Week ending 29th May

Friday again, and time for our weekly awards...

Silly burghers of the week awards is handed out after the committee seats allocation at last week's full council meeting was branded "another farcical element that we have to endure from 'Independent' Bypassers!" by Better Boston Group member Councillor Brian Rush
He told Boston Eye: About one hour before the last meeting, a list of Committee/panel seats for Chairs and vice Chairs was passed to Councillor Peter Bedford.
"This list was made up of seats that had not been allocated to BBI Members, and put forward to members of the opposition to fill.
"Although ordinary seats on committees are allocated, in many cases to embrace political balance, others are not subject to this balance requirement. Decision making group Chairs however are another matter -they do carry their own degree of power.
"It is expected of a good leader that he/she would normally negotiate personally with opposition group Leaders, to fairly decide who sits on what.
"But for his own very good reason, Richard Austin went through officer intermediaries to deliver the list of available positions.
"There had been a suggestion that 'care should be taken on selection.'
"Cutting to the chase, all opposition group discussed and evaluated, members were chosen and these included, Councillor Anne Dorrian, Chair of an Audit Panel, myself as Vice Chair, to Councillor Brenda Owen on Licensing.
"When the agenda was proposed in council it was for the Leader, to present the ratification of these committees.
"BUT.. he asked for two amendments to be included in the list.
"That both myself and Couoncillor Dorrian should be removed from these appointments.
"Both Opposition Leaders, Peter Bedford (Cons) and Richard Leggott (Ind) notified council that they would withdraw of all other pre selected opposition members, because it was not for the Leader to dictate opposition member selections.
"It was suggested that this item be deferred for later consideration.
"Cowardice, selfishness, attempting to manipulate, and dictatorship all in one evening.
"But who was behind this?
"I don`t think it was Austin/Jordan inspiration, I believe they could be being bullied, and the billies are winning - well for the time being anyway."
Editor's note: new readers may not be aware that both councillors Dorrian and Rush were members of the BBI and holders of senior portfolios until they split with the group and formed the BBG. This may go some way towards explaining the antics leading up to last week's actions at the Worst Street council chamber.
Major look a bit silly award of the week award goes to first citizen. Apparently there was ill-concealed delight all round at last week's borough council meeting when our new Lady Mayor inadvertently outmanoeuvred Councillor Ray (Major Ret`d) Newell, as she sabotaged his strategic attack of the left flank. An insider tells us: "As expected he once again began his habitual disguised tirade of obsessive abuse for certain members of the opposition, and just as he got into his pointless abusive stride, Councillor Richard Leggot called him up on a point of order, indicating to Madam Mayor, that the 'agenda' item should be adhered to. Madam Mayor very quietly admonished Councillor (Major Ret`d) Newell, but we don`t think he caught her comment, so standing like a sniper in the glare of the searchlight, looking very silly and alone, he glared at her....and sat down defeated. It is a shame, but all those carefully crafted insults went un-uttered, all that hot air had turned to "steam." And and did we giggle, no, of course not!"
Commiserations of the week go to Boston girl band Brit Chix, who last night failed to win through to the finals of the absurdly named Britain's got talent. Saxophonist Julian Smith , 37, and and Two Grand - singers John Neil, 76, and granddaughter Sally Lax - were the two acts voted through to Saturday's live grand finale. But we thank the girls for bringing a spark of cheer to our dreary lives - and earning Boston some good publicity for a change.
Brit Chix and the pother acts who out last night included Tippy Toes (Jackie Prescott and her dancing dog), breakdancer Fred Bowers, dancers Sugarfree, and 12-year-old song and dance act Callum Francis.
And still with Britain's Got..... our Use of English award is won by the Standard this week for telling us "The girls (Brit Chix) will now perform live in the fourth of five semi-finals..." We've heard about the game of two halves, but five "semi" finals seems to be stretching it a bit. It may be what it said in the press release, but it ain't English!


You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.