Wednesday, November 05, 2008

THE PEOPLE v THE SNP - THE BATTLE FOR SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL (PART 5)

The stone hard face of the SNP and their council masters was once again on show, this was at the last consultative meeting on the closure of South Primary School which took place at Lochfield Primary. Lochfield will be affected by a large number of children moving there if the closure goes ahead. A large crowd of concerned parents from South and Lochfield were in attendance, and the same road show was trotted out again, the parents once again wiped the floor with the platform trio who are now delighted that that part of the process is over they have stuck it out or, put another way displayed their “ Brass Necks” How they can close this school after going through this process beggars belief but I suspect that they will, they have been hammered into the ground at every meeting by angry parents who are concerned at their proposals to close South Primary.

Parents have quite rightly highlighted the hypocrisy of the SNP led administration who promised reduced class sizes and are actively now increasing them, while at the same time damaging the job prospects of young teachers. It is a complete betrayal of those who voted for them. I hope people remember this. Cllr. Cameron displayed her hostility blatantly at this meeting where the parents from each primary sat on different sides of the isle; she pointedly refused to bring in people from South Primary who were incensed. Not only did she curtail the meeting against the wishes of the parents but she ignored the raised hand of a young woman who sat among the South parents, despite being from Lochfield, this caused Cllr. Cameron to deliberately ignore her. She finally got in and tore strips off the chair for her behaviour and made some hard hitting points, highlighting the fact as I have previously done that at no time did the platform mention the welfare of the children, they talked exclusively about money to the exclusion of what was best for the children, a total disgrace.

The pipes played and the drums banged, balloons were let go and placards waved as the parents, children and opposition politicians, took off on their demonstration march to the Council Chambers on Friday afternoon November 31St. 08 from South Primary. Down through the town to Cotton St. marched the noisy good natured riot of colour and movement which was applauded all the way by the paisley Buddies who witnessed it and there were plenty who did. Pedestrians, shoppers, smokers in pub doorways etc. all gave encouragement, cars and taxis hooted their approval, this was no surprise, education matters greatly. The ordinary people on the street that day do not need to be convinced of that. The SNP however do.

The local paper the Paisley Daily Express also covered the demo. and ran the story with colourful pictures and interviews with participants, the paper and the citizenry are becoming more and more aware of the educational vandalism which is going on in Renfrewshire, ask any teacher.

Something strange also happened that day, the local press, the radio, even the tele. knew about this march. Politicians from Holyrood, Westminster and Cotton St. knew about it and attended in protest along with the parents and kids, the public knew and cheered them to the echo but, there is always a but isn’t there ? guess who didn’t know about it ? well you might not be surprised to know that the following didn’t know, or so they say.

No one from the SNP led administration knew about it Cllr. MacKay the council leader stated he did not know about it. Cllr. Cameron the Education Convener was missing she hasn’t commented and no one from education was seen and they haven’t commented either.

Perhaps they think that if they stick their heads in the sand for long enough it will go away, having met the parents from South Primary I have a feeling that they might be reading that wrong. Everyone should support this school, and help to stop the SNP attacks on our children’s education.

24 comments:

Allan said...

Have you heard of any motive (apart from the obvious one of a cash strapped council) for the closure of this new bright school? I had mused on DFP that prehaps the land would be attractive for developers, even in this ecconomic climate.

Any whispers?

Anonymous said...

Kelly
These Council Officers you bang on about - weren't these people appointed by Labour when they controlled the Council?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Allan) 05/11/08
I’ve heard the land value theory before and it would certainly be worth examining.

But, I am at a loss to explain any other reason for closure of what you rightly describe as a “new bright school” the council’s arguments don’t stack up.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 05/11/08
Who appointed the council officers is irrelevant it’s how the administration works with them which matters.

Here is one example among many but, it’s a perfect one.

Just recently the CEO came to the council and asked for a wage rise of 16.7 % for senior officers, at this time the council workers were going on strike for a rise in line with inflation.

The SNP led administration awarded them the rise, some officers got a rise of £11, 500 a year, more than some of our workers get as their annual salary.
The difference ? The CEO knew what he was dealing with, he quite simply would not have dared to ask a Labour administration for that rise but he knew he could make the SNP agree to anything.

Anonymous said...

Kelly, so the officers were appointed by the previous Labour administration. That makes it very relevant.

Are you claiming that they were good people when you made the appointments, but without the touch of the Labour knout,have gone power mad?
Or could it be that your party made selection mistakes and the poor bloody electorate are now reaping what Labour sowed?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 11:40
I have never commented on whether officers were “good or bad people” it’s you who has introduced that because you have lost this argument.

They (officers) would not have dared approach a Labour administration with such a claim, they knew that they were dealing with an inexperienced, incompetent and spineless administration in the SNP.

Anonymous said...

Kelly
Stop ducking the issue

Labour made the appointments, therefore Labour is responsible for putting these people in positions of power and you cannot possibly claim that 'they dare not......' A rottweiler is never going to turn into a lapdog, or vice versa. The attitude was there when you chose them, had you the wit to look for it.

Was selection made on qualifications, ability and chsracter or did Party Membership play a big part?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 17:50
“Was selection made on qualifications, ability and chsracter or did Party Membership play a big part?”
People who make such accusations anonymously are cowards, that means you.

Anonymous said...

Kelly
Alright, I'll try again, leaving out the part that offends your sensitive nature, relevant though it is.

Were appointments made on the basis of qualifications, ability and character?

And one further question:
Were you on the interview panel for any top Council positions?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 19:30

If it was relevant you would say it in public, if you ever found the courage.

Answers ? 1/ yes and 2/ no.

Now tuck your tail between your legs and crawl back under your stone and quiver. Scots, Wha Hae right enough eh ?

Anonymous said...

Thank you Councillor
If appointments were made on the three heading I suggested, then the Labour interview panel got it badly wrong on the 'Character' bit

Any half decent interviewer can spot a wrong 'un at half a mile.

Your people chose the wrong candidates didn't they?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 06/11/08
I can only conclude that you don’t want to let this go because you know that you have lost. And you can’t face it.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 14:16
Jim, I understand and share your frustrations over the South Primary and I know that many parents are upset at how Cllr. Cameron has conducted the meetings but, I hope you will understand that I can’t print part of your comment.

Cllr. McLaren doesn’t quite scare me.

Anonymous said...

Terry
Labour appointed mice who have turned into ogres
How have I got it wrong?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 17:46
It’s simply nonsense.

Anonymous said...

At least 'nonsense' makes a change from your usual charges of 'homophobia' and 'racism'

Still comes across as bluster though

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 07/11/08
I’ve challenged you to crawl out from under your stone and repeat your accusations in public, what are you afraid of ? I think I smell an SNP rat here.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(David Duff) 07/11/08
“but I was not *speaking*, I was *writing*”

This is not writing, this is typing.

I feel like a teacher dealing with a small child who is desperately trying to impress.

I’m sure that with such an extensive vocabulary you will not need me to explain the word pompous to you.

Anonymous said...

The ignorance of Councillor Cameron throughout the consultation meetings has not gone unnoticed - the eye-rolling, sighing, avoidance of questions and blatantly rude behaviour to certain members of the public was outrageous.

That said, is it necessary to make reference to the behaviour of her family members? I for one am happy to keep this "fight" within the realms of professionalism. The evidence against the Council proposal and the behaviour of those involved is sufficient, there's no need to sttop to the level of family insults too.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 12:41

That writer was an SNP stunt, not unusual for them. Glenrothes has just shown what people can do to an SNP administration and we will do the same when the time comes, meanwhile the fight for South Primary goes on, you are all doing a great job.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 12:48
I agree with you entirely, Cllr Cameron is the elected member not her family. I have already censored references to her family and several times I have refused to print comments which contained such references.
Feelings are quite rightly running very high and she is guilty of antagonising the parents but, there is no excuse for attacking her family.

Anonymous said...

Terry,

Would just like to point out that Our Campaign to Save South Primary School goes on and any views or comments can be posted on :-

http://savesouthschool.blogspot.com

or Visit our Website :-

www.savesouthschool.co.uk

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

Anonymous said...
Hi Terry,

Me think that you have broken Commander McKay’s orders to the troops to "stop bloging". I hear wee Kenny McAllen has been sitting up all night in his End Terrance in Ralston trying to out think you! Don't worry he hasn't been successful.

Good news Labour beat the SNP in the bye Election, Labour on the up, SNP on the way doon.

I attended the meeting in Lochfield School and was shocked by the ignorance of Cameron, I will not ever again address her as "Councillor" she is not fit to hold that office,

More on that later Terry, A standards Commission complaint is on its way regarding Cameron’s activities!!!!

Terry, stay tuned, my fellow bloggers remember where you heard this first, and well done Terry keep it up. Fight the good fight.

Jim Adams.
Friday, November 07, 2008 2:16:00 PM