Public meeting

[Sarah]

There was a public meeting at the Winter Gardens tonight about the new plans for Turner Contemporary. The BBC report it here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4872178.stm

I wasn't there (have attended all the public meetings on this subject to date, and have found them to be self-congratulatory affairs that gloss over any difficult questions, and heaven knows there have been a few) but a friend of mine was.

He tells me that Cllr Ezekial told the gathered throng that the council has been speaking to operators about Dreamland, and that there simply isn't anyone out there prepared to take on the whole site in its entirety. He was roundly heckled for this blatant untruth.

I rather wish I'd gone now, for though this appears to have been about the only reference to Dreamland, it's a pretty bloody annoying one.

Sarah

[porterm]

Funny, I was just going to open a new post on this Sarah. I saw it featured on the local BBC News South East programme at 6.30pm tonight. (I'd just turned the TV on and thought it was initally an item regarding Dreamland's future, especially when they showed the new Big Wheel in all its glory).

By the way, it's not the first time I've heard that Dreamland operator remark; I think it could have been the same councillor who uttered those words at the Council meeting we attended earlier this year in their offices. I too found it very annoying then, especially when the person hinted then that the mooted French operator couldn't go ahead now.

It was a great shame the BBC couldn't have covered last Friday's objections to the Local Plan also. Maybe I'll soon be pleasantly surprised; I may try to call them again. Seeing the solitary Big Wheel spinning round on their report tonight I still can't help thinking that this could be just about the only working attraction at Dreamland this season, when one views the positioning of that dreadful barricade. Hopefully I'm proved wrong, and I sincerely hope the owners are forced to have the fencing monstrosity removed, and at worst have some temporary fencing at a more sensible distance from the Scenic Railway, if it is absolutely necessary.

Martin

[David Ellis]

That just makes me feel really angry! How many times have the Councillors been informed of the position? What on earth does it take to get the facts through to Councillors...or are they simply just not interested in saving the site?

David.

[Nick]

That just makes me feel really angry! How many times have the Councillors been informed of the position? What on earth does it take to get the facts through to Councillors...or are they simply just not interested in saving the site?

David.

In fact, the councillor in question met with Philip Miller in the past few weeks and knows very well that Philip would prefer to take on the whole site rather than part of it.

Nick

[David Ellis]

Nick...that is even worse than I thought then!

What on earth can us members do to help? There MUST be a way to educate the Thanet members of the facts!

David.

[dave771]

Well there you go just confirms what we have been thinking for ages then!

[Zoidstar]

In fact, the councillor in question met with Philip Miller in the past few weeks and knows very well that Philip would prefer to take on the whole site rather than part of it.

Heard this a week or two back also the jungle drums were banging some very intresting news about the fact that there could well be some movement on the very issue in the near future...

have to wait and see.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

It blows that they can get away with that.

[Neil]

So will this art gallery have some real Turner paintings as I can't see people travelling that far for a load of re-productions, also isn't this 'Turner contemporary visitor centre' some kind of art gallery? Sorry if these sound like silly questions, but not being local I'm a bit confused as to what this art gallery is all about.

To be honest I have already guessed that Cllr Sandy Ezikiel is never likely to give any support to people who want the amusement park saved, that's become clear. My biggest worry is that people may assume the chief Councillor is a reliable source and be fooled by this propaganda. I also feel that we need to pursuade some of the other Conservatives who might be more sympathetic to start going against the party line. I think I'm right in saying that if 4 Conservatives started supporting the Campaign it would be even and if 5 support plans to save Dreamland then the majority of Councillors will support the park's retention. Clearly this isn't as easy as it sounds, but perhaps easier than convincing Sandy Ezekiel

In terms of the 'French operator' I believe this was Grevin and Cie who have bought Pleasurewoodhills instead now, but in an interview they said that in a few years time they would like to aquire another UK park so who knows what this could be.

[Zoidstar]

Yes its an art gallery I beleve there will also be confrence facilitys.

[Illinformed]

Looks as if the Thanet Life has picked up on some of the Dreamland comments made last night in this thread http://birchington.blogspot.com/2006/04 ... l#comments

I'm increasingly hearing the word 'aggressive' used whenever the campaign is mentioned. From everything that I have read on this forum I do not understand why this is. Is a couple of heckles here and there agressive, I think not. I get the impression that TDC is not use to the drones having an educated voice.

[DaveD]

Absolutely - very well said Mr Illinformed.

I wonder how many councillors involved with TDC have ever looked up this website or actually taken the time to see the professional, well written and intelligent postings that are put on here? I doubt many have for the simple reason that they have been all too quick to label us as Nerdy Fantasists craving the knotted hanky and kiss-me-quick coastal lifestyle of the past.

It's easy to misinterpret the condemnation of Bob and the odd Bob stooge as being aggressive; maybe that's the idea? Maybe they want to paint us as aggressive because things are often said to provoke opinion which naturally generates a strong reaction from the campaign members. It is annoying in many respects because by taking to the streets and canvassing the opinion of locals, people had a good chance to see the good-natured character of the people involved & could have approached us with their opinion; seeing first hand that we would have listened politely and intently to every negative and positive comment.


Dave

[Bob]

There was a public meeting at the Winter Gardens tonight about the new plans for Turner Contemporary. The BBC report it here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4872178.stm

I wasn't there (have attended all the public meetings on this subject to date, and have found them to be self-congratulatory affairs that gloss over any difficult questions, and heaven knows there have been a few) but a friend of mine was.

He tells me that Cllr Ezekial told the gathered throng that the council has been speaking to operators about Dreamland, and that there simply isn't anyone out there prepared to take on the whole site in its entirety. He was roundly heckled for this blatant untruth.

I rather wish I'd gone now, for though this appears to have been about the only reference to Dreamland, it's a pretty bloody annoying one.

Sarah

The Councillor is quite correct no one is prepared to take on the whole site. You are tottaly wrong to accuse Councillor Ezekial of telling a lie.
He is aware of confidential negotiations that have gone on. You are not.

I belive you owe councillor Ezekial an apology for calling him a lie on a public forum.

[Bob]

Well there you go just confirms what we have been thinking for ages then!

I think it may be the save Dreamland campaign that may be in need of a solicitor

[dave771]

And why would that be then Bob? personally I couldnt care less mate ! and I doubt that the campaign has anything to worry about, I think you need to be clear of the facts and thats exactly what calling Cllr Ezekiel was, a fact ! When you are aware of the facts then give me a shout !