BNP at root of campaign against taxi rank
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED: I feel the time has come for me to respond to the increasingly bitter personal attacks made on me by Steve Davies, the proprietor of the Beer Emporium off-licence in Burslem (Councillor's rank bad solution, The Sentinel, December 17). For readers who may not be aware, Mr Davies, pictured, has been campaigning against the siting of a taxi rank near his shop and for some reason appears to hold me personally responsible for what he feels was a wrong decision. If only I had that kind of power within the council I could snap my fingers and instantly solve all the long-standing problems in Burslem! In reality, it was problems caused by vehicles illegally plying for hire and the ongoing regeneration of the town which convinced the Burslem Regeneration Company and the council of the need for a permanent central taxi rank to safeguard the public and taxi drivers alike.
There is, however, another side to Mr Davies' campaign which he has so far kept well under wraps, namely that he is a member of the British National Party and stood as an election candidate for them in Alsager, where he lives. It leaves me in little doubt that this campaign has been directed against me as someone who has consistently taken a stand against the BNP.
Steve, the people of Burslem over many years have shown their fondness for beer, but please leave your BNP campaigns in Alsager as they are not wanted in Burslem. For as long as I can remember, people from different backgrounds have got along together in Burslem.
JOY GARNER Burslem North Councillor
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by Chris, Stoke
Friday, January 02 2009, 12:45PM
“Joy Garner's comments are irrelevant, inappropriate and patronising towards the people of Burslem. I question her capacity to be involved in government, given her demonstrable lack of judgment contained in that vitriolic and subversive passage.”
by James, Penkhull
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 11:50AM
“Intimidation? Hardly. More likely Joy Garner is trying to use the race card by playing on stereotype of taxi drivers. Besides, BNP members and supporters are hardly in a position to lecture anyone about intimidation.”
by Chris Cooper, newcastle under lyme
Tuesday, December 30 2008, 12:22AM
“Joy when you say leave the BNP campaigns in Alsager, do you mean that the gentleman is not entitled to comment or participate in Politics in the City? Well you are obviously unaware that he can participate, he can stand as a candidate even, i think it is yourself that requires the reality check. Unbelievable that you chose to react in this manner, when no reaction would have been the "manly" thing to have done, given your position.Thats why, if you had not noticed you have Officers, or have you already used the auspices of the Councils "Press Office", for that well manicured riposte to an uneventful issue wishing to generate some stronger reactions from the more reactionary members of the "pro" Democracy contingent in Stoke, who are hell bent on destroying any semblance of collective reactions to Political Issues.
Actions like these Joy will redirect further potential Voters to the Arm Chair Party on Election Day, you are doing a superb job of achieving that which you have set out not to do. Well done Joy Garner the waining of Democracy in this City salutes you.”
by Norman, Kidsgrove
Monday, December 29 2008, 7:52PM
“Seems to a casual observer, that Mr Davies simply objects to the taxi rank because of the impact on his business. If he has previously stood as a candidate for election, he isn't keeping his political affiliation under wraps, nor should he, although fail to see what relevance it has to this matter.
These so called politicians, local and national, who masquerade as "labour" bear no resemblance to real labour politicians, in fact they are an insult to the memory and achievements of the great Labour Pioneers.”
by Robbie, Kidsgrove
Monday, December 29 2008, 7:16PM
“It would simply appear to a casual observer, that Mr Davies democratically objects to the proposed Taxi Rank because of the impact on his business. If he has previously stood as a candidate for election, clearly he has not kept his political affiliation under wraps. Although this should not be relevant.
These politician, local and national, who masquerade under the "Labour" banner bear no resemblance to real Labour politicians, indeed they are an insult to the memory and achievements to those great Labour pioneers.”