Sheep who hide their heads in the sand

Comment by Councillor Brian Rush of the Better Boston Group

I read just recently about the high regard in which you guys were held by the Mouth of the Haven, Councillor Newell post Election '07, as he loudly welcomed the hope and praise shown by the Boston Eye toward this group of new politicians.
His respect for your position was of course born out of your exhaustion and disappointment with the former administration; his thoughts were mirrored exactly.
Your expectations of great things to come were not just complimentary, but clear recognition by the Eye of the great talents and intelligentsia that would now be available to Boston from himself and the Bypass Group.
S`funny but when you began reapplying the same performance measurements to them, you became completely wrong...unreliable, prejudiced. Hmmmm.
Right from very beginning the whole thing was a charade; Richard Austin stole the clothes of the Bypass Pressure Group, and sought and gained election to County (only to lose his home seat at his first attempt to be re-elected.)
Immediately he dispensed his Independence, and aligned himself with the ambitious Councillor Marianne Overton, who had gathered about her a group of insecure individuals that would become 'Lincolnshire First.' Just as he abandoned the Boston Pressure Group, he did so again with thoughts of BYPASS issues.
Despite blatant denials, it is accepted by even the most trusting, that the now infamous attempt by the doubtful leadership duo, did in fact offer to sacrifice aspirations of Bypass candidates as County representatives.
The increase in 'Pink' secret discussions documents which exclude the public, the constant refusal to suspend standing orders, thereby curtailing questions on controversial items at Full Council, the cow-towing and continuance of finance to the inept board of Boston Sports Initiative, displays a total disregard of community opinion, proves the depth of fear they have for inspection, openness and transparency.
Sheep burying their heads in the sand is at least novel!
The roll over on road widening, the Geoff Moulder Liesure pool debacle The glowing recommendations of the former Deputy Leader who offered to go to bed with the now defunct West Street Project organisation, shows a serious lack of qualification on due diligence practices, followed by overdue reticence to disband the dysfunctional BARC quango.
There are many more unaddressed and several other incidences that have become part of the hallmark of this ruling group.
What other council would refuse to recognise such abject failure, who declare and re-brand block voting and gagging as democratic, who cowardly ignore and allow bullying tactics to occur in order to sterilise challenge.
The following must strike a chord with the members who have loyally supported this failing regime.
Right from the very beginning, the lie began, with the mission to oppose all 32 seats in May 07.
As the desire to find quality candidates became increasingly difficult, Richard Austin took the suggestion of one Chris Brewis, County Councillor, that paper candidates be sought to fill any vacancies. To those that value honest politics, this is a despicable practice.
I will respect and refrain from naming those willing souls, satisfied that they themselves know this to be true, and on this basis they themselves must realise that for him to have enacted such a disgraceful tactic on the people of Boston, is symbolic of the level of trustworthiness, of him and of those around him.

Councillor Brian Rush


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