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Mayor and a gentleman
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| Chain gang: Councillor John Marshall is the new Mayor of Barnet |
Glowing accolades marked the election of Councillor John Marshall to the mayoralty of Barnet on Tuesday night.
Councillor John Harper, who proposed Mr Marshall for the post, described it as a "fitting crowning" for the new mayor's public service career.
Speaking at the handover cere-mony at Barnet Town Hall, he said: "During the past three years, I have appreciated the respect and affection with which Councillor Marshall is known, not just in Hampstead Garden Suburb ward, but across Barnet and beyond.
"Since 1998, when he joined Barnet Council, he has shown himself to be an energetic, diligent and effective member, and in his two cabinet posts he has proved to be passionate about education and the creation of a ladder of opportunity' for our young people."
Mr Harper commended outgoing Mayor Maureen Braun as "a hard act to follow," with her "great enthusiasm and dedication" to the job.
Councillor Melvin Cohen, seconding the nomination, described him as a "man of integrity and principle," and said: "John has a wealth of experience in local, national and international politics. Even his political opponents have regarded him as a true gentleman."
The mayor said of his appointment: "It is a great honour to be elected as the Mayor of Barnet and I hope to justify the faith that has been put in me."
Mrs Braun spoke warmly of her 12 months in office and thanked colleagues and family for support.
She said: "I have had an absolutely magical year."
Joining 67-year-old Mr Marshall as the 44th Mayor of Barnet is his friend Rosie Daniels as Mayoress, Councillor Mukesh Depala as Deputy Mayor and his wife Sadhana as Deputy Mayoress.
The Mayor's charities are Barnet Carers Centre, which supports informal carers in the borough, and Chai Cancer Care, which helps cancer sufferers and their families.
Mr Marshall, a financial journalist and former stockbroker, was born in London and educated at St Andrews University in Scotland.
Before Barnet, he was a councillor in Aberdeen and Ealing and was MEP for London North between 1979 and 1989.
He was MP for Hendon South between 1987 and 1997, including time as parliamentary private secretary to the Leader of the House of Commons between 1992 and 1995.
7:33pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Don't Call Me Dave, People's Republic of Barnet on 2:19am Thu 15 May 08
I am very pleased at John Marshall's election as Mayor as now he won't be able to sell off any more playing fields.
I am very pleased at John Marshall's election as Mayor as now he won't be able to sell off any more playing fields.
Posted by: Helen, Barnet on 9:54am Thu 15 May 08
Dear me "Don't Call Me Dave, People's Republic" you really should think about standing for council yourself, all you ever do is moan and criticise!
Dear me "Don't Call Me Dave, People's Republic" you really should think about standing for council yourself, all you ever do is moan and criticise!
Posted by: Helen, Barnet on 9:55am Thu 15 May 08
Dear me "Don't Call Me Dave, People's Republic" you really should think about standing for council yourself, all you ever do is moan and criticise!
Dear me "Don't Call Me Dave, People's Republic" you really should think about standing for council yourself, all you ever do is moan and criticise!
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 10:14am Thu 15 May 08
Helen,
Can we take it from your comment that you think everyone who disagrees with selling playing fields should stand for the council?
Has it ever occurred to you that maybe the reason we are seeing so many teenage murders is the lack of sports facilities, youth clubs etc in London? It seems even Boris Johnson has acknoweldged this. I just hope and pray that this unacceptable practise is stopped.
I am surprised that anyone would criticise Dave for caring about the youth of Barnet. Then again I'm not a Tory so I guess I don't understand your thought process at all really.
Helen,
Can we take it from your comment that you think everyone who disagrees with selling playing fields should stand for the council?
Has it ever occurred to you that maybe the reason we are seeing so many teenage murders is the lack of sports facilities, youth clubs etc in London? It seems even Boris Johnson has acknoweldged this. I just hope and pray that this unacceptable practise is stopped.
I am surprised that anyone would criticise Dave for caring about the youth of Barnet. Then again I'm not a Tory so I guess I don't understand your thought process at all really.
Posted by: Helen, Barnet on 12:58pm Thu 15 May 08
Actually Rog I think there is more to teenage murders than keeping a few playing fields actually.
What most kids need are love and attention from parents and a clip round the ear to bring them back into line at times. Instead they get the rule of the land because their elders are too scared to discipline them incase they are hauled before the courts for child abuse.
I used to run a local youth club and do you know something I would never ever do it again, no one was grateful, I got a lot of abuse from the kids and more so the parents.
What these kids need are some discipline, love and a dealing with as soon as they begin to drift. More police powers to stop and search those who carry knives and a prison sentence which would worry someone who was caught with a knife. Instead we have a caution and a slap on the wrist.
Actually Rog I think there is more to teenage murders than keeping a few playing fields actually.
What most kids need are love and attention from parents and a clip round the ear to bring them back into line at times. Instead they get the rule of the land because their elders are too scared to discipline them incase they are hauled before the courts for child abuse.
I used to run a local youth club and do you know something I would never ever do it again, no one was grateful, I got a lot of abuse from the kids and more so the parents.
What these kids need are some discipline, love and a dealing with as soon as they begin to drift. More police powers to stop and search those who carry knives and a prison sentence which would worry someone who was caught with a knife. Instead we have a caution and a slap on the wrist.
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 2:07pm Thu 15 May 08
Helen,
The type of kids who are killing each other often don't have two loving parents on hand. They join gangs to boost their self esteem.
What they need is to be diverted into more worthwhile activities, such as sports, music etc.
If you sell/close all of the facilites this is what happens. The solution is to stop kids joining street gangs, not locking them up.
I've been involved in all sorts of voluntary organisations. You don't do it so that people tell you hat you are marvellous, you do it so that some way down the line you see that you've made a difference in peoples lives. Often people tell you years later, when they've grown up and matured. I suspect you were running your club for the wrong reasons, based on you comments.
Helen,
The type of kids who are killing each other often don't have two loving parents on hand. They join gangs to boost their self esteem.
What they need is to be diverted into more worthwhile activities, such as sports, music etc.
If you sell/close all of the facilites this is what happens. The solution is to stop kids joining street gangs, not locking them up.
I've been involved in all sorts of voluntary organisations. You don't do it so that people tell you hat you are marvellous, you do it so that some way down the line you see that you've made a difference in peoples lives. Often people tell you years later, when they've grown up and matured. I suspect you were running your club for the wrong reasons, based on you comments.
Posted by: John, Finchley on 4:24pm Thu 15 May 08
Does Rog T need to have the final word on everything?
And is it strictly necessary for him to make personal remarks critisising the integrity of those who have differing opinions?
Does Rog T need to have the final word on everything?
And is it strictly necessary for him to make personal remarks critisising the integrity of those who have differing opinions?
Posted by: John, Finchley on 4:24pm Thu 15 May 08
Does Rog T need to have the final word on everything?
And is it strictly necessary for him to make personal remarks critisising the integrity of those who have differing opinions?
Does Rog T need to have the final word on everything?
And is it strictly necessary for him to make personal remarks critisising the integrity of those who have differing opinions?
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 6:12pm Thu 15 May 08
Dear John,
In answer to your 1st question, I will post a response if someone says something I disagree with such as Helen. In answer to your 2nd question. Helen stated that she ran a youth club, with the implication she helped lots of underprivilidged people. She stated that she stopped running it because the kids & parents never said thank you. She stated they all needed a good thump to sort them out (or words to that effect).
Now I found her comment offensive because if all supposedly community minded individuals downed tools, purely because they didn't get praised, no one would do anything. It doesn't surprise me that bad mannered parents had bad mannered children. Helen had a chance to make a difference. She could have set an example. She chose not to. As such I object to her coming on here and making the statements she made.
I've tried and failed at many things in life, I wouldn't lecture other people on these subjects. If I feel I have been successful at something, then maybe I have something to say. Oh and you don't berate Helen for making personal criticisms of Dave do you.
Anyway, all of that aside, good luck with your year as Mayor John. I hope you have a good year and raise lots of money for whatever charity's you choose to help.
Dear John,
In answer to your 1st question, I will post a response if someone says something I disagree with such as Helen. In answer to your 2nd question. Helen stated that she ran a youth club, with the implication she helped lots of underprivilidged people. She stated that she stopped running it because the kids & parents never said thank you. She stated they all needed a good thump to sort them out (or words to that effect).
Now I found her comment offensive because if all supposedly community minded individuals downed tools, purely because they didn't get praised, no one would do anything. It doesn't surprise me that bad mannered parents had bad mannered children. Helen had a chance to make a difference. She could have set an example. She chose not to. As such I object to her coming on here and making the statements she made.
I've tried and failed at many things in life, I wouldn't lecture other people on these subjects. If I feel I have been successful at something, then maybe I have something to say. Oh and you don't berate Helen for making personal criticisms of Dave do you.
Anyway, all of that aside, good luck with your year as Mayor John. I hope you have a good year and raise lots of money for whatever charity's you choose to help.
Posted by: David Miller, Barnet on 8:06pm Thu 15 May 08
I agree with Don’t Call Me Dave on this one. Last year I ‘exchanged’ letters with John Marshall in the other Barnet paper. He tried to justify the sale of one playing field on the grounds that it was overgrown with brambles and another because it was waterlogged. Oh well, let’s pull down the Town Hall as well, I think one of the window frames is broken! The Conservatives have no mandate to concrete over our green spaces and, as a party member, I was ashamed by John Marshall’s actions. I wish him good luck as Mayor but good riddance from the Cabinet.
I agree with Don’t Call Me Dave on this one. Last year I ‘exchanged’ letters with John Marshall in the other Barnet paper. He tried to justify the sale of one playing field on the grounds that it was overgrown with brambles and another because it was waterlogged. Oh well, let’s pull down the Town Hall as well, I think one of the window frames is broken! The Conservatives have no mandate to concrete over our green spaces and, as a party member, I was ashamed by John Marshall’s actions. I wish him good luck as Mayor but good riddance from the Cabinet.
Posted by: livefromnlbp on 8:29pm Thu 15 May 08
I think john will be a great mayor of barnet.
I think john will be a great mayor of barnet.
Posted by: John, Finchley on 11:36pm Thu 15 May 08
That'll be a yes then....
That'll be a yes then....
Posted by: Don't Call Me Dave, People's Republic of Barnet on 1:04am Fri 16 May 08
I’m sorry Helen, I didn’t realise that only elected politicians were allowed to criticise. I thought we lived in a democracy with free speech for all. Elected politicians have enormous influence over our lives by virtue of their tax raising powers. It is therefore incumbent on all of us to scrutinise every decision they take. Cllr Marshall’s decision to sell off playing fields was a major error which will have long term repercussions, but possibly not until after his political career has ended.
On the one hand, we have the council telling us how much the population of the borough is going to grow over the next decade, and on the other they are selling off valuable land that is deemed to be surplus. What is the council going to do when it suddenly realises that it isn’t surplus anymore? Perhaps it assumes that none of the incoming residents will have children? More likely, it simply doesn’t care. Flog it all off to ensure that councillors and chief officers can have massive wage rises, and when the proverbial eventually hits the fan, none of them will still be in power to have to pick up the pieces.
So Helen, I will continue to moan and criticise because I have lived in Barnet for most of my life, hope to continue for a good while longer, and don’t want to see a wonderful leafy borough turned into a sterile sprawling metropolis.
I’m sorry Helen, I didn’t realise that only elected politicians were allowed to criticise. I thought we lived in a democracy with free speech for all. Elected politicians have enormous influence over our lives by virtue of their tax raising powers. It is therefore incumbent on all of us to scrutinise every decision they take. Cllr Marshall’s decision to sell off playing fields was a major error which will have long term repercussions, but possibly not until after his political career has ended.
On the one hand, we have the council telling us how much the population of the borough is going to grow over the next decade, and on the other they are selling off valuable land that is deemed to be surplus. What is the council going to do when it suddenly realises that it isn’t surplus anymore? Perhaps it assumes that none of the incoming residents will have children? More likely, it simply doesn’t care. Flog it all off to ensure that councillors and chief officers can have massive wage rises, and when the proverbial eventually hits the fan, none of them will still be in power to have to pick up the pieces.
So Helen, I will continue to moan and criticise because I have lived in Barnet for most of my life, hope to continue for a good while longer, and don’t want to see a wonderful leafy borough turned into a sterile sprawling metropolis.
Posted by: Callum, Barnet on 11:37pm Fri 16 May 08
I heard at the meeting that Duncan Macdonald is going to resign
I heard at the meeting that Duncan Macdonald is going to resign
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 9:05am Sat 17 May 08
So who is taking over Mr Marshall's role as "Cabinet Minister responsible for selling playing fields and decimating facilities for local youngsters" now he's the mayor.
I'd be interested to know details of all playing fields sold or abandoned, libraries closed and other ameneties got rid of since the Tories took over at Barnet. Can anyone help me find out?
And Dave you continue to moan and I'll continue to agree with you until they stop their mission to turn Barnet into a suburban concrete jungle. And yes John, I will continue to try and get the final word and say nasty things about people who disagree with me until they stop trying to destroy all the good things in Barnet !!!!!
A far wiser and more successful politician than you said of their opponent Tam Dalyell when asked their opinion of his persistent questioning regarding the Belgrano "The great strength of our system are the awkward individuals who continue to ask the difficult questions".
So who is taking over Mr Marshall's role as "Cabinet Minister responsible for selling playing fields and decimating facilities for local youngsters" now he's the mayor.
I'd be interested to know details of all playing fields sold or abandoned, libraries closed and other ameneties got rid of since the Tories took over at Barnet. Can anyone help me find out?
And Dave you continue to moan and I'll continue to agree with you until they stop their mission to turn Barnet into a suburban concrete jungle. And yes John, I will continue to try and get the final word and say nasty things about people who disagree with me until they stop trying to destroy all the good things in Barnet !!!!!
A far wiser and more successful politician than you said of their opponent Tam Dalyell when asked their opinion of his persistent questioning regarding the Belgrano "The great strength of our system are the awkward individuals who continue to ask the difficult questions".
Posted by: John, Finchley on 11:25am Sat 17 May 08
Dear Rog T,
I love the way you compare yourself to "a far wiser and more successful politican", when you are mothing of the sort otherwise reporters would be writing about you rather than you writing about yourself.
If you want to ask the awkward questions, you should get yourself elected to Council or better even - Parliment.
Still if posting your own messgaes in this little arena makes you happy and feel self important, who are we to deny you your moment of self pleasuring.
Regards, John.
Dear Rog T,
I love the way you compare yourself to "a far wiser and more successful politican", when you are mothing of the sort otherwise reporters would be writing about you rather than you writing about yourself.
If you want to ask the awkward questions, you should get yourself elected to Council or better even - Parliment.
Still if posting your own messgaes in this little arena makes you happy and feel self important, who are we to deny you your moment of self pleasuring.
Regards, John.
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 2:49pm Sat 17 May 08
"John",
Posting "my own messages in this little arena" makes me anything but happy. I post them because I am deeply unhappy with the performance and policies of the council which my business rates and council tax pay for. I chose to start posting here because I happen to agree with Dave's comments about the selling off of playing fields.
I wish the council did such a good job that there was no need to comment.
I wasn't comparing myself to anyone. I was pointing out to you that it is good to have a debate about policies and issues, a practice to which you seem to object.
As to self pleasuring, you seem to be an expert, maybe you should write a book on the subject. By the way, are you sure your name is John, your spellings and turn of phrase looks rather like someone else to me? I think we've had a little debate on this subject before? Why do you play these little games?
Regards
Rog T
"John",
Posting "my own messages in this little arena" makes me anything but happy. I post them because I am deeply unhappy with the performance and policies of the council which my business rates and council tax pay for. I chose to start posting here because I happen to agree with Dave's comments about the selling off of playing fields.
I wish the council did such a good job that there was no need to comment.
I wasn't comparing myself to anyone. I was pointing out to you that it is good to have a debate about policies and issues, a practice to which you seem to object.
As to self pleasuring, you seem to be an expert, maybe you should write a book on the subject. By the way, are you sure your name is John, your spellings and turn of phrase looks rather like someone else to me? I think we've had a little debate on this subject before? Why do you play these little games?
Regards
Rog T
Posted by: John, Finchley on 5:48pm Sat 17 May 08
Sad really, how Rog T has to have the final word.
Sad really, how Rog T has to have the final word.
Posted by: Harry Griffen, Colindale on 5:55pm Sat 17 May 08
John in Finchley - Looks like you got the last word in to me :^)
John in Finchley - Looks like you got the last word in to me :^)
Posted by: Helen, High Barnet on 5:59pm Sat 17 May 08
The endless postings by Mr T are pathetic to be honest.
But I doubt it's the last we'll be reading from him.
The endless postings by Mr T are pathetic to be honest.
But I doubt it's the last we'll be reading from him.
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 9:25am Sun 18 May 08
I just thought I'd give a quick summary of this debate for the benefit of those who lost track. Dave and Rog think that John Marshall is not a suitable man to be Mayor because he sold off lots of playing fields, depriving local kids of the opportunity to play sport. Helen thinks children shouldn't have these facilities because they and their parents didn't say thank you to her when she ran a youth club. "John" AKA **** ***** thinks that only his mates on the council should be allowed to comment about council policy. "John" and Helen think that it is wrong for Rog T to say nasty things about them, but it's OK for them to insult him & Dave.
"John" and Helen think that this forum should only be used to say nice things about the Tory Policy and people like Rog T are pathetic and derive sexual pleasure from observing council policy. Rog T thinks a bit of debate about what the council is up to is a good thing and thinks that current council policy is quite upsetting and in no way sexually arousing.
Helen and "John" think Rog T likes to have the last word. They are probably right. Rog T expects another post from them to try and get the last word, he's probably right as well.
I just thought I'd give a quick summary of this debate for the benefit of those who lost track. Dave and Rog think that John Marshall is not a suitable man to be Mayor because he sold off lots of playing fields, depriving local kids of the opportunity to play sport. Helen thinks children shouldn't have these facilities because they and their parents didn't say thank you to her when she ran a youth club. "John" AKA **** ***** thinks that only his mates on the council should be allowed to comment about council policy. "John" and Helen think that it is wrong for Rog T to say nasty things about them, but it's OK for them to insult him & Dave.
"John" and Helen think that this forum should only be used to say nice things about the Tory Policy and people like Rog T are pathetic and derive sexual pleasure from observing council policy. Rog T thinks a bit of debate about what the council is up to is a good thing and thinks that current council policy is quite upsetting and in no way sexually arousing.
Helen and "John" think Rog T likes to have the last word. They are probably right. Rog T expects another post from them to try and get the last word, he's probably right as well.
Posted by: Sword of Truth, Cricklewood on 1:21pm Tue 20 May 08
Come on Rog, spill the beans, who is this "John" fella?
Come on Rog, spill the beans, who is this "John" fella?
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 2:18pm Wed 21 May 08
My Dear Mr "Sword", If I revealed the true identity of our mystery fiend, then I might have to prove it, and if I had to prove it, I'd have to reveal my informant and if I revealed my informant, then I'd not have an informant any more and if I didn't have my informant any more, then I'd no longer have such a rich and embarrassing source of information and if I didn't have such a rich and embarrassing source of information, then all sorts of things would come to pass without anyone ever being held to account, which would be very sad, so sorry no, I'll just have to drop hints and leave it to all of your imaginations until our mystery fiend really slips up, at which time they will be duly despatched to where they belong (ie The dustbin of history) !!! And thank you very much, my mystery informant, I know you are watching this and enjoying it very much in your secret hidy-hole !!!! Heh Heh Heh
My Dear Mr "Sword", If I revealed the true identity of our mystery fiend, then I might have to prove it, and if I had to prove it, I'd have to reveal my informant and if I revealed my informant, then I'd not have an informant any more and if I didn't have my informant any more, then I'd no longer have such a rich and embarrassing source of information and if I didn't have such a rich and embarrassing source of information, then all sorts of things would come to pass without anyone ever being held to account, which would be very sad, so sorry no, I'll just have to drop hints and leave it to all of your imaginations until our mystery fiend really slips up, at which time they will be duly despatched to where they belong (ie The dustbin of history) !!! And thank you very much, my mystery informant, I know you are watching this and enjoying it very much in your secret hidy-hole !!!! Heh Heh Heh
Posted by: Truth be, Told on 5:01pm Fri 30 May 08
Truth be told, Rog T is a sad little man who thinks he'll change the world by posting comments on this site.
Truth be told, Rog T beleives he's up against a senior Tory: be he's sadly mistaken.
Truth be told, if Rog T has an informant who suggests that a senior Tory is locking horns with him, then that 'informant' is just plain wrong.
Perhaps this informant works for the Barnet Times? That would explain why the BT is so left wing and why it never managed toswing the outcome of any election ever: Watergate and the Washington Post it's not, that's why the Reporters are working in Hendon not Fleet Street.
Truth be told, Rog T has delusions of grandure and yes, the sad little man always has to have the final word.
Truth be told, Rog T is a sad little man who thinks he'll change the world by posting comments on this site.
Truth be told, Rog T beleives he's up against a senior Tory: be he's sadly mistaken.
Truth be told, if Rog T has an informant who suggests that a senior Tory is locking horns with him, then that 'informant' is just plain wrong.
Perhaps this informant works for the Barnet Times? That would explain why the BT is so left wing and why it never managed toswing the outcome of any election ever: Watergate and the Washington Post it's not, that's why the Reporters are working in Hendon not Fleet Street.
Truth be told, Rog T has delusions of grandure and yes, the sad little man always has to have the final word.
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