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    "All options are open" - Caerphilly Independents

    BLACKWOOD Independent councillor Kevin Etheridge said he was overjoyed with the council election results in Caerphilly.

    The Independents doubled their seats in the former Islwyn area from the last election, jumping from two to four, winning nine seats overall.

    Now the group faces the prospect of deciding which party to form a coalition with and Cllr Etheridge said he would be discussing their options with his fellow Independent councillors in the coming days.

    He said: "I think we need to talk to the other parties, it's fairly early days. I have always been in favour of coalition politics and working for the good of the community.

    "All options are open, what we want is the best for the rate payers of Caerphilly County Borough, we're prepared to listen and discuss."

    1:30pm Saturday 3rd May 2008

    Print   Email this   Comment
    Posted by: BOB, NEWPORT on 2:07pm Sat 3 May 08
    I see the Politian’s have leant nothing. The same total unaccountability from them.
    You were not elected on the basis of forming a coalition. You have no mandate at all from the electorate to do so.

    If you wish to renege on the basis that you were elected then you need to go back to the electorate to see a fresh mandate,

    Will you. Hel of course you will not as usual the electorate will be ignored and they will do as they please.

    It’s little wonder that Politian’s are held in such low regard.
    Posted by: oatley on 2:55pm Sat 3 May 08
    BOB wrote:
    I see the Politian’s have leant nothing. The same total unaccountability from them. You were not elected on the basis of forming a coalition. You have no mandate at all from the electorate to do so. If you wish to renege on the basis that you were elected then you need to go back to the electorate to see a fresh mandate, Will you. Hel of course you will not as usual the electorate will be ignored and they will do as they please. It’s little wonder that Politian’s are held in such low regard.
    The Independents elected could run the Council with their eyes closed and the end result would be great. And the previous Independent Elected Councillors have never ignored the electorate and no doubt the new elected Councillors will also do same, they have been there 24 hours a day for anyone that needs their help.
    Posted by: Liam, newport on 3:09pm Sat 3 May 08
    I total agree oatly my father was a councillor for 16 yrs and I can tell you that he receive calls 24/7 the family were secretaries when He was out on council business. Even in the early hours of the morning he would sort out there issues if possible. So when people make comments like that it is very obvious that they haven’t got a clue.
    Posted by: Bob, Islwyn on 4:24pm Sat 3 May 08
    By whatever means CCBC is run over the next four years, I know one thing for sure - Blackwood residents can only benefit by have 3 Independent councillors who have the backing of Peoples Voice and who will stand up to be counted on their behalf! The 3 Ks are public servants who appreciate the trust placed in them by the voters.
    Posted by: Mervyn James on 7:01pm Sat 3 May 08
    Freedom for Islwyn, dump the Labour bullies of Caerphilly..
    Posted by: leigh on 7:56pm Sat 3 May 08
    Bob wrote:
    By whatever means CCBC is run over the next four years, I know one thing for sure - Blackwood residents can only benefit by have 3 Independent councillors who have the backing of Peoples Voice and who will stand up to be counted on their behalf! The 3 Ks are public servants who appreciate the trust placed in them by the voters.
    I always believed that an independent was and is indenpendent not a group. If they have backing as peoples voice why didn't they stand as peoples voice?
    Time will tell if the other 2 ks are any good at representing Blackwood. KE got alot riding on this
    Posted by: oatley on 8:19pm Sun 4 May 08
    leigh wrote:
    Bob wrote: By whatever means CCBC is run over the next four years, I know one thing for sure - Blackwood residents can only benefit by have 3 Independent councillors who have the backing of Peoples Voice and who will stand up to be counted on their behalf! The 3 Ks are public servants who appreciate the trust placed in them by the voters.
    I always believed that an independent was and is indenpendent not a group. If they have backing as peoples voice why didn't they stand as peoples voice? Time will tell if the other 2 ks are any good at representing Blackwood. KE got alot riding on this
    The more Independents elected into office the better for the electorate. And the Peoples Voice are like any other that support the Independents, and yes I have faith in all 3 K's to be there for the people of Blackwood. The other parties who stood but wasn't elected were a waste of time, they never listened to the people in the past so why think they would change now.
    Posted by: louise of this area on 12:06pm Mon 5 May 08
    oatley wrote:
    leigh wrote:
    Bob wrote: By whatever means CCBC is run over the next four years, I know one thing for sure - Blackwood residents can only benefit by have 3 Independent councillors who have the backing of Peoples Voice and who will stand up to be counted on their behalf! The 3 Ks are public servants who appreciate the trust placed in them by the voters.
    I always believed that an independent was and is indenpendent not a group. If they have backing as peoples voice why didn't they stand as peoples voice? Time will tell if the other 2 ks are any good at representing Blackwood. KE got alot riding on this
    The more Independents elected into office the better for the electorate. And the Peoples Voice are like any other that support the Independents, and yes I have faith in all 3 K's to be there for the people of Blackwood. The other parties who stood but wasn't elected were a waste of time, they never listened to the people in the past so why think they would change now.
    Why do you have every faith, you are obviously one of the independents?? Kevin yes goes without saying a brilliant councillor and well deserves his position. The others will remain to be seen as they have no experience as a councillor yet. I really do hope they will make a difference in Blackwood. Also don't tar every person in every party with the same brush afterall you didn't get elected either or did you?? And before you say anything my votes went to the independents and one other person and I believe in the people that I voted for!!
    Posted by: oatley on 3:54pm Mon 5 May 08
    LOUISE OF THIS AREA ... No I am not a councillor, and I will tar each and everyone with the same brush other than the Independents. Not one of them from other parties who were voted by the electorate in the past did anything for the people of Blackwood.And I have faith in Keith Smallman who has worked with the public for many years not as a councillor but in another public duty, and from what I have heard of Kay Presley she will be able to assist the people in her role as a councillor.
    Posted by: louise of this area on 7:07pm Mon 5 May 08
    oatley wrote:
    LOUISE OF THIS AREA ... No I am not a councillor, and I will tar each and everyone with the same brush other than the Independents. Not one of them from other parties who were voted by the electorate in the past did anything for the people of Blackwood.And I have faith in Keith Smallman who has worked with the public for many years not as a councillor but in another public duty, and from what I have heard of Kay Presley she will be able to assist the people in her role as a councillor.
    So you didn't get elected as an independent?

    In your opnion nothing was ever done for Blackwood (asda, focus etc, I will wait and see if the councillors are worthy of my vote.

    Good luck
    Posted by: oatley on 7:21pm Mon 5 May 08
    LOUISE OF THIS AREA... I have never stood for Election.One could point out to you many problems that have occured because of other parties that failed to listen to the electorate, if you were happy with who you voted for in the past why change your opinion now and vote Independent, because your comments contain mixed messages. You mention Asda, Focus, these have not brought wealth or any new business to the High Street, what stores like Asda do is destroy towns like Blackwood.
    Posted by: louise of this area on 7:37pm Mon 5 May 08
    oatley wrote:
    LOUISE OF THIS AREA... I have never stood for Election.One could point out to you many problems that have occured because of other parties that failed to listen to the electorate, if you were happy with who you voted for in the past why change your opinion now and vote Independent, because your comments contain mixed messages. You mention Asda, Focus, these have not brought wealth or any new business to the High Street, what stores like Asda do is destroy towns like Blackwood.
    I vote for the person NOT the party.
    I disagree these types of business bring people freedom of choice and I for one am very happy that there is this choice in Blackwood. And don't forget about the jobs that has been created because of the large stores coming to Blackwood.
    Posted by: red army, Newport on 8:11am Tue 6 May 08
    The K K K elected in Blackwood.....now that is irony!!!!
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