‘Pot and kettle’ comments will not cause resignation

10:22am Wednesday 4th July 2012 in Letters

I WAS somewhat surprised to read in last week’s Packet a letter from Diane Merrett requesting that myself and two other Cornwall councillors resign.

It appears that the reason for her request is that her view of Article 4 is different to ours. I always thought that in this country a person has a right to an opinion. Obviously Ms Merrett does not agree.

I also find the heading of the letter “Do the decent thing and resign” a little surprising as Ms Merrett in her role as a town councillor has twice in the last two years been suspended from council as a result of her treatment of the public!

In addition to which she was caught passing on confidential information to a suspended member of the town council staff against the instructions of the council. Did she resign? Pot and kettle comes to mind.

Apart from her obsession with rubbish, students and their accommodation, what else does Cllr Merrett do? Recently at a meeting where it was reported that the university had been broken into, she was quick to respond “well they deserve it”, how is conduct like this representing Falmouth Town Council permitted by the mayor and the rest of Falmouth Town Council?

She is quick to condemn but never gives praise where new business opportunities are being created within our town.

Come on Diane change your attitude, stop looking for the bad in people/businesses all the time. We should be rejoicing that they are looking to invest in our town. I am proud of what I have achieved – using my ward member budget to support local projects to ensure growth and continuity, organising the new tree root surface areas around the Moor to prevent tripping hazards, plus many other highways and planning issues in various areas of the Arwenack Ward, just to name but a few.

Should I really take Ms Merrett’s advice? I don’t think so.

Councillor Steve Eva, Falmouth Arwenack Ward

Comments(36)

Zella says...
12:01pm Wed 4 Jul 12

It is good to see a councillor defend himself against an undemocratic suggestion that he should resign.

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falmouthborn says...
3:40pm Wed 4 Jul 12

I hope Councillor Eva doesn’t resign. He and his wife have cost the rate payer enough when they resigned from Falmouth Council. We don’t want to waste anymore money on him.

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democracy4us says...
7:36pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Matters not whether Messrs. Eva and Varney resign now! Come next may the people of Falmouth will have their say and do the job for them... and good riddance!

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ucsweb says...
3:22pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I am somewhat surprised by the attitude of some Councillors. I always thought they were elected to represent the people that elected them. Not to impose their own personal opinions on the public. If they cannot support and represent the people that elected them because they think their personal opinions are more important perhaps they should not be on any council!

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Poldark says...
10:06am Sat 7 Jul 12

I must say that the letter on this page is very similar to the one printed by PTBAF, on last weeks letter page!!
Hmm!! begs the question.
I think Cllr Eva protests to much, only rubbish issues occupy DM he says' pity he doesn't listen to the people who elected him it seems to bother them! or the Article 4 which would help them if it were enforced.She is doing his job without being paid the monthly money he recieves
He can hardly point a finger at DM we all remember him throwing your toys out of the pram whist in FTC.

The ballot box will soon determine the new councillors I can't wait!

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Joshah says...
3:22pm Sun 8 Jul 12

I write to say, that I am disgusted at some of the comments sent to this site. Re Dianne Merrits letter to the Packet. First of all, if any one is in doubt about the suspension, that ex Councillor Elliott stated, Can I suggest that he was quiet right. She was suspended twice.I would suggest that they look further into the matter, and admitt thier error.
Can I also suggest that Dianne Merrit could not do Counciller Eva's job. Her unproffessional attitude when dealing with the public, would cause accromay. Which she has alredy done.
Therfore can I say that I agree with Mr Elliott's comments.
She should be ashamed of her self.

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Zella says...
3:58pm Sun 8 Jul 12

Her two suspensions are correct, anyone can google them. Three months in 2010 and two months in 2011.

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falmouthborn says...
4:04pm Sun 8 Jul 12

can find one wheres the other?

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Zella says...
4:23pm Sun 8 Jul 12

They came up on the West Briton articles. You have to go back quite some way through the Google options under Diana Merrett.

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Zella says...
4:31pm Sun 8 Jul 12

As far as I am concerned, with this issue, it does not matter whether she was suspended or not, or how many times. The issue is that she had no right to tell other councillors to resign just because they hold different opinions from her. It is undemocratic and completely unjustified. My personal view additionally is that any councillor that has been suspended once, should no longer be able to serve as a councillor if they do something which would warrant a second suspension.

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falmouthborn says...
4:51pm Sun 8 Jul 12

been through google, can only find one suspension. went on falmouth town councils website, still only find one suspoension

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Zella says...
5:10pm Sun 8 Jul 12

Try West Briton archives, it said on Google they were West Briton articles.
It definitely said 2010 3 months suspension 2011 2 months suspension.
Plus, I cannot believe that both Cllr Steve Eva and Barrie Elliot would write something in their letters that was not correct.

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Zella says...
7:08pm Sun 8 Jul 12

West Briton Nov 25th 2010.
Cllr Merrett accepts a three month committee ban after unacceptable behaviour. According to Google.

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Zella says...
7:44pm Sun 8 Jul 12

Incidentally, I apologize if I have made it sound like I doubted the accuracy of all the content of Councillor Steve Eva's letter.

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falmouthborn says...
7:38am Mon 9 Jul 12

Sorry to be pedantic Zella, but a life time in accountancy has made me that way. Councillor Merritt, made the decision to stand down from committees, according to the minutes of the council. The word suspension was not mentioned.
One thing is for sure even if she was suspended 20 times, she will still beat Councillor Eva in next years election

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Zella says...
8:27am Mon 9 Jul 12

falmouthborn, whether or not it was classed as 'suspension' does not alter the fact she was asked not to attend meetings for three months due to her unnaceptable behaviour. Therefore what is the point in having a councillor that cannot attend meetings due to the fact that they cannot behave in an appropriate manner. Politeness and respect for others costs nothing.

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Zella says...
8:34am Mon 9 Jul 12

Incidentally, as I have previously said, as far as I am concerned, whatever Cllr Merrett has or has not done, the issue is, that in my opinion, she had no right to expect three other councillors to resign just because they differ on viewpoints.

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Poldark says...
9:58am Mon 9 Jul 12

OH Dear Zella, such a lot of knowledge about suspensions and where to look, you protest far to much in favour of Cllr Eva you seem happy to dish the dirt regarding DM.
She will get my vote and a lot more for the wonderful job she is doing in her ward she is always there, which is more than can be said for Cllr Eva.

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falmouthborn says...
10:18am Mon 9 Jul 12

Zella you have made accusations which are obviously wrong, have the good grace to say sorry.

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Zella says...
10:41am Mon 9 Jul 12

falmouthborn, I apologize if it was not classed as a 'suspension' and I was wrong on that point, however, I personally think that inappropriate and abusive conduct, as categorically stated on the website, is not conducive to the making of a good councillor. I believe additionally Cllr merrett is wrong to expect three other councillors to resign.

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Zella says...
10:57am Mon 9 Jul 12

Poldark, I suggest you have misunderstood my opinions on the subject. Hence the reason possibly, why you asked if I was married to a councillor in one of your previous comments. As far as I am concerned, it is not a case of protesting in favour of Cllr Eva,or indeed to be critical of Cllr Merrett's past actions, it is purley a case of what I see as an injustice in the contents of Cllr Merretts letter, in which she states that three councillors should resign. I believe it is wrong to expect other councillors to resign on the basis that they hold different opinions from oneself.
I additonally suggest that we agree to disagree on this subject.

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DCI Jen says...
11:29am Mon 9 Jul 12

Both letters from Cllr Eva and Barrie Elliot use the words suspension, so how confusing is that!!

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DCI Jen says...
11:45am Mon 9 Jul 12

The university is there to stay like it or not and with it comes students that need housing.

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democracy4us says...
12:56pm Mon 9 Jul 12

DCI Jen wrote:
Both letters from Cllr Eva and Barrie Elliot use the words suspension, so how confusing is that!!
Perhaps they think that by causing confusion and muddying the waters it will serve Cllr Eva & co well next May!

Well it ain't confused me and like others here, I can't wait for the people of Falmouth to have their say in the ballot box and vote for those who've worked for us without financial reward and self interest.

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Joshah says...
3:11pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Dianne Merrit,Was not professional, in her letter to The Packet, concerning the resignation of the three Councillors. But then, being professional has never been her strong point. Regarding DCI Jen's comments, I do not consider that any one is trying to confuse any one. But mearly stating the true facts. If cllr Merrit,wishes to act in a none prossional way, by calling for Cllrs to resigne,then she must accept as usual, she is the one that has acted wrongly. In her time as a councillor, For almost 5 months she has been unable to represent her constiuents,jn council. Obviously if that is what they want, in Arwenick Ward a part time councillor, then of course they will vote for her. After all it takes, all sorts, for that is what being demoratic, is all about. However in my opinion. ex Cllr Elliott, was quiet right in taking up his response to D.Merrits letter. She by being an elected member of Falmouth council, should realise that she in council, is representing not just Arwenick Ward, but all of the people in Falmouth. Some Eighteen Thousand people as a whole. These people deserve better then this type of behavour. I also say Cllr Eva, was quiet right in responding the letter. That is his democratic right.

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DCI Jen says...
3:15pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Not much point going round in circles on this debate because we all hold different opinions and we are all entitled to our opinions, but as one last thought, if all those councillors resigned that Ms Merrett suggests, who does she suggest would take their place. Where are all these people that will stand at the next election.

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DCI Jen says...
3:34pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Joshah, i posted my last comment before i read yours. I did not mean the letter writers set out to confuse people, i simply meant i was confused because people on here kept saying she wasn't suspended twice and in the letters it said she was. That actually makes no difference either way, because you are quite right, it is unprofessional of Ms Merrett to ask other councillors to resign. I agree with you and Zella, the fact is Ms Merrett should not have asked other councillors to resign, end of story.

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Poldark says...
7:38am Tue 10 Jul 12

Why should she not ask them to resign DCI Jen, it's still a democracy lord knows she has been hounded long enough!!It's still democracy, obviously with your statement on the Students 'they are here to stay' you are not going to agree with Cll Merrett, she sees it in a different light, from the ' I'm alright Jack's' she wants Falmouth to retain the cheaper homes for the local born and Article 4 to be brought in so there is some control.
Don't you agree?or have you an ulterior motive? after all your are Cornish born!!
Cllr Merrett also worked in the ward when suspended, there are also four other councillors working in that ward and she doesn't get paid for it so the public lost nothing, get your facts right. At no time would that ward be without a town councillor.
Joshua do us all a favour Elliot resigned for reasons known only to him and the council so stop the selfpraise, its no recommendation.

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DCI Jen says...
11:15am Tue 10 Jul 12

Excuse me Poldark, you tell me to get my facts right! where in any of my posts have i stated anything that is not factual?

Ok so i agree with your point Ms Merrett can ask them to resign as it is her democratic right to do so, but i think it is unprofessional of her and she shouldn't have done in public via her letter, and likewise it is my democratic right to say that, and also the three councillors right to reply to her suggestion by letter, which one of them has, and that was his democratic right to do so.

In answer to your question do i have an ulterior motive, lol, no i don't have any ulterior motive. You seem to have a habit of assuming the wrong things, like suggesting that Zella was married to a councillor. What ulterior motive would you suggest i have, feel free to tell me, i would love to know.

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DCI Jen says...
11:22am Tue 10 Jul 12

By the way, i doubt very much if the locals looking for homes to buy, would be able to afford most of the ones that the students occupy anyway even if they were empty and on the market.

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DCI Jen says...
11:58am Tue 10 Jul 12

What are Ms Merretts views on the Premier Inn i wonder.

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falmouthborn says...
10:12am Wed 11 Jul 12

DCI Jen has got herself mixed up Councillor Merritt can't be unprofessional, shes not paid, the ones she complaining about are very well paid. She does all her work for the people of Falmouth for nothing. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid let Falmouth down and reap the rewards for doing nothing for local people

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Joshah says...
3:39pm Wed 11 Jul 12

Can I finalise, by saying that one doesn't have to be paid, to be proffessional. The reward is in the standards of one's, behavour and standards of conduct.Which it appears to me she as none. If Cllr Merritt, is to continue this attitude that she has, then she must live with others comments, which after all are as relavent as hers. one question!, although according to some writers, she was working within her Ward of Arwenick. As she was suspended she would not be in a position to fight her corner in the council. Can I finalise by saying that in answere to the question of why did Ex councillor Elliott resign, from Falmouth Town Council. That question should be put to 3/4 other councillors who also resigned. Have things improved since they did?, my information is not. Certainly they are all looking to appear constructive etc, for the General Public. Dianne Merrit is one of these. I suggest that she should consider her position. I will not be writing again on this issue, for I feel that enough has been said already.

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falmouthborn says...
10:13pm Wed 11 Jul 12

Joshah I suggest if you are going to write bad comments about someone, you at least write in English. You comments look like they been written by someone after they had drunk to much.

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Joshah says...
11:08pm Wed 11 Jul 12

"Falmouthborn,
My understanding is that you are totally wrong, concerning, your theory, regarding, Cllr Elliotts resignation. You appear to have a deffinate fetish, with Councillors having a drink problem. Could you please be a little more specific.

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falmouthborn says...
9:24am Thu 12 Jul 12

Joshah what theory have I put froward regarding Councillor Elliot's resignation, none that I know of. You where the person to mention Councillor Elliot liking a drink (Sunday the 8th at 11.55), not me. You seem to know an awful lot about Mr Elliot, I suggest the next time you see him you ask him to publicly declare his intention to stand at the next election, if he is going to.
To quote on old saying talk is cheap, whiskey is expensive

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