livery recently and presumably for the 'deadline' yesterday. The paint chappies are probably their own maint team and no great cost was involved with the 'paint on'/'paint off'/ 'paint on' saga.
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One wonders whether 'Manuel and Pedro' will be on a 'paint off' task again?
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Meanwhile, I am told, Guiseppe in Ramsgate Harbour will be perfectly happy to paint his beautifully painted boat with a Euroferries logo without any need for payment by Euroferries.

SO THE TAX PAYER BAILS OUT THE DEVELOPER!

I wonder if The Thanet Times back in July, realised that the 'millions' waiting to pay for Dreamland applied to you and I the tax-payer?

It would seem that Labour's Culture and Tourism Minister Margaret Hodge has approved £3.7 million of tax-payers money to be paid under Labour's Sea Change Programme to help fund ' a project to rejuvenate the town's Dreamland Amusement Park'.
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So beaten up worn out rides from around the country can now be restored by 'amusement park' anoraks; the arsoned Grade 2 Listed Scenic Railway that for 18 months had continued rotting whilst TDC failed to enforce repair or compulsory purchase (despite strong language to do so) can now be repaired and Dreamland Cinema can be given a 'face lift' and all at the tax-payer's expense!
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I wonder how the local Conservative TDC views this largesse as it announces cuts in our municipal services, fails to sweep the streets and closes toilets as austerity comes our way after 12 years of fiscal madness by a Labour Government?
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So it is OK then, to pour public money this way into a site that has been run down over the years; that doubled in value when TDC said it could have housing and retail on half of it; all contrary to advice from a Planning Inspector 5 years ago, who warned the Council that it would possibly be left derelict and 'land-banked' and that it was the prime regeneration site for Margate! He didn't mention arson to sea-front buildings ( that conveniently provided an access from Marine Terrace) or to Scenic Railways, though.
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Perhaps when The Secretary of State comes down next week to claim Political brownie points for Labour and poses for the press with Tory Councillors, who in turn will be claiming more than equal political credit for it, Margaret Hodge might like to consider an abortive 'Ground Nuts' project in Africa under a Labour Govt in the 1950's that proved an equally ill-conceived mis-spending of tax-payers money.
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So if, at the time of boom, a reasonably modern equipped Dreamland attracted 600,000 visitors in 2004 before it was run down, what makes any sane person think that a clapped out collection of rides (I refuse to use words like 'heritage' and 'historic') will attract 500,000 visitors?.
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I suppose I should just be grateful that anything is better than nothing for Margate and if a Labour Govt and a Conservative Council want to waste more tax-payers money, so be it.
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How much healthier for a true Conservative, that the likes of Morrisons refurbish car-parks for their own business and that Tesco gets to grips with Arlington Arcade, all at their own expense.
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As the taxpayer, in various ways, has paid over £20,000,000 in Margate on the Dreamland and TC projects, all we can hope for now, is that it does the job intended. Now where is the nearest public loo?

IS BILL FERNESS' NOMINATION VALID FOR DANE VALLEY WARD ELECTION?

Reader's might be wondering why Bertie's spelling is not up to it; surely it is FURNESS!
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Well not according to the latest Lib Dem leaflet dropped through my door. Although it is a little worrying that the Lib Dems cannot spell their 'Leader's' name in their bumpf.
What is more interesting is the TDC Electoral Officer's acceptance of Mr Furness' address. This is what is shown on TDC's web-site:
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FURNESS Bill

25 Cross Road Isle of Thanet CT7 9HN

Liberal Democrat

Anthony H Flaig

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Whilst its good to see Tony (Big News) being the proposer, what worries Bertie is the address. There is no official address ' Isle of Thanet'. Mr Furness resides in Birchington perhaps , with a CT7 postcode?
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So why put Isle of Thanet? It does seem to obscure the fact that he lives nowhere near Dane Valley Ward and that he is a Birchington based candidate. I am sure it is not a deliberate attempt to mislead but the fact cannot be ignored that Dane Valley voters in December will not see that he is a Birchington chap unless thay are familiar with Post Codes.
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What has surprised me is that the TDC Electoral Officer has allowed this. Is it an oversight? Is it legal in Election terms? If it is not, then has it invalidated his nomination? I hope not, as the more the merrier in Dane Valley, although I still think the best person for the job is Sandra Hart (Labour).

EUROFERRIES - LATEST NEWS & GOSSIP

The team at Strife has grown bigger over the past few days with offers of help from many quarters. Firstly, news from our French reporters in Boulogne.
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They have sent me the two pics you can see of a ramp completed in Gare Maritime a few weeks ago, reputedly, in preparation for Euroferries Bonanza Express. Readers should be aware that this part of the harbour in Boulogne is pretty run-down now, with LD Lines having moved to the new 'Hub'. Could it be that like PRCs images of Ramsgate with multi-blocks of sea-side luxury flats, the French have plans for a similar development at Gare Maritime?

It does seem at the moment that those French chaps in Boulogne seem better prepared for Bonanza than poor old TDC at Ramsgate. Our 'Woger' might like to consider this?
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Other news.
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The team in Ramsgate report that Euroferries seem, via their ticket agencies, to be refunding fares to those who booked for the 14th November onwards. That is good news.
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A Strife reporter has managed today, to book a foot passenger crossing on Thursday 26th November for 08:35 hrs! So, the Santa Cruz Harbour departure schedule of last week showing Bonanza leaving there on 22 Nov, gives it 4 days to get to Ramsgate, get checked out and do its stuff. So 'ferry spotters' can get down to Ramsgate on 26th to see Bonanza get on its way? If you want to talk to Fred Olsen in Santa Cruz, feel free to ring 0034-922-6282000.
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If, like a child who has got fed up with finding its milk teeth under the pillow in the morning instead of a £1 coin, and you have lost faith in the 'Tooth Fairy', you might be interested to hear of the explaination given by Euroferries' press release authors of the press release dated 3rd Nov that failed to arrive with anyone until the 10th Nov. A lady at www.goodpublicity.co. uk had this to say in regard to the 3rd Nov date on the press release when asked by a Strife reporter,
"I can't see properly" - " I put the wrong date in the calendar".
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Really? I hope Euroferries haven't paid them yet!
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Another resesrcher beavering away today came up with some business stuff that Bertie doesn't really understand too well and readers might be able to help out with.
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It would seem that http:/www.ukdata.com/numbers/05883830.html lists some stuff about Euroferries Holdings Ltd, with its office registered in a warden assisted flat in Kingston upon Thames; here are some extracts:
30/10/09 First notification of strike off action in London Gazette (Section 652)
25/06/09 Second notification of strike off action in London Gazette (Section 652)
13/03/09 First notification of strike off action in London Gazette (Section 652)
09/03/09 Application for striking off.
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Bertie is having a whip -round to raise some readies to pay for the fees to find out who is making these Section 652 notifications; it is all so intriguing!
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Edna, our tea-lady (expansion has meant that we can employ her again) said to me today, "Mr Biggles, wot I carn't understand is why these Euroferries people aint advertismentising orl over Thanet in The Fannit Times, The Gazettte , Your Fannit, on KMFM, Invctor and why they aint 'aving a write old knees up wiv, Sandy and Woger and Ladybird darn in the 'arbour to send this Bonanza pussy- thing on its way to Bogloynne on the 26th in some sorta style? My old man orways said, Edna, old gal, you gotta specerlate to acoomoolate"
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How do you answer such a profound question?

EUROFERRIES - TIME FOR TDC TO TELL US WHAT IS GOING ON?

Well what are we all to make of a Press Release dated 3rd November shown below?
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Is a simple chap like Bertie to understand that Euroferries had issued a Press Release a week ago, saying that this coming Saturday's sailing (14th Nov) out of Ramsgate was not going to happen and no one was given it? Was there any info on their web-site a week ago? Did they stop taking bookings a week ago?
I for one, have had enough of dis-information over this whole ferry business. This ferry service has been hailed by and expected by, our Thanet South MP, TDC, The IOTG, many local traders and businesses since the beginning of this year and expectations have been dashed time and time again. The enthusiasm for Euroferries and the arrival of The Bonanza Express has been boundless and at times beyond what common-sense dictates!
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Sorry, TDC and Cllr 'Woger' but a 'no comment' today is just utterly unacceptable!
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We expect and should get a clear statement from Our Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Regeneration and Economic Development (let alone recent responsibility for Ramsgate Harbour), about this whole issue. Perhaps 'Woger' needs to be aware that rumours are circulating that Euroferries did not get Bonanza Express on its way because he and TDC were incapable of organising and sorting the harbour and facilities out, despite bonds having been placed, monies paid to TDC and legal agreements having been signed. If this was not the case, then he should say so and tell TDC's electorate exactly what has happened and why it has all gone wrong, yet again; he does after all represent us all in Thanet as Deputy Leader, doesn't he?
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There are a number of players in this fiasco and whose fault is it that yet another start has been delayed: Euroferries (and their financial backers)?; Gare Maritime in Boulogne?; Fred Olsen Ferries? or 'Woger' at TDC? or could it be Somali Pirates?

EUROFERRIES - NO FERRYMAN TO PAY, IN FACT NO FERRY AT ALL!

What the 'Ferrymen' have to say:

“Euroferries regrettably has to delay the launch on the 14 November launch due to events outside our control.

“Euroferries has promised to resolve this matter swiftly, allowing the service to commence as soon as possible. A further announcement will be made shortly.

“All bookers affected will be contacted by email for a full refund and will be offered a free upgrade to first-class on future bookings when quoting a previous booking number for an alternative date of travel.

“As advised, all reservation monies are held in escrow.
“Euroferries apologises for any inconvenience caused.”

Well, this news does not surprise the team at Strife. This is the 3rd non-appearance of Euroferries in Ramsgate but who is to blame?
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Our own team watching Ramsgate, since last week, has reported that the media are pursuing the story with Glenn Campbell and Inside-Out team from BBC South-East in Ramsgate yesterday and today and Saul Leese of The Gazunder sniffing around this morning.
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Meanwhile TDC and 'Woger' are in silent mode with 'No comment' being the order of the day.
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It's nice that Fred Olsen seem happier to talk to Strife investigators. Their legal department said this morning that Fred Olsen doesn't lease fast cats, which was interesting and a few minutes ago Fred Olsen staff in Santa Cruz confirmed to me that The Bonanza Express 'eez still in the 'arbour' but could not tell me why it was not on its way to Ramsgate. 'You will ave to talk with Euroferries about what is going on'. They seemed to think it was going elsewhere and could not confirm whether it had EUROFERRIES painted on it.
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I am concerned that not only has Thanet been let down by Euroferries but it would appear that many who have booked for holidays will also be let down. Will they get their money back? If any reader has booked and is awaiting repayment, I am sure our local press and the BBC would be delighted to hear from you.
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Is this a TDC cock-up or is it down to Euroferries? How much has this ongoing saga cost Council Tax payers in expenses, travel, phone calls, letters, meetings and TDC Officers' time. Did TDC really carry out a full 'diligence' check into Euroferries?
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I hope this will be the end of the saga and that the Bonanza Express has a happy and lucrative future perhaps with Fred Olsen in calmer, warmer climes. Clearly the treacherous and stormy waters in these parts need a special breed of ferrymen.

EUROFERRIES - HAS THE FERRYMAN PAID ANYONE?

Adem (Big Blog) and ECR seem to have a problem with a director of Euroferries on their case.
My issue this evening is the pics on Euroferries web-site and in last Friday's IOTG and the fact that nothing seems to have been prepared at Ramsgate Port for the ferry service to run in 6 days time.
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The pic above, taken by a Strife staff investigator in the past 24 hrs, shows the facilities at Ramsgate Port for Trans Europa and no sign of a Euroferries set-up. If you visit Euroferries website, you will see a pic of Bonanza Express in Euroferries livery, but you have to realise that the pic was taken in the summer and that the 'Euroferries' bit was painted out again! If info on www.thanetonline.blogspot.com is accurate, Bonanza E has had a very recent re-paint job.
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The pic below shows how other facilities at Ramsgate are ready for Euroferries; steel shutterring and no evidence of the old Sally Lines base prepared with its 'Tax Free' shop for Euroferries
So, ok, Bertie does not wish to speculate about Euroferries backers or its financial position but is slightly alarmed that it would appear from our investigations in the past 24 hrs that:
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1. No dredging has ocurred to enable Bonanza Express to berth.
2. No berth is yet ready to receive Bonanza Express.
3. No preparations are obvious that Euroferries reception at Ramsgate are in place.
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The now redundant site at Boulogne (Gare Maritime) also shows little preparation for a 10 year old Incat ferry to do its stuff there. So what are we to make of this?
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Could it be that TDC at Port Ramsgate has been so incompetent that it has failed to prep up for this wonderful ferry service and that the French across the 'ogin' have been similarly incompetent? Before you suggest that 'How can the French be as incompetent as TDC?', might it not be the case that Euroferries have not placed financial bonds with the relevant authorities in advance to pay for the prep work?
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In other words, it might not be the case of 'Who has paid the ferryman?' but perhaps 'Who has the ferryman paid yet?'. Are we to hear from Cllr Roger Latchford OBE in the next few days the following via Cheryl Prendry at TDC:
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"Despite TDC's positive and pro-active encouragement of this venture and payments received by TDC in advance from Euroferries to get Ramsgate ready, we have cocked up as usual, and there is no way that Bonanza Express can berth in Ramsgate or even get into the harbour. We apologise to Euroferries and all those who have booked on the 14th November that we have failed to sign post, mark out lanes or have a terminal ready despite this service being planned to start in March then August of this year."

MAYOR OF MARGATE VISITS THANET MAGISTRATES COURT TODAY

Some of you may have missed a snippet of Thanet gossip on www.thanetobserver.blogspot.com
on Fri 28 August 2009.
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It would appear that Cllr Ted Watt-Ruffell (CONSERVATIVE), Mayor of Margate, Dane Valley Ward Cllr, Member of Planning; General Purposes;Licensing Board and Conservative Chief Whip is in a spot of bother.
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I must admit to not supporting the idea of Margate Charter Trustees Conservative Cllrs, electing him for Mayor back in May, instead of that excellent Dane Valley Ward Cllr, Mike Jarvis. ( See: http://thanetstrife.blogspot.com/2009/04/time-to-make-mayor.html)
I wonder if Margate Charter Trustees Conservatives are now biting their nails?

It would seem that The RSPCA has brought a case against him, accusing him of causing unnecessary suffering to a kitten. 'Our Mayor' appeared this morning before Thanet Magistrates in Cecil Square to answer this charge.

The case was not heard but adjourned. It would seem that as The Mayor of Margate, he has pleaded that he is too well known by Magistrates in Thanet and has requested a hearing elsewhere. My understanding is that the case will be heard by Medway Magistrates at some date in the future. I trust our local press will keep us informed, albeit long distance, from Medway in due course.
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It is interesting how Margate Charter Trustees describe the Mayors of Margate and their status:
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"At one time a Mayor was, by virtue of his office, a Justice of the Peace and as such was required to take an Oath of Allegiance. This is no longer so but in many places this custom survives and such an Oath is still taken at Margate."

THE SAGA OF TDC's 'SCHMIDT MACHINE'

Readers might need some light relief from the will it/ wont it Euroferries Bonanza Express story, although that said the 'Schmidt Machine' seems to have cost the tax-payer a considerable amount of money. That said, what has the Euroferries business cost us so far?
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My picture shows a 'Schmidt City Jet 6000', one of which, I have been informed by a TDC employee, was purchased in 2003. If you have been fortunate enough to see it operating in Thanet, you will have been looking at £94,000 or so of kit. However, rumour has it that this bit of kit doesn't do a good job; it polishes stuck gum on the pavement rather than removing it and if you are silly enough to stand to its rear you are likely to be sprayed with regurgitated dirty effluent.
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I am interested in this tale because it appears to be yet another example of utter waste of tax-payers' money by TDC. This machine has cost us £15,000 per year so far to operate. It would appear to have been a dubious spending of Regeneration Budget money authorised by the then Cllr Ingrid Spencer( now 'Our Leader's choice in Dane Valley as a candidate), without reference to any Committtee; without following Contract Procedure Rules and without really grasping that staff needed training to operate it.
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Sources tell me it has spent more time in the depot gathering dust than keeping our streets clean, mainly due to lack of trained staff to operate it. If it had been doing its stuff for 30hrs per week for 50 weeks of the year for 6 years, the capital cost would be down to just over £10 per hour now. The real question is, how many hours has it done? This Schmidt machine is more likely to have cost us over £100 per hour for each hour it has actually been operated!
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Is that really a good use of regeneration money?

EUROFERRIES ALL SET TO GO IN RAMSGATE?

With 12 days to go untill the first Euroferries sailing from Ramsgate by The Bonanza Express, a staff photographer dropped into Ramsgate Port this morning to take some pictures of the preparations afoot for the 'dedicated Euroferries terminal'.

All a bit odd really. No signs; no evidence of a dedicated terminal; no reserved Euroferries lanes; no staff running through procedures etc etc. Clearly a lot will have to be done in the next 12 days. All a bit disappointing as we had hoped to report on a Euroferries set up like the Trans Europa chaps shown in the pic below.
Tried to make a reservation and couldn't on line but got flicked to a general ferry ticket site but no mention of Euroferries. I then started wondering.
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Does anyone know of staff recruited to run Euroferries operation in Ramsgate? Has anyone started training? Have uniforms been decided yet? When will the dedicated terminal be ready? Has anyone succeeded in booking a journey? Where is Bonanza Express? Have any plans been made to have training runs across the briney so ferry skipper and crew practice getting into and out of berths and the hazardous business of crossing the busiest shipping lanes in the world?
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As Bertie isn't a jolly jack- tar sort of guy and barely knows starboard from port, he can only assume that the way ferry services get set up is all in a last minute rush or if that is not the case, then is the 14th November going to see Bonanza loading and departing?
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Rumour has it that BBC South East are taking an interest in the start of the service and Maritime affairs at Ramsgate in general, as their Inside-Out Prog visited last spring and chatted to 'Woger' down at the Port. Well we know TDC have had all sorts of odd financial 'goings on', going on, in its Maritime Services in general recently and at Ramsgate in particular, with a major sacking involved but with no explaination, so a continuing muddle is to be expected perhaps. Hope Beeb doesn't ask too many embarrassing questions this time round.
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Off to LD in Dover instead, as they seem cheaper and at least have real ferries up and running; rather glad I couldn't make a booking with Euroferries as I still have nagging doubts; this is after all the THIRD start date so far this year - "Left hand down a bit"!