Polling day tomorrow… After years of work my team and I are pretty darn ready… But it is close (as I keep saying!) so if you want a lib dem in Rodborough then go out and vote for me tomorrow…
Why should do such a thing?
I have lived in Rodborough for years (8 years at my current address at lightpill) We have spoken to over 70% of the electorate in the past year. I know the issues and concerns you have as only a local would.
We have been working hard for you for many years now and put out the regular ‘Focus on Rodborough’
And we won last May….
If you like our record and want active local councillors representing your interests then please vote Lib Dem…
It would be nice to have some good weather tomorrow… But we can’t organise that!
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel… 3 long years of constant campaign maybe soon to bear fruit? That’s up to the members of the Rodborough electorate to decide.
So got to wait until you make your choice…
Yes I know… Every opposition politician since time began has, at some point, used the above line…
So now its my turn!
Seriously, I think that Stroud Politics has become to entrenched in old dogmas, ideologies and tribalism. I get things done. And I’ll work with people of sincerity and goodwill from other parties if it means the community benefits…
Lets change things in Stroud. The failure of the past does not have to limit our ambition for our home. Climate Change or dog mess and cracked pavements… I’ve heard your priorities over the past few months and I believe only a fresh approach, an energetic approach can make that difference!
I have the energy and I want to make it happen…
Do you want change to happen?
So nearly polling day…
And I have fixed my computer!… which leaves the ’small’ matter of the District Election.
I ready for the fight but the final showdown is yet to come. I already know that people have voted for me. And more people will vote for me! whether or not we beat the Tories who knows?
It is so close!
I have been living in Lightpill for 8 years now and I have spent over half my life in other parts of Rodborough. I love my home town and will fight for your interests at Ebley Mill.
I founded the Rodborough Focus team 3 years or more ago. We have been working for you ‘All Year Round’… And with Christine Headley’s win by 5 votes last year we proved we can deliver…
Problem solving is my trade. So give me your trust on Thursday. Vote Lib Dem and I will not let you down.
I’ve stopped counting down the days now… Win, lose or recount I will accept whatever it is!… But I am hopeful… Christine and I have spoken to so many different people over the last year or so… So many issues and problems that we have tackled or at least tried to tackle!… Which is more than can be said of some of my opponents… (Now Fisk!… don’t get negative…)
I also have hope of fixing the audio drivers on my PC… (A much more straight forward issue…!) So maybe on 2 May I will actually be able to listen to Eric Chapton’s ‘Journeyman’ whilst working on my ‘Thank You’ leaflet!… (I think that will be number 24?….)
I need sleep…
Let me know.
I have knocked on so many doors in the past year or so and spoken to so many different people. Everyone has a different perspective with different ideas and important issues…
I don’t believe anybody can represent a community unless they listen all year round, and then do something about it!
If you think that I have done just that then please entrust me with your support next Thursday…
One week to go.
So many people on the doorstep haven’t made their minds up… But they will vote. Many people have decided and it will be close!… So if you want to have a local, hard working Councillor vote for me!
But I would say that!… I grew up in Rodborough and I live here. I know the issues about housing, traffic, litter and all the other myriad of things that people ask me about. I don’t live at the other end of the Stroud District and I will only say that I work for you all year round because I actually have done so…
But what does the future hold? For me it is getting to the point where I have to surrender a large portion of control of my life to you.
You decide who you want. I’ll be ready.
Very tired and sleepy today. Off to work in a moment.
More Software features to test today… And more people to meet after work. More bits of paper to stuff through doors and…and… not long to go now!…
I know I’m talented (and modest!) but telling, data entry, ‘knocking up’ and delivery all on the same day (Polling day) is not going to be easy!… Maybe I should be in favour of ‘Cloning’ and create an army of Lib Dems in my own image?… er…. maybe not!…
Definitely enough said!
Reading today in the in one of the national newpapers I see that scientists are developing artificial eyes, or atleast devices that can bring some form of sight to the blind. I think it is absolutely marvelous that science and medicine can do things like this…
I studied Physics at university. A very tough degree to complete. I have always love science and technolgy and I do believe that we have the means to tackle the challanges of the 21st century. The most powerful tool we have though is that of our ’Imagination’. Nothing beats a good idea at the right time.
I believe that the time for the Liberal Democrats is fast approaching. We have the ideas for the present as well as the future. With your help we can bring the necessary change to our country and our world.
It is indeed another fine day…
I’m just getting ready for work and putting some thought into the coming days activities. I’m writing test scripts at the moment which, actually, is more fun than it appears.
Politically, I am gearing up for the last lap of the ‘Race’… It is quite heartening to know that many people have ‘already’ voted for me! Postal voting has been underway for several days now. Overall I’m ‘quietly’ confident but I will be happy with the will of the people which ever way they decide to vote.
Lots of Casework to catch up on but that too is fun! meeting people tonight on the doorstep is something else I look forward too… And I think that is al the time I have this morning!
If you read my newletters you will know that a draw a lot of my motivation from my faith.
Sometimes it is good to take stock of ‘The work life balance’… Why do we do what we do!
I work hard as a Town Councillor and I will do the same if elected in May on the District Council. I balance this with my day job as a Software Test Analyst. It not an easy thing to do but I manage it, and manage it very effectively.
Why?
Our soceity is deeply flawed. We do not have to look far to find evidence of this. Homelessness, drug addiction and related activities are on our doorsteps. These are just a few examples. As a Christian I will not just sit in Church and pray about these problems, I have got to do something!
But to those of different faiths or none I just want to add that I respect your beliefs totally… I’m a ‘liberal’ as well as a ‘Liberal‘… what I am saying is that you deserve to know where I am coming form…
Nuff said.
I’ve had a tough week with a major software ‘release’ and plenty of campaigning on top!
But tonight I look back at quite a successful period. I’m not complacent. Things are not completely ’sorted.’ Even with ringing endorsements in the local pub (I wasn’t partaking of the alcohol either!) won’t seal it for me… Every bit of support counts and ‘its not over until it’s over’.
It was cold and wet today on Rodborough Hill. Oh yes! I’ve been out in rain, wind, snow, hail and even the occasional sunny day. I have been ‘banging on doors’ for years now. I am committed to the community I grew up in. Absolutely…
I am not giving away any secrets but I’ve got good feelings about how the campaign may be going…
It is going to be close but the third and fourth parties’ support is, maybe, starting to collapse… Still 2 weeks to go and the Lib Dem win last year was only by 5 votes!… so if you are able to vote in Rodborough on 1 May and you want me to be your councillor then make sure you do vote!
There are still a lot of ‘undecided’ people out there… I am not taking their opinions for granted. I will work for everyone in Rodborough not just those who vote for me. That’s my promise.
At the moment I am extremley busy. I have council work, election campaigning and the small matter of my day job…
But it is going well. I’m enjoying it and I’m effective in what I do. I would like a rest soon though!
There are 100 and 1 things I’d love to do if I had the time. I will one day write a novel (hmm… ) I would love to travel the world and I would like to learn more about ‘String theory’… (Don’t ask!… unless you are into theoretical physics….)
But for now I am concentrating my efforts on getting things done for Rodborough and Stroud Town. More on that subject later…
Be polite!
The trouble with public consultations is that quite often the real decisions have already been made. I hope when I ask residents about issues that I don’t have too many preconceptions.
But it is difficult sometimes to ‘frame the right questions’… And election time is not really the best period to do this…. Too many people think that I am ‘just after their vote’…
I am in politics to serve the people. True it helps if I’m actually elected! But I have to use my own judgement how to serve the folk of Stroud and Rodborough in the best way. I do listen to what people say and I try to ask the ‘right question’ and I must also listen to your questions and answers…. So keep ‘em coming!
There is something quietly satisfying in picking litter… Not sure what it is though!
The Common is a beautiful environment and I hate to see the cans, bottles and junk food (and worse…) scattered around places where children play.
This litter pick was organised by Rodborough Parish Council and as far as I’m concerned was a great success. We picked up loads of rubbish and, hopefully, encouraged ‘community spirit’…
and lunch was provided by the WI and very nice it was too!…
As a Liberal Democrat I am very much in support of ‘communty action’, especially when it involves creating a cleaner environment. So Saturday Mornings work was very enjoyable for me.
Maybe we should be doing more of this kind of thing through out the year? (I have done litter picks before…)
Let me know your thoughts?
Last year we won Rodborough by 5 votes from the Tories…
Its going to close this time as well. Every vote counts!
If you want an active local campaigner who knows the ward inside out (I was born here… And if you can get more ‘local’ than that I’d like to know how…!) you got to vote Liberal Democrat on 1 May.
Labour is not in the running. They came a bad fourth last year and have shown little interest in Rodborough. The Green party has tried its best for 3 contests in a row but failed each time… They would have won by now if they ever were going too, but last year they slipped to 3rd Place… behind the Conservatives and the winning Lib Dem candidate….
Many people I speak to on the doorstep do not understand why there is an election this year in Rodborough. District Councillor Christine Headley is still working hard for you all!… Rodborough is a 2 member ward so I’m asking for your support to join Christine and get on with the job of looking after your interests at Ebley Mill.
So I work for you (all year round) not just ‘claim’ to do so… like certain people might do!
But you have to elect me first… and its very very close!…
Why?
I love technology. I earn a modest wage breaking computer software. When it comes to that estential moment in the campaign when the final touch is need to the leaflets I break the DTP software!
After May 1 i shall investigate alternative vendors… Maybe…?
I do stop working sometimes… not often though.
Today was a normal day at work followed by a much needed rest. Fear not, I shall be back campaigning soon!
I break and sort out software for a living. Good fun but hard work. Its about finding problems and then helping to solve them. It requires good communication skills and personal organisation.
The most important elements in any organisation are the human beings!
but enough of that!… I’m going to catch some ZZZ’s
Out in the cold and wet again today!… on top of a full day of software Testing, but hey I’m tough!
One person was concerned about lcoal lib dem transport policy. Can we connect up all the bits and pieces of the various cycle-paths etc… well maybe… I don’t like making promises I can’t keep… yes in principle I like to think cycle networks could be expanded. I think that pedestrian and cyclists should be able to access the whole of the five valleys safely.
Wallbridge is outside of the Rodborough District Ward but in my Town Ward. I am very keen to see pedestrian access between Rodborough and Stroud Town as part of the “Canal Quarter” development.
So thats one thing I’m involved with.
There will be more lovely leaflets on the way detailing ‘policy’ etc… If you live in my patch that is… and want a good read please do so.
I’m extremely tired and need a nap so that’s it for now from me….
The day of judgement is drawing near!
May 1st will soon be upon us and the voting shall commence… I do urge all potential voters to go out and caste their votes (postal or by hand) because democracy is really about holding your representatives too account (I would say also to make ‘em work all year round!)
My ‘rivals’ have, recently, started to appear. Just should note that I’ve been living, and campaign for, this area for most of my thirty three years… The Rodborough ‘Focus Team’ first started in October 2005… Christine Headley won the ward last year by shear hard graft for local people… I have been working with Christine for years and hope to gain your trust in May (Rodborough is a 2 member ward)
So there you have it… I know people vote for many different reasons. If you care about your local community got out on May 1st (or earlier for postal voting) and put a cross against the party shares your compassion. I believe that party is the Liberal Democrats
I must be jinxed. Three canvassing rounds today and it snowed all three times!
I think its a bit much to ask people to talk on the doorstep in the middle of a blizzard… I eventually gave up and went to the evening service at my church… At the end of which I stepped out of the church and yes, it started to snow again!
Am I being told something?
Discuss!…
Oh yes, there is plenty of dog mess in Rodborough.
A resident reminded me of the allay way between Gastrells and Chandos Road. Full of the stuff! I will attempt to get a dog bin installed. Atleast then there will be no excuse for leaving poo where children travel every day…
nuff said.
Just got in from canvassing. Met a couple who where very concerned about speeding along the bath road.
Its dangerous and its illegal. It’s also not a new problem. If I am elected in May I will be working with the relevant authorities to tackle this potentially deadly habit. I don’t particularly care if the bureaucrats think it is a ‘County’ rather than a ‘District’ issue… It’s got to be sorted.
Back in 2004/05 I undertook a traffic survey along the A46 at Lightpill (near where I live) Its not really surprising to say that many drivers where travelling at above the legal limit.
It is a habit, and it can be corrected. Please Kill your speed not someone else (or even yourself…)
Winter hits back at the weekend if the Met Office is to be beleived.
Which will make campaigning interesting! But no, the cold won’t stop us. I was out in the rain last week and will go out into whatever nature throws at me.
The vibes Im getting from Canvassing are quite positive. A lot of people are not tuned in to the election as it were…. I don’t blame them! But voter turn out will matter this time.
I just hope the cold snap is brief because the more people who vote the better.
How long till I can have a rest? Polling Day is 1st May…. next day I go to the counting of the votes… and induction on the following Wednesday should the good people of Rodborough elect me.
I’m do have the energy thankfully. And running for council takes energy! It also takes commitment and that for me comes from a deep desire to represent the community I grew up in.
I’ve lived in Rodborough and Stroud for a long time. My parents lived in Lower Spillmans at the time of my birth. I care deeply about my home town and surrounding communities. I see public service in Rodborough as being interdependent with the rest of the Stroud District.
I’ve got the motivation, drive or energy to do the job. And when I’ve done a 13 hour day that counts…
