Pilton Sucks dotCom

Friends and readers. On Friday 17-03-06 there is to be a grand getogether of the great and the good to discuss how best to move forward with what has been dubbed the Forth Rivera. However it is by invitation only so the plebs will not be able to be there.

What is noticeable is the absense of community activists who might say something different than the party line. We question whether all the Pilton Partnerships reps have been invited and how much notice they received. This is really a back slapping exercise designed to allow the great and the good to hear the sound of their own voices.

What is needed at this private party is a voice that will be independent and tell it how it is, how the existing community is being excluded how no local labour charter is in place, where is the affordable homes, what kind of access will the existing community get.

PiltonSucks.com is saddened because this will be another wasted opportunity to get some real information into what is going on. We are also saddened but not supprised to learn that one of the leading activists one with an independant mind and voice a rep on the partnership board has not been invited and we understand was only given a couple of days notice. This of course smells but is typical of a closed mind mentality.

When we asked Mr. Marinello for a comment he declined and told us he was unable to make the meeting, we asked how many of the other reps were invited he did not know that either.

 PiltonSucks.com is in nobodys pocket and is concerned that any activist never mind an experienced one is not offered an invite to an event of such importance. Are we just to be fed the same old rubbish as we are used to, it looks like it, once again exclusion is the name of the game, inclusion for some as long as they tow the line.

What has become of those who can be bought with a sandwich and a glass of cheap wine, this is about the future and how it will be shaped  If activists who have an opinion of their own are not invited because the local rulers decide it would not be in the intersts of the majority, the majority we might say that was put together by those with a self interest to protect.

So although we could not get a comment from one leading activist his silence speaks volumes and tells us that as usual if your face does not fit then you do not get to go to the ball. Well to hell with it for without independant minded people we are all just nodding dogs in the back of the car.

Friends and Readers all is quite as we await the new communtiy charge books which should be droping on our door steps very shortly.  The glee on the faces of the Labour aristocracy, the deafening silence of delight, the massive slaps of self congratulations at their briilance at being able as they tell us to keep the increase to a minimum, we should not vote for them it only encourages them.

So as the Water of Leith slowly flows on and on and on….. so does the noble rulers of the city confident in the fact that whatever they do they can con the plebs into believing it is for their own good, but they just do not realise it.

Should not our noble rulers come out of their gilded palace come into the communities and explain to the punters exactly what it is that we do not understand.  Give us your words of wisdom dazzle us with your intellects, and give us plebs some of your very important time in an attempt to make us understand what is good for us and how we will all be better off in the long run.

We at PiltonSucks.com are convinced that the people would sit open mouthed in anticipation of what was to come. Unfortunatly we are giving our rulers a little to much credit, it is far more likely that you will be ignored and ridiculed in your efforts to get any kind of sense from that lot.

But like any bad smell they will linger on for a while, one or two might try and con the punters into voting them into the Scottish Parliment, some might take the money and run to their outside interests, and the rest, well they will just squabble over who is to be the new leader of a depleted labour group, or how they can get rid of Provost hHnds so they can put Cardownie in and asure themselves of an extra vote if neccessary.

The rest of us mere mortals, we just go on picking up the tab slowly but surely being ground down till our resistance is all but gone.

But have faith my good friends sometimes the greatest plans of mice and men can be changed, so do not let this tale make you despondent, all is not lost.  You the residents of Greater Pilton have the power in those little wooden polling booths you go into every so often. This time when you do, examine the ballot carefully and take a moment to think, how can my communty benifit who best can do the job that is required, when you have done that look down the list of names, and vote with your head not with the party propaganda they try and brainwash you with.

You might get a pleasant suprise some people might emerge who you think can do a better job than the last lot, so when the time comes please vote it really is important, but of equal importance is, make the right choice and have a long memory think back four years and remember the stories you were told and how many of them had a happy ending, not many.

And as we meander through the maze of lies, downright lies and statistics, take heart from the fact that you can change it you and only you.  Promises do not mean a dam thing if in the end all you get is shafted and then told it is good for you.  Friends and readers ask the question why and keep asking it, why have we not been included in the new Jerusalem why can we not get access to the wealth that is being created on the Waterfront why are we being excluded.  Why do we have to settle for second best why do we have services that are second rate.  We are entitled to share in the wealth that is being created not just sidelined some sort of freak show to be looked at by our new richer neighbours in their overpriced rubbish.

No my good readers you can demand more and with justification after all you have stayed loyal to the labour aristocracy, but they have sold you off and cheaply.

Well readers and friends, it seems our good councillor Elizabeth Maginnis is advocating the development of a casino within the Waterfront Development, no doubt in Granton so she can continue to live the good life which her many interests allows her to do. Who voted for this person, surely the last thing we need is more gambling and its associated problems.

This is pure stupidity. We are told it could attract up to 30,000 visitors - SO WHAT!  What she should be pursuing is trying to bring in real sustainable employment to the Granton area not another organisation designed to fleece the punters of their money. It would be far more benificial if Ms Maginnis used her time more productivly- say in her role as Chair of the  very secretive Waterfront Board to secure some of the 9,000 jobs she herself told us there would be available for the local punters,

From the Evening News:

Speaking at yesterday’s full council meeting, Granton councillor Elizabeth Maginnis, said: “If this casino was sited in Granton then you could see up to 30,000 visitors coming to one of the most deprived parts of the city. This development would also bring benefits to the rest of the city.”

It is time that Ms. Maginnis seriously considered her position and real role in this community, possibly she should consider resigning as local councillor - you can almost feel the sigh of relief coming from the community.

PiltonSucks.com believes the casino proposal is a nonsense and does not even bear a second thought. We also feel that gambling and the casino groupies who frequent these places would certainly not enhance the community rather give it yet another blight in its makeup.  One of the ways to rub a community’s face in it is to create an even bigger divide between the haves and the have nots.

Friends and readers this ludicrous idea comes from, wait for it , A LABOUR COUNCILLOR the ordinary peoples party dedicated to lifting the scurge of poverty from our communitys. Doing a good job is she not?

By now Friends and readers you will have received notification of the soon to be Community Councils.  You may also know that your nominations have to be in by the 6th March. This of course you could argue is democracy in action, but is it just a change of name or a re-hash of tried and failed policies of yesteryear.

We at PiltonSucks.com have to be excused if we sound a little sceptical, but the Wester Hailes experience leaves us a little cold and uneasy about the whole exercise. 

We need to have as many people as possible involved in real decision making not just be paid lip service to. So we offer another idea, we would like to see open community meetings at least once a month to discuss and debate the issues that really concern the residents of Greater Pilton.

We have been bludgened into submission by the strength and tactics of the party machines who have in effect undermined and stiffled any kind of democratic forum. This of course they will deny but the people on the ground know the truth.

Having sucessfully stiffled any kind of democratic debate and therefore resistance to the changes they wish to impose, we are now told community planning is the answer to all of the problems facing the community and the new kid on the block.

This of course is nonsense and by employing the spoiling tactics they have in fact called game set and match on democratic debate. No longer will sense play any role in this just party politics with the community as the ball to be kicked and eventually burst. It may well be that at the next local elections some of our rulers wil take the money and run. leaving the mess behind for someone else to clean up.

So beware of Greeks bearing gifts or the Trojan Horse if you like, possibly even white elephant.  The dark cloud of community planning approaches take heed all ye that enter there.