The Friday Joke -18/4/2014 - Stupidity !

A man was driving when he saw the flash of a traffic camera. He figured that his picture had been taken for exceeding the limit, even though he knew that he was not speeding... Just to be sure, he went around the block and passed the same spot, driving even more slowly, but again the camera flashed. Now he began to think that this was quite funny, so he drove even slower as he passed the area again, but the traffic camera again flashed. He tried a fourth time with the same result.. He did this a fifth time and was now laughing when the camera flashed as he rolled past, this time at a snail's pace... Two weeks later, he got five tickets in the mail for driving without a seat belt..

(one that even the now nationally famous Mr Mustard would have trouble getting off)              

Mapledown School - an open letter from Reuben Thompstone (as fisked by the Barnet Eye)

The Cabinet Member of Barnet Council, responsible for the budget cut to Mapledown School for the Disabled, has sent an open letter to the Times Newspaper, following their critical coverage of the Council cut. One migh think Mr Thompstone, who didn't even bother to visit the school to discuss the cut, may have had more sense than to keep this vote losing policy in the press but hey ho, if he's that stupid, we would be negligent in our role as Barnets leading blog if we didn't help him in his mission to destroy the credibility of his party. Our bit is in red italics

Dear Sir,
I was surprised to read your article outlining the opposition apparent from the Labour party’s local council leader and parliamentary candidates with respect to the reduction in funding for short breaks at Mapledown School - You were surprised? Really, what do you think the role of a Labour Opposition is, if not to oppose heartless cuts. My surprise stems from the fact that the Labour Group on Council put forward an alternative budget this year which mirrored precisely these reductions in funding despite being given the opportunity to participate in the consultation in this matter last year where not a word was heard from Cllr Moore or any of her colleagues - As you well know the Labour budget (wrongly in our view) had the same headline figure, but individual items within it were radically different. The funding for the school was maintained by a reduction in the number of committees, reducing allowances for well paid fat cat councillors such as yourself. Did you not know this or are you playing fast and loose with the voters and the truth?.
This funding formula was temporary and as central government has now closed this funding stream, we are pleased that we were able to retain a significant service locally with the close support of Headteacher Steve Carroll and in consultation with local parents - This is a bit dishonest, Rubes (you don't mind me calling you Rubes do you),  as you admitted you'd not visited the school to discuss the £45,000 cut. Some reporting appears to mislead, to clarify, the school’s budget (through the dedicated schools grant) is and remains protected - The reporting was accurate, it referred to the £45,000 cut to after school services and respite services for parents of disabled children. Furthermore, with over £100,000 in Mapledown School’s reserve account, it is for the school to determine how best to use their resources for those they serve - This is Rubes at his worst, spinning and being very crafty with the facts. A disabled school needs a large cash reserve, because all manner of situations can arise which require sudden, unexpected calls for cash. Unlike a regular school, failure to meet these cash calls could significantly affect the ability to provision service for very needy people. To suggest that the school fritter away this reserve just to keep going is like saying that the Queen should sell the Crown Jewels to pay for the redecoration of Windsor Castle. Furthermore it shoews Rubes doesn't understand his portfolio.
Perhaps the Labour group might work out how they could show they are ready to lead, instead of standing on the sidelines throwing stones - Rubes, I think that by highlighting this, they already have. You however have shown you don't have the intellect to hold down this important portfolio. Instead, they appear determined to show that opposition is where they belong nationally and locally, as they continue to be part of the problem and not the solution - Rubes, it appears to me and to 97% of Times Readers, there is only one problem - You!
Regards,
Regards,
Reuben Thompstone
Cabinet Member for Education, Children & Families,
Councillor for Golders Green

Rubes Letter was originally published on his fellow traveller, Little Bobby Sheepsjacksie's Insomnia cure blog http://robertrams.wordpress.com/

Thanks Bobster for exposing this plonker for what he clearly is !

A little story of caution for our friends at Barnet Town Hall

72 years ago, back in 1942, my Dad was based with 40 squadron of the RAF in North Africa, flying Wellington Bombers as part of the battle to free North Africa. He once told me a little story about the siege of Tobruk. He'd been out boozing in Alexandria with some Aussie Soldiers and they'd told him an interesting story (I have no idea if it is true or has ever been documented). The Germans held Tobruk in a vice like seige during an offensive, which featured some of the fiercest fighting in the early stage of the North African Campaign (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobruk). Apparently, during the long siege, the attacking and defending soldiers had an unwritten and unofficial truce every afternoon between 3pm and 4pm. During this time, they'd go down to the sea and have a swim and cool off. During this period, neither side would shoot at each other. This allowed the troops on both sides to cool off and have some sort of peace.

On one afternoon, as the troops from both sides were making their way to the sea, a German sniper took a pot shot at an allied soldier. All hell broke loose. After that, both sides just sat sweltering in their potholes & trenches all day. After about a week, a German white flag of Truce suddenly appearled. He made his way through the fortifications to the Allied line and, with a hundred rifles pointing at him, read out an apology, stating he was the miscreant sniper and he was very sorry. He said that the German side would observe the truce and not take potshots anymore if the British did the same. He then handed himself over and was taken POW. On interrogation, it appeared his German colleagues were so pissed off with him, after a week of sweltering that they'd forced him to apologise.

When he was asked if he was worried about getting shot, he said "No, the British don't do that sort of thing". He was greeted with a reply of "You were lucky mate, we're Aussies and we're mighily pissed off with you".

You may wonder what all this has to do with the Town Hall in Barnet? Well it seems that the local Tory Ledership have chosen to put the boot as hard as they can into Kath McGuirk, a Labour Councillor, over a dispute over council tax. They have called the police in, rather spitefully, over a possible technical transgression of the rules, even though Ms McGuirk has a rather strong case that the whole thing is a Council cock up. Labour sources tell me that they believe that the attack was purely down to the fact the Tories believe McGuirk was being lined up to be the next leader of the Labour group and the Tories were scared of her. In short, it was a very botched attempt at a political assassination of the heir apparent.

What the Tories seem to have failed to take heed of is the fact that Labour have a whole file of dirt to throw back at them. As the gloves are off, and the police were unleashed on McGuirk, Labour feel duty bound to hit back hard. The Barnet Eye is not allied to Labour, but we've had more juicy titbits etc in the last few days from Labour than we've had in the last four years. I assume the same is true for other bloggers and local papers.

It may surprise you to know that we are not really that interested. Despite claims from hysterical Tories on Twitter, the only reason we covered the Tom Davey story was because guest blogger John Sullivan asked us to. John has a serious illness and he is trying to avoid stress.

The sad truth is that like the poor, stupid German sniper, only a big sacrifice will let the Tories put this particular genie back in the bottle. If the Tories and Labour rip each other to bits, I suspect that the only winners will be UKIP.

I make one prediction. This election will be the dirtiest, most nasty and most spiteful in the history of Barnet local politics. There is a simple reason for this. I doubt that anyone in Barnet politics has the brass balls of the errant German sniper to take the rap for his stupidity. None of them, Tories or Labour will be sunbathing in the Barnet political sea any time soon.

Time for Councillor Tom Davey to resign?

This evening I was forwarded an email exchange between disabled rights campaigner John Sullivan and Councillor Tom Davey, Barnet Council cabinet member responsible for housing. Mr Sullivan told me that he was too upset for words to write a coherent blog, in light of information revealed by the Hendon Times website today regarding Mr Davey. He has asked me to try and present the facts in a fair and balanced way. So lets start with The exchange

Mr Sullivan wrote the following email to Cllr Davey
-----
From: John Sullivan 
Sent: 12 April 2014 10:43
To: Davey, Cllr Tom
Subject: Ethnic Cleansing of Barnet Benefit Claimants

 

Dear Cllr Davey,

 

In light of your recent comments and apparent determination to ethnically cleanse Barnet of benefit claimants, which incidentally includes all disabled people and future disabled people in Barnet such as my fifty year old daughter and her peers.

 

Do you think we would be wise to move out of Barnet in order to secure the future quality of life for our daughter before we die, and before your dream of a pure society of the rich and well heeled, completely ethnically cleansed of the benefit claimants and the disabled becomes a reality in Barnet.

 

Or am I reading your rhetoric wrong, am I incorrectly assuming you have openly pronounced your detestation of the poor, the sick and the disabled , and believe they are  not fit to reside in Barnet.

 

Kind Regards

 

Mr J J Sullivan

------------------------------------
Councillor Davey replied
------------------------------------

From: "Davey, Cllr Tom"  Cllr.Davey@Barnet.gov.uk
Date: 13 April 2014 12:29:57 BST
To: "John Sullivan"
Subject: RE: Ethnic Cleansing of Barnet Benefit Claimants

Dear Mr Sullivan

 

All housing allocation policy is clearly set out and avaialble for the public to view. There is not, has not been, and never will be an attempt to "ethnically cleanse" Barnet and i think many residents would find this suggestion deeply insensitive and offensive. I can only apologise if you have misunderstood any comments and offer you fully assurance that the Council and its policies comply with all relevant legislation.

 

For clarification, to the best of my knowledge i have never pronounced "destesation of the poor, the sick and the disabled". 

 

If you have particular concerns on policy, please email those concerns to Barnet Homes and an officer can provide a detailed response. I hope this helps and trust i have answered your question.

 

Best

Tom

  

In this, as you can quite clearly see, Councillor Davey states that he has never, to the best of his knowledge, pronounced "destesation of the poor, the sick and the disabled" which is quite clearly something he sees as " deeply insensitive and offensive" to quote his own words. What sort of a man would pronounce  a dislike of the poor? What sort of a man would not care for the disabled? What sort of a man indeed?

So when Mr Sullivan saw this article in the Edgware Times  http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/11150246.Claims_Tory_Councillor_is__not_fit_for_office__after__disgusting__Facebook_posts/?ref=var_0 , highlighting these Facebook messages from Mr Davey, he felt that it was time for Mr Davey to be held to account





The posts, made by Cllr Tom Davey of Tory-run Barnet Council, were revealed just days after he was caught advocating ‘social cleansing’ in a shocking video.






Davey said the sick joke was “probably misjudgement in hindsight” – but that despite being open to tens of thousands of people in the LSE Facebook network, it was a private joke between friends.
He admitted:

“I have a very dry sense of humour”

Defending perhaps the most disgusting post, in which he says he is “smacking his bitch up…that’ll teach her for ironing loudly whilst the football is on” – Davey said he was being “ironic.”

Just remember, Councillor Davey said in his own email "For clarification, to the best of my knowledge i have never pronounced "destesation of the poor, the sick and the disabled" As Mr Sullivan reminds us, his 50 year old, Downs Syndrome daughter is the "Benefit claiming scum" that Mr Davey berates in his Facebook message.

It is interesting to note that Councillor Davey thinks a disabled black lesbian may have more luck than him in getting a job. Now if Mr Davey was an all in wrestler, the type his political mentor, Councillor Robert Rams is so keen on (http://robertrams.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/who-is-the-labour-councillor-who-has-allegedly-been-summoned-to-court-for-non-payment-of-1400-of-council-tax/), maybe he would have some sort of a point, however Mr Davey was seeking white collar jobs where sound judgement are valued. Is there a clue in his Facebook messages as to why he had such problems?

It is also interesting to note that given the poor Tory record on the subject of violence against women, with Councillor Brian Coleman being arrested for assaulting a woman, that Councillor Davey seems to think beating women up is a laughing matter.

Councillor Davey, in the above link to Robert Rams blog, calls for Labour Leader Alison Moore to resign, based on poor judgement. Our advice for Councillor Davey is to go away, spend some time on the bench and get some life experience. We sincerely hope that he will in time mature, but it is clear that at the moment he does not have the life skills to be a senior official with an important portfolio in local government. If these remarks were dug up from 20 years ago, then that would be one thing, but they were made when Davey was active in local politics in recent years. There was no hint of any sort of apology to those who might be offended. Mr Davey claims that the jokes were "saloon bar humour". Whilst we have no doubt that these are the sort of jokes Councillor Davey shares regularly with his mates in the pub, if you are a politician and on facebook, you should have a little bit more sense.  None of us are perfect, I am sure Facebook and Twitter and even blogger sometimes tempts us to make mistakes and say silly things. Being a dyslexic, I sometimes say things which are misconstrued, sometimes my humour is misunderstood. If someone genuinely claims I've upset them I apologise. In Mr Sullivans case, I am sure he will be awaiting Councillor Davey's apology with baited breath. Because it is clear that not only was Mr Davey being extremely offensive about Susan Sullivan and all her disabled peers. No one can doubt that, in light of these revelations. He mislead Mr Sullivan about his views on the disabled and the poor, who he clearly thinks it is absolutely fine to mock and humiliate.

For the absence of doubt, this story from the Times details how Davey was elected in 2008
http://www.times-series.co.uk/archive/2008/05/02/2243037.Conservatives_hold_on_to_Hale/

Do you want to see this replaced with a wall of concrete?

I took this picture yesterday walking on the public footpath from Wills Grove to Wise Lane, Mill Hill, whilst walking across the grounds of Mill Hill School. As you can see, it is a glorious view. This is part of the Greenbelt and the Mill Hill Conservation area. Sadly whilst you (hopefully) and I see the greenbelt as part of the lungs of London and a treasured asset, many people see it as an opportunity to earn a bit of fast cash. All around Mill Hill, little bits of the green belt are being nibbled away. Every year a small percentage is lost forever, despite the stringent planning laws.

Over the last few years, the speed at which this "nibbling" has been occurring has sped up. The reason, Barnet Council has taken a very 'laid back' approach to enforcing the law. Why has this happened? The Barnet Eye doesn't know, but without doubt some of the largest 'nibbles' have been instigated by very wealthy people, some of whom have had executive posts within the local Conservative party.

To compound matters, Barnet Council has handed over responsibility for planning to Capita as part of the One Barnet project. Wheras previously the planning department was under the control of the council and democratically elected councillors, who have to answer to the electorate every four years, now planning is run by Capita who have a contract with Barnet council. If they cock up, they don't get kicked out at an election, we are lumbered with them. Do they have any vested interest in making sure our green fields are preserved? No, of course they don't, Capita only have their shareholders to answer to.

The council actually wants to massively increase the number of houses in Barnet. They project that the number of residents will rise from 320,000 to 380,000 by 2025. This is not because we've all decided to become strict Roman Catholics out of admiration for the new Pope and have ten kids, it is because they want new arrivals in Barnet, who they will jam into ever smaller Rabbit hutch style flats.

I mistakenly believed that one of the redeeming features of the local Conservatives was that they cared about the green belt. I have seen no evidence of this at all. I've seen no involvement in any of the protests in Mill Hill to protect the green belt. At present there are plans for a huge mausoleum to be built on a site teeming with wildlife in Milespit Hill. It is Labour GLA rep Andrew Dismore who has lead opposition to this development.

I had a leaflet through the door for our local Conservative council candidates, Sury Khatri, John Hart and Val Duschinsky and there is not a single word about the Green Belt, which is a massive part of their ward. In fact point 4 of the five bullet points boasts that they are building even more houses and even more 'regeneration schemes'. Point five says the council are spending £7 million on more road works in 2013/14. (Just in case you wondered point 1 is about the 3p a day tax cut, point two points out Barnet has some good schools and point 3 are some stats about Youth crime and how you are now safer than you were in 2012).

All very well, but in many wards in Barnet and especially in Mill Hill, I want to see our Green belt protected and preserved and I want a council that enforces the law. One reason Mill Hill has low youth crime is because there are decent open spaces for our youngsters to let off steam in. What will happen when we destroy them all?

If you care and you live in Mill Hill, the Mill Hill Residents association are having a hustings meeting with local candidates on Weds 30th April at St Pauls School at 8pm. See what they have to say. The only way that anything will change is if you make them know your vote is not to be taken for granted. You may wish to ask the local Tories why they campaigned in 2010 to block a football stand at Copthall, for 50 people for Kentish Town FC, then immediately after the election allowed a 10,000 seat stadium on the site. Whether or not you think that is a good thing, it wasn't exactly honest, was it?

Mill Hill news -A date for your diary

The Mill Hill Residents Association will be holding an Election husting meeting in the question time firmat, featuring local Tory, Labour, Lib Dem, UKIP and an Independent candidate at St Pauls School Hall on Weds 30th April at 8pm. The will also be an MHRA AGM on thisevening. The Barnet Eye urges all Mill Hill Residents to support this event and get involved in your local community. There are more details at http://www.millhillresidents.org.uk

Barnet Tweets of the week !

Our Saturday list last week was the "Silly Tweets of the week". This caused a bit of a stir. Loads of hits and a whole stream of emails asking for it to become a regular feature so here we go. The good, the bad and the ugly ! And what a week we've had !

By the way, if you want to help us put this list together, please reply to any funny/crass/interesting tweet with our Twitter handle @barneteye and simply put #TOW and I'll check it out. It can be any subject, but has to make me laugh, smile, cry or jump up and down. I'll even give you a namecheck !

This is meant to be a bit of fun (mostly) so Tweet away ! Hope you enjoy this weeks list

1. The Ugly - Yet again Brian Coleman proves that the bottom of the barrel is lower than you could possibly imagine ! (The Barnet Times joined in the fun http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/11133286.Barnet_politician_sparks_outrage_with_Peaches_Geldof_comment/?ref=mr)


Brian Coleman @BrianTotteridge  ·  Apr 7

Peaches Geldof - obituary | via @Telegraph http://fw.to/aPrq5Mh  sad but what was the point of her life ? hardly deserving a long DT obit

 

2. Mrs Angry puts Coleman in his place pointing out his rather odd attitude to Twitter. My advice to Brian - don't pick on girls !

 

Mrs Angry ‏@BrokenBarnet Apr 11

@BrianTotteridge why do you tweet me when you've blocked me you great eejit? And what a typically stupid thing to say, but so telling ...

 

 

3. Deputy Leader of Barnet Council tells us about his evening on the piss with his mate. Sadly Dan hasn't quite got the hang of this twitter thing. I wonder if he managed the "William Hague 14 pints"

 

True Blue ‏@TrueBlueBarnet Apr 11

Had very productive and enjoyable evening with friend/my wedding photographer at @thecraftbeerco last night. Place was packed.

 

4. Hilariously ironic humour (unintentional no doubt) from Hendon Tory MP Matthw Offord. He tweets a Burnt Oak "day of action" picture. It's a bunch of Tories lounging about in a park, not a voter in sight and not much action. Mind you, nice to see a good gender balance !

 

Matthew Offord ‏@HendonMP Apr 5

Action Day in Burnt Oak ... pic.twitter.com/YAKRIrChO2

 

 

4. Our favourite councillor, Little Robbie Ramsbottom is preparing for his post election career as a Wrestling correspondent. We will do everything we can to help him launch this new career. I sincerely hope it takes off and he goes to America !

 

Cllr Robert Rams ‏@CllrRobertRams Apr 8

In case you missed it yesterday mine and @DannyStone1's review of #WrestleMania http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/danny-stone/wrestlemania-review_b_5103355.html … on the @HuffingtonPost

 

 

5. Troublemaking Café Owner Helen Michael posts a rather tasty looking Selfie !

 

Helen Michael ‏@BuzzingHelen Apr 4

My cheesecake pic.twitter.com/gjH63WcqS7

 

 

6. Rather amusingly lame attempts to by Barnet Tory to paint the Labour group as disunited. Two of their councillors were "arguing" outside the council chamber. No, no, they never argue outside the council chamber !

 

Barnet Conservatives ‏@BarnetTories Apr 8

It's said divided parties never win elections @barnetlabour seem more divided than ever. Rumours of Cllrs arguing outside the chamber 2nite

 

7. Fiery Labour Councillor Kath McGuirk hints at a difficult week and the celtic love of a barney !

 

Cllr Kath McGuirk‏@RedKaff Apr 11

So true pic.twitter.com/jCmsFwqwyF

 

 

 

8. Barnet Council again showing that when it comes to PR they are useless. You'd think that a £1.4 million inverstment in a short stretch of road would be pretty hard to miss!

 

Barnet Council ‏@BarnetCouncil Apr 11

In case you missed it: North Finchley town centre improvements http://www.barnet.gov.uk/news/article/504/finishing_touches_put_to_north_finchley_town_centre_improvements …

 

 

9. The Barnet Alliance recasts itself as the Barnet Taxpayers Alliance, exposing Council officers  Capita Employees living it up at your expense!

 

Barnet Alliance ‏@BarnetAlliance 15h

Did @BarnetCouncil (you!) financed a trip of #Capita employees to the French Riviera? http://wwwbrokenbarnet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/words-change-their-meaning-last-full.html … Indeed you did!

 

10. And as ever, I finish with my own favourite tweet of the week ! What was the bad smell in Hendon MP Matthew Offords office yesterday? We can but speculate

 

Rog T ‏@Barneteye Apr 11

What is the bad smell in @Hendonmp Matthew Offords office? pic.twitter.com/SfFbJsIAig

 

The Saturday List - 10 reasons why a decent human being would support a budget cut to Mapledown disabled school

As you may have read in the local press, the local Conservatives have cut the budget to Mapledown special school. The councillor who made the decision has never even bothered to visit the school. That councillor is Mr Rueben Thompstone. Leader Richard Cornelius announced that fair minded people in Barnet support the cut. We have drawn up a list of ten reasons why a decent person may agree with Mr Cornelius.

1. Severe brain injury causing confusion

2.  Erm actually we cant think of another genuine reason


please use this link to the Hendon Times to vote in their poll to show your disgust. http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/11144279.POLL__Petition_against_cuts_to_Mapledown_School/?ref=va_r0

If you think cuts to the budget of Mapledown School for the disabled are disgusting, vote now in this poll

If like me, you think the budget cuts, to subsidise a 3p a day Council tax cut, to Mapledown Special School for disabled children is disgusting and despicable, please vote now in this poll on the Hendon Times website

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/11144279.POLL__Petition_against_cuts_to_Mapledown_School/?ref=var_0

Please tell all your friends, family and even the people you hate to vote as well. Lets send a strong message to the Council. You can be pretty sure that the greedy sods who support this cut will b rallying their forces and making sure a good show is given for their side of the argument.

The Friday Joke 11/4/2014

I was walking down the Mill Hill Broadway when I was accosted by a particularly unkempt homeless man who asked me for a couple some coins for a cup of tea.

I took out my wallet, extracted a fiver  and asked, "If I give you this money, will you buy some beer with it instead of dinner?"

"No, I had to stop drinking years ago," the homeless man replied.

"Will you use it to go fishing instead of buying food?" I asked.

"No, I don't waste time fishing," the homeless man said. "I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive."

"Will you spend this on going to football?" I asked.

"Are you NUTS!" replied the homeless man. "I haven't been to a match  in 20 years!"

"Well," I said, "I'm not going to give you money. Instead, I'm going to take you home for a shower and a terrific dinner cooked by my wife."

The homeless man was astounded. "Won't your wife be furious with you for doing that?

I replied, "Don't worry about that. It's important for her to see what a man looks like after he has given up drinking, fishing and football."