Mayoral system to go to the vote — in 2015

“Its a fascinating irony when Rexdog complains about my identity in a post under a nom de plume. You couldn't make it up.

Seriously though, the most disappointing aspect of these forums is that all too often a subject of good local interest gets high jacked and quickly descends to the level of personal attacks and abuse. Although I have enjoyed discussing the issues I regret that this will therefore have to be my last post. Those who want to work off their personal animosities and frustrations in these columns can carry on, I shall not be reading it.

Before leaving I will illustrate the point; Rexdog states " according to ivanovski he
( Gordon Oliver ) has never set foot in the Yacht Club or the Masonic Lodge." You can check back on all my posts and in fact I did not say anything of the sort. I said he is not a member of the Yacht Club. I made no reference to him being in a Masonic Lodge but as it happens the register of interests reveals that he is not a Mason.

As to the hours worked by the Mayor, I am fortunate to have some useful contacts around the bay several of whom are involved in the Council. Its quite useful becuase I learn things that will not appear in the press with the low quality of local journalism. People confirm to me that he is putting in a great deal of time and commitment as much as 16 hours a day.

Mike Lister, for once I was maybe misinformed if you have no connections with the Lib Dems, I apologise. At least you have a view on the issues and when I am attending a meeting some time I would be pleased to debate with you over a pint. But in the meantime don't let your personal animosity to The Mayor get in the way of the debate.

And finally, as Edward R Murrow famously said, " Good night and good luck"”

“mikelister66...Oliver knows all about rudders, he once planned a yachting course around the Bay, although according "ivanovski" he has never set foot in the Yacht Club, or the masonic lodge.

I want to know what the diggers are doing on Torre Abbey Meadows, they were certainly digging up something near the "highflyer' on Tuesday, and whoever gave permission to build there in the first place.

Oliver works 16 hours a day come off it ivanovski !! Cut thorough the middle of you and you will be stamped with the name, Gordon Oliver. I went to school with him, he certainly did not work hard and failed his 11+.

The day will come when you will have to declare your true name "ivanovski", it is becoming the law that you cannot hide your true ID on these websites.”

“ivanovski, you state I need to check my facts but first let's correct some of yours.

1] I don't belong to any party and have never participated in party politics. I did however vote in the general election. So enlighten me, which is "my party" that you refer to.

2] I never suggested anything to the contrary about Gordon Oliver not working hard. I would very much appreciate you validating your assertion that Gordon Oliver works 16 hours a day. I suggested he may not work hard for the next 3 years in order to influence the vote. Perhaps that is unfair on Gordon's character but the comment was about his future working habits, not those past.

3] My points were not a complaint about having a vote on the matter. They were a comment about whether we wanted a mayor who clearly does not believe in the post he holds, as evidenced by his comment about abolishing Torbay unitary authority and now by putting it to referendum. I believe after having only had it for two terms.

You suggest many people would prefer to return to the old system, it should be pointed out that many would like to keep the current one. I put it that if people didn't want a mayor why did they vote one in? (Don't suggest that only 34% (or whatever the figure is) of the population voted in the election as on that logic they don't want a council either).

From your comments on the thread about Neighbourhood Planning it suggests you have attended, I would be very interested in knowing your true identity.”

“Mike Lister I think you are mistaken in your take on events here. Oliver did not pledge to abolish the elected Mayor system you must know that he has no powers to do that. He questioned whether it is superior to an elected Council in the form that we had before powers were given to an elected Mayor. Many others have raised the same point and called for a review and possibly a referendum of the present set up.

What I am told by people in the know here is that Oliver believes that, as elected Mayor he can share and delegate many powers to others that we elect and address the weakness of the present system. Not only do we elect a Mayor who is handed 60% of the power but we still elect 36 Councillors. Under the previous Mayor some of them only knew what was being decided by reading it the newspaper like anyone else. Oliver is trying to address that problem until such time as the public can decide if they would prefer to return to the previous system or, on a democratic vote, decide to retain the Elected Mayor. Don't complain when you are being offered a choice.

As for Oliver spending the next three years doing nothing, you had better check your facts, he is working 16 hours a day and advancing a lot of useful initiatives but it is unlikely that your party will give him any credit for any of it.

AS things stand we would be more likely to be rudderless if Oliver stood down than if he continues his present work load.”

“Seems like all the comments have the missed the point of this article. I understand it was one of Mayor Oliver's pledges to abolish the position of mayor but who has the authority to announce a referendum on this? I would really like to know his reasons for why he thinks we don't need a mayor.

As the mayor clearly wants to see an end to this position we really need to ask ourselves why he continues to stand. If has no faith in the position or feels he can't influence anything why did he stand in the first place. I am worried that he will spend the next 3 years doing nothing to make it look like we can do without a mayor to help influence the vote. We cannot go that long without clear leadership. The mayor should stand down and let someone who believes in the post take his position.

I am concerned that without a Chief Executive or Mayor we would have a rudderless council with no clear leadership for Torbay. That's if the electorate vote not to have a mayor.”

“Maybe Susie Colley should get a job as a dog walkerthen she would have something to lead.”

“"If the Hi-Flyer balloon fails to fly again Torre Abbey Meadows"

I don't know when this meeting was held but what utter nonsense to say "IF" when the diggers have been in place for days removing the winches.

If the quote is correct the Mayor is either ill-informed or taking the public for fools.”

“That would be interesting. As the tanks approached Susie got up and waved her arms shouting I'm not leaving here until you all stop fighting and listen to me. The Heralds prefered candidate was escorted out of the country by both sides.”

“No Dadododo, Susie will be far too busy helping Kofi Annan as a peacekeeper in Syria!”

“Yes it will be good to have the BSO here again - music with a bit of brain power behind it. I think it was Noel Coward who said "There is nothing as potent as cheap music" I think he meant junk music in today's terminology.”