Burtenshaw. Peter

by GD on Wed 19 Mar 2008, 9:52 pm

New Candidate

by Pete Burtenshaw on Fri 21 Mar 2008, 6:15 am

Hi everyone, I am a 49 year old local who is standing for Deputy for the first time. I will be honest and say it is a rather daunting, exciting and challenging experience and one is stepping into the unknown if elected but a role I know I can fully take on. I must confess that before making the final decision in standing I gave it a lot of thought because if elected would I or could I represent the people of Guernsey. I say this because so many times standing representatives make manifesto promises and once elected are never heard of again until the next election and I do not want to be one of these ‘missing Deputies’. I will not take up directorships or any other advantages offer that may very well come my way whilst in office. I will do the job I have been elected for and not sit on my backside and do nothing. I will represent all the peoples of the Bailiwick in a fair and balanced way. ‘Heard it all before’ I hear you say and so have I we have all been let down so badly in the past. I believe that my manifesto addresses key areas which both the voter and none voter feel are very important and impact on their lives in one way or another.

It remains to be seen if Z10 will stave off a Goods & Sales Tax (“GST”) or if Z10 will work. ‘Who really understands Z10”. I have spoken with many, many people and they have no clue only that it will change our financial position individually and not for the best. But, I will be honest and say that I am no expert in the filed of finance but the current format of Z10 will I am sure be tweaked somewhere down the line by the new House and I will vote accordingly on what is best for both the island and its people and understand why I am voting for the change and not just vote with the majority.

Being a Guernsey born person I feel that the islands heritage, culture and its indigenous population is slowly being eradicated and the local voice is becoming a voice of the past and we must do all we can in protecting this beautiful island, its culture, heritage and peoples. We Guernsey people do not stand up for ourselves when push comes to shove and we must because we are not just protecting our future but our children’s future and their children’s future.

I am in favour of a population cap but it must be a cap that does not stifle growth or impact on the economy. I also believe that there should be equality in the work place on all levels and why not. Why should we have employment apartheid in the 21^st century?

I oppose the closure of both St Andrews Primary and St Sampson's Infants schools and one can dress these proposed closure up hoe you want but it all comes down to money at the end of the day. But one should not put a price on education.

I believe that we must not drop our guard in dealing with all associated crime which impacts on our society. Lowering the legal categorisation of cannabis must not be an option under any circumstances and we must ensure that those members of our community who are addicted to illegal drugs have rights and are supported and offered the best form of appropriate programmes available.

I would support the upgrading of all Mental Health services and buildings via investment. Mental Health impacts on all of ones family and the hellish nightmare for both the sufferer and his or her family is beyond quantifying and so we need both the resources infrastructure of upgraded facilities here in Guernsey to support, protect and improve the lives of the sufferer. We also need an education programme for the community which removes the very damaging stigma associated with all Mental Health issues.

I would strongly oppose any further anti smoking policy in whatever capacity and the further demonising of the smoker and its appalling how this section of the communities been treated. It’s not about health or the health of the child it’s about being first in banning smoking. We all know smoking is a killer but to make the smoker out to be some form of Frankenstein monster because they have an addiction is monstrous. I am a none smoker by the way.

The issue of the environment is as important as ever and I would ensure that the government lead by example. Our green lung areas are a prime example of old blending in with the new and must not be destroyed but enjoyed.

Our youth are the islands future. We should all be creating a partnership with our youth listening to what all of their needs and aspirations are across the board and acting on these needs should be one of the requirements of any good government. Not all youth want to go attend youth clubs or church so this is why a partnership is important which will identify the social issues which have impacted on the choice of road our teenagers take. I must say Guernsey does have a very good youth service but we are all different and have different.

Finally, your vote does count and remember this ‘The people hire and the people fire’.

by **Digger** on Fri 21 Mar 2008, 9:45 am

Thanks for you input Pete . What are your views on the overspends and the need for a new runway also the sewage problem and rubbish problem .

At the moment i can not vote for you as i am not in your parish , one more question what are your views on island wide voting?

Good Luck Pete.

by kat on Fri 21 Mar 2008, 10:25 am

What are you views on the GHA having so much of our land to build little hutches on?
What do you think on the educations views on those with unbalenced learnings
Do you support building a new all singing dancing waste sewage plant

by Pete Burtenshaw on Fri 21 Mar 2008, 5:46 pm

Digger, the over spends are nothing but total incompetence and the buck should stop with the States of Guernsey and heads should role. But like every other over spend we here a lot of protectionary garbage and there is no accountability what so ever…Like it never happened in the first place. If we had extended our runway before we built a very expensive cold looking shell of an airport terminal then we would not find ourselves in this position. Why we did not just upgrade the original terminal is beyond me. Our sewage and other highly bacterial waste being pumped out to sea in this day and age is appalling and does nothing for Guernsey on the international scene especially within the tourist arena. Equally, why should locals swim in this sewage? We have policies in place which protect none smokers but swimming in affluent is acceptable!!!!!

Unless we can come up with an environmentally friendly workable, cheap alternative to landfill then he landfill is the only option. OK, recycling should increase the life of the landfill but let’s not kid ourselves and say recycling is the total answer because it is not. I hope that the new House have the courage to commit it self in finding the answer. I say lets have a public referendum on this and go with the majority.

The one thing that I have picked up on whilst standing for Deputy in St PP South is that you do not have too live in the parish too stand in the parish……’so why no island wide election then’…….I would most certainly vote in favour of island wide elections and this should be in place before the next general election in 2012.

Kat,

I must confess that GHA is doing what housing should have done years ago. Housing should have built, built, built much needed homes but they have not. Maybe some of the homes built by GHA are classed as undersized but they have to adhere to the same building regulations regardless at least they are building much needed homes.

Giving our land away for the purpose of building much need new homes may not sit well with some people (me included) but this was a decision made by our Government of the day. Also GHA have invested millions themselves in home building. Also at some stage our local building merchants and others have benefited from these homes being built which is not a bad thing.

Education is a very motivated issue and rightly so. All children irrespective of their educational capabilities have the rights to an education which will enhance their abilities, self esteem and future. Our Eduation Department have a legal duty in provideing educationional rights and antidiscrininjatory model. I must admit I would be interested in finding out the figures of teenagers who leave school with no qualifications who then have no future prospects which have massive implications for the teenager and his or her family. Equally, the tax payer at some stage will pick up the tab. I think I have addressed the sewage plant issue above, but I will add that the issue here is money. If only the overspends did not happen!!!!!

Pete

by **Digger** on Fri 21 Mar 2008, 6:40 pm

Thanks for the reply Pete Oh how i wish there were more with your train of thought standing , I hope you get in and are strong enough to put in practice what you stand for .

by Pete Burtenshaw on Fri 21 Mar 2008, 7:29 pm

Digger many thanks for your support and positive comments I can assure you it is very much appreciated. Hopefully a large amount of the new contingent that is standing will get elected (and hopefully I will be one of them) and therefore one hopes that there will not be the same barriers or ego’s getting in the way of the government doing the job it was elected for. I know one thing I will do all I can in ensuring the new House listens and listens good.

Pete

by GD on Tue 25 Mar 2008, 5:40 pm

Manifesto

LINKY

by GD on Thu 27 Mar 2008, 10:32 pm

You say that you would oppose the clousure of St Andrews & St Sampsons Junior Schools, but are they a viable concern when there is plenty of space in other primary schools

by GD on Thu 03 Apr 2008, 6:53 pm

We still await your reply to

Admin question of the week

by Pete Burtenshaw on Mon 14 Apr 2008, 7:36 am

The heart of any community is in the very amenities which encapsulates the pride of that community. We are destroying these communities bit by bit by closing pubs, churches and schools. I believe that the true reason behind the proposed closure of both St Andrews & St Sampson’s infants & junior Schools is purely down to money and nothing else. Look at the appalling state of affairs at St Peter Port School, how the pride for both staff and pupils must have been sucked out completely by the construction of a multi million pound arts centre on the very field used by generations of pupils. The question should be asked did we really need this arts centre?

The teachers and pupils then had to face a selection process dictating which schools the teachers and pupils would attend when St Sampson’s High is finished. What a traumatic event for all involved. The other important issue is that whichever schools the children go to from St PP it will put pressure on teachers because of the increase in class sizes which will also impact on the pupils thereby effecting grades and increase problems recruiting suitably qualified staff. Now if St Andrews and St Sampson’s junior close then the same principles apply. Our education system is being lead by failed education policies adopted from the UK, Gsy is using the UK like a template in so many areas and this is very sad indeed.

I applaud the efforts of all parents, pupils and staff from both schools because it shows how out of touch members of our governments and Education are regarding the needs of the communities. My principle will not change and I will vote against the closure of both St Andrews and St Sampson’s infants/juniors.

Burtenshaw. Peter

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