Here's my answer by George!

Better Boston Group member Councillor Brian Rush is back from his holidays, and after catching up with Boston Eye, and the local papers, decided to drop us a line to deal with events that cropped up whilst he was away....

He writes:

I see in the Target, another pop is made at the BBG by that 'Last of the Summer Winer' the never-retiring hack, George Wheatman. He opines, without naming of course, that troublesome councillors regularly stand in the way of progress and cause only frustration for good councillors!

How times change!It is interesting that George was amongst the first pseudo local VIPs who was clearly enthused by my selection in my past role as BBI Cabinet Member for Sport.

I recall clearly, amongst his congratulations, his support for my willingness to face challenge as most welcome, and how he was looking forward to the Boston Sports Initiative achieving some real progress for the PRSA and the wider sporting fraternity.

This support was previous, of course, to my call for Richard Austin's resignation as the Leader, due to my allegation that he and Peter Jordan had betrayed the people of Boston.

It seems I have been relegated.

Well George! maybe you will allow me to try to convince you otherwise.

You see I believe that councillors should never fear to challenge.

Was it not we 'troublesome councillors' who uncovered the disgraceful and infamous 'bypass sell out deal' attempt by Councillors Austin and Jordan?

Maybe he forgets that Councillor Jordan repeatedly denied that this 'deal' ever took place, but finally conceded through pressure that it had.....though he preferred to call it an agreement.

Who could forget his bad tempered BBC Radio Lincolnshire interview, when finally cornered, he slammed his phone down?

To loyal founder members of the Bypass Campaign this agreement was particularly offensive.

It may also be worthy of note that only five out of 20 other Elected BBI Councillors, had any connection with the Boston Bypass Pressure Group Campaign.

The final straw for us was when members were ordered to comply with an 'improper demand' by the Leadership, that all BBI Councillors give a written vote of Confidence in the Leadership, in which they were to indicate their full name and sign. (I will be pleased to provide a copy of this.)It was due to such disgraceful behaviour such as this, and an abandonment of manifesto promises, that forced four of us to resign as BBI Members.

It is also worthy of note that one of those broken manifesto promises was that the BBI would immediately begin 'A full investigation into the historical financial affairs of the PRSA,' which is overseen by a board of trustees, namely the Boston Sports Initiative of which he has been a long standing member.

But what George should also know is this:- The inspiration, and negotiations that delivered the Haven High and other schools to utilise the PRSA was solely an initiative of the - soon to be - BBG members.

It was the BBG that highlighted the Strait Bargate bus route, in an effort to allow the people of Boston to indicate their feelings in a public protest demonstration - whether you agree or disagree with the invasion, this was a public interest issue.

The BBG went on to create the opportunity of a 'clear and concise YES or NO poll for the people ' - and the results confirmed that the vast majority of the public were against buses using Strait Bargate.

We had in fact invited all councillors to attend this poll, we intentionally gave no indication of our group and conducted the event without coercion or opinion, but members of the BBI refused to attend.

Swimming Pool for a £1. The questioning of the exorbitant estimates for the demolition and refurbishment of the Geoff Moulder Leisure Pool was as a result of investigative work by the BBG.

It was the BBG who invited the committee members of Boston Swimming Club to meet with us on four occasions to consider a proposal to save the training pool. The subsequent, very heated, public meeting indicated the level of disgust by the users of this amenity towards the BBI Leadership.

George has also, in the past, criticised our role in the resignation of one BBI Councillor, who was later found guilty of a criminal act.

It gives me no pleasure to inform him that this was merely the culmination of many many genuine, but frustrated attempts to help, and this included seeking the assistance of Richard Austin, who took no action.

We have questioned and confronted officers on past actions, tested the validity of their proposals, evaluated projects, and given open support to those officers who work hard to enhance the quality of life for the people of the Boston area.

We have worked most satisfactorily with members of all other groups, thereby assisting in the creation of a much needed effective opposition.

When I was elected by the people of Frampton, I had no intention of being an invisible councillor.

The BBG may well ruffle the feathers and attack the egos of our ruling group, in contrast our small group do what they can to affect and examine the decision making process.

I am content that I carry out my ward duties, and my council responsibilities to the best of my limited ability.
Now if George would like me to dilute my resistance, be as compliant, inactive and silent as most members of the BBI in fact are, then he will, I am afraid, be disappointed.

I would like to know however:- Exactly who are these good councillors that he is so impressed by? And what is it that they have done that impresses him so much?

Councillors Austin and Jordan requested an apology from me, because they put candidates forward for County elections, after we had accused them of making a 'deal' on the bypass with Martin Hill, by ensuring the BBI would not stand against his Conservatives in county elections in exchange for a date a route and funding.

Well chaps, Here It Is ...

I am sorry that you did not field a 'candidate for every county seat in the borough' - which is what you promised the people of Boston.

I really am sorry and disappointed that you could only find four candidates for the County elections, because it would have given me great joy to see you lose even more heavily than you did.

But I am even more sorry than that because I believed you, when you said you would fight for a bypass!

So there you are. Apology Delivered!
Brian Rush

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