Monday, June 29, 2009

Get Carter!

News that the ruddy-faced leader of Kent County Council couldn't even be bothered to turn up to Friday's airport meeting just goes to demonstrate the contempt and ignorance the Maidstone Tories have when it comes to our septic isle.

This is the man whose grasp of his county's geography is so good that his fondest quote is that planes from Chas 'n' Dave Margate International Airport 'fly straight out to sea'. The meeting had been specially arranged around his diary, and around 150 people attended, most of whom were relishing the opportunity to point out that there is a splendid Victorian seaside town of 40,000 right under the flightpath. And maybe question why he had voted himself an 8% increase in his expenses the day before. Admittedly there was the odd lunatic fringe member, like Ramsgate First's Gerry O'Donnell who seems to think a jumbo flying a few hundred feet every five minutes over his East Cliff kiosk would be good for business. Oh, and the Thanet Tories' Labour poodle, Mike Harrison, head of the Airport Working Group, who by his own admission is 'not the brightest person' (why do you think you got the job, Mike?). But they were heavily outnumbered.

Fortunately a motion was carried to report the Tory twonk to the Standards people. One man, Ron Blay, unfurled a banner saying 'No night flights, no training flights', and several people seemed to be having stand up rows with the airport's Kiwi boss Matt Clarke. Oh I do like a bunfight!

Carter the farter in yourfannitinnit
Sign the petition against night flights

14 comments:

Westgate Old Lady said...

C'mon, he had a family commitment. Family comes first, quite naturally. I'm sure he'd already done a full week's work by Friday and it isn't fair to expect him to work into Friday night without over time.

Anonymous said...

KIACC chairman Paul T, really let him have it if YourFannit's article is anything to go by...

http://www.yourthanet.co.uk/kent-news/Thanet-airport-anger-as-Carter-fails-to-show-newsinkent25762.aspx

Skippy said...

12.59

I know, I know... it breaks my heart.
Especially after the 8% pay rise.
How does he manage on such a pawltry wage?!

Web_man said...

Thinking about setting up a website...

www.paul-carter-is-a-weird-looking-douchebag.com

Anonymous said...

Mmmm

Indeed, Wesgate-old-Lady. I am sure our forces on the front line have done a weeks work in one day and would like the family first principle.

Its a pity that Carter could not show up to reinforce Democracy...instead of flouting it much like the %8.

Anonymous said...

I think he's a brave young man to stand up for Kent - the journey to Heathrow these days has become intolerable and it's quite right that those of us who like to travel get easy access to decent airlines.

Anonymous said...

Who is a brave young man? Carter or Matt Clarke who tried to convince us the airport can be viable. Perhaps you are the elderly lady in the print dress who stood up for Paul Carter on Friday? Come on, the date was arranged to suit Cllr. Carter. Other people cancelled arrangements to attend the meeting. He called it off at very short notice and gave a feeble excuse of a re-arranged family event. Re-arranged at 24 hours' notice? He could have spoken first and then left by 7.30 or sent a deputy. Cllr. Wells was there and he said he'd have been happy to substitute for Carter had he been asked. Sorry, Cllr. Carter showed total contempt for the committee and the people of Thanet.

Tony Flaig said...

I've be saving "Get Carter!" as a post title.

Waiting for the time he cocks up big style

I see that petition has added another 25 or more votes since I gave it the oxygen of publicity last week!

I left that meeting early but I cant imagine anyone having stand up rows with Matt Clarke, he seems a reasonable guy used to taking crap.

Around 150 people attended, some exaggeration, try 80 Tops, lets face it most present were either politico's, committee members or clutching free bus passes.

Why not go to these meetings and get yourself connected.

Anonymous said...

Is a politico someone who cares about the way they are governed by Government local and national?
If so, count me in and stuff the airport.

Tony Flaig said...

politico A person active in party politics

Anonymous said...

I heard that Matt Clarke has cancelled a trip to Paris to be there in Friday. Given that the whole meeting had been arranged around the only date that Carter said he was available, it's a bit naff of him to let everyone down. Personally, I'd be more than happy if Carter stayed West of the Medway and never bothered us down here. But if he is going to keep saying things about the area that aren't true he should at least have the decency to come and say them to our faces, rather than cowering behind the microphone with his chums at Radio Kent.

Lucy Mail said...

Though it's hardly big news when you find yourself having to 'big it up', Tony.
Much as I, personally, feel that I should be campaigning with you guys on this, every time one of those jumbos shakes the skies as it passes over, I get a little tingle in my submarine dock and start thinking of seamen, so I won't.
Sorry.

Leonard Nimby said...

Umeployment seems to be very trendy down here amongst those who don't suffer it.

Sure having a lightly used dock and ferry terminal looks prettier, empty land where amusement parks once stood give wildlife and fauna a better chance and a near totally un exploited airport does mean more sunshine on everyone's patio, but these points are lost on those without work.

If you want to live on a quiet island with no future try Sheppey.

Anonymous said...

So you think airport development will lead to jobs for locals??!
Hahahaha! Where have you been?