Being a former Headteacher and, prior to teaching, a police officer, my whole working life has been devoted to public service.
Having been on the receiving end of utterly inept local government as a school leader…. Now is the time for change. The Island and its residents… YOU deserve better!
We can all vote for change in the forthcoming May Council election!
It’s not every day that you can make a real difference – all too often, well-reasoned argument falls on deaf ears, party political self-interest kicks in and …. they crack on shamelessly ignoring the voices of the many…
I’ve therefore decided to put my “money where my mouth is”, and stand for election in Shanklin Central – as a Green Party candidate!
I have been active in the “Don’t Drill the Wight” campaign, both raising awareness of the issues in the local community and holding elected representatives to account for their public statements and decisions.
On the environmental front, I have established a number of school nature reserves to promote the diversity of native Island species; established a student group that presented to government ministers at the National Launch of the Sustainable Schools Alliance in London; organised coastal and inland litter-picks; informed the National Trust on strategies for decreasing dog waste left in some of our local public places; and undertaken various environmental surveys to monitor the health of our local environment.
Both local, and national government should strive to make it easier for us all to make the incremental positive decisions that improve our community and our planet – by equipping us with the necessary information, and by making the best environmental options conveniently and financially accessible.
Complex issues are seldom “black and white” – often it is a case of the balance of benefits and drawbacks, but I would consider all perspectives presented, and would NOT be prepared to sacrifice principles for expediency, but would work cooperatively and collaboratively with all concerned to achieve the best lasting outcomes for all.