Realism would be a refreshing resulution

Whilst we don't doubt Boston Borough Council Leader's faith in the town, we do believe that from time to time he lets enthusiasm triumph over realism.
In his State of the Union New Year message, he quotes some exciting key future plans for the town.
Top of the list is Merchant's Quay - slated for completion in three years even though permission for planning is not expected for a few more months.
According to Councillor Austin it will bring Boston into the top 200 shopping destinations in the UK (we seem to recall that this is a line from the developer's press release.)
As we have already pointed out, whilst this sounds great, according to the UK Webstart site which lists such things, there are only 238 all together, so to get in the top 200 with a development of the type proposed here shouldn't be that hard.
Councillor Austin goes on to claim that English Heritage is to treat Boston as "one of its highest priorities" bringing substantial grant funding to preserve many of our fine and interesting buildings.
Hang on a sec!
The piece we heard on the wireless (see our blog of December 17th - "Market Place is wonderful - Slumb") had an English Heritage spokesman talking about patching up a few roofs, repainting some shopfronts and perhaps converting some of the space above them into accommodation.
And he emphasised: "We don't invest massive amounts every year but when we're interested in a place we'll consistently invest over a period of time. It might take seven or eight years to regenerate a place. In Boston it might take longer."
Finally on the vexed issue of the PRSA, Councillor Austin cites the fact that 600 schoolchildren a week now use it and that this will soon be doubled.
At the same time he tells us, the cost to the Boston council taxpayer has been roughly halved.
But surely, when schools use a facility the bill is met from the budget of the school concerned .... which comes from the Education budget ... which comes from .... you've guessed it .... the County Council tax.
It's a rose by any other name. Virement is one of the closest that springs to mind.
None of this is to say that there aren't good things happening in Boston, but it is wrong of Councillor Austin to over egg the pudding in the belief that we'll all fall over and believe what is essentially what we would expect a politician to say.
Some realism would be helpful - particularly in these difficult times.
We're off to lay down in a darkened room now, and will be back on New Year's Day.
Enjoy your celebrations.
New Year's greetings to all our readers - and thanks for visiting our blog in record numbers.

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