A sad day for Cornwall Council
28/1/10Cllr Graeme Hicks' letter to The Cornishman newspaper today is couched in terms which any ordinary citizen should be ashamed to use, let alone a public official with senior responsibilities.
He likens John Maggs, the group’s spokesman, to Joseph Goebbels and Mike Sagar-Fenton to a Nazi, and he describes the large number of critics of the Cornwall Council scheme, ordinary well-informed intelligent citizens of Penzance, as "a discredited and utterly despicable mob"
His letter contains a number of other astonishing statements. For example, that "the claim that the vast majority have consistently opposed option A is unsubstantiated and lacks credibility". To assert this one would have to ignore:
• 2004 - public exhibition feedback - Option A rejected.
• 2008 - public exhibition feedback - Option A rejected by a margin of 85%.
• 2009 January - public exhibition feedback - Option A rejected by 66% (RP figures) 85% (exit poll figures).
• 2009 February - Option A rejected by Penzance Town Council with one only in favour.
• 2009 June - planning application rejected by 672 against, 8 in favour.
• 2009 August - "Cornishman" poll - 66% against.
• 2009 October - Open Public Meeting with M.P. (which Mr Hicks attempted to prevent and refused to attend) 500+ against, 3 in favour.
• 2009 December - second planning application - 669 against, 4 in favour.
• 2009 December - Cornwall Council Strategic Committee rejected Option A plans 12-7 (63%).
• 2010 January - second "Cornishman" poll - 70% against.
Only in a parallel universe could such a consistent expression of public opinion be described as "unsubstantiated".
He also states: "We have never suggested that the use of Falmouth would be a viable option". This not only contradicts some of his previous statements but cuts the ground from under fellow travellers such as the Penzance Chamber of Commerce and the Penzance and District Tourism Association. They have been so alarmed by statements that Falmouth was being considered a viable option that their support of Option A was largely based upon it. They have been gathering signatures in favour of Option A on what is now stated by the Council's Transport Portfolio Holder to be a false premise. We hope they will move to dissociate themselves with his current remarks.
He concludes by saying that "there is a rising tide of revulsion against Mr Maggs and his friends... residents have refused to be browbeaten by what can only be described as a discredited and utterly despicable mob, who have elevated selfishness and ruthlessness to such levels."
The Friends of Penzance Harbour were formed and have functioned to reflect the views of Penzance people who wished to oppose a scheme they emphatically didn't want. Their campaign has been fought openly and democratically without resort to personal abuse. It is the many sincere and genuine people represented in the above table of events who are being described as a "despicable mob". Mr Hicks has insulted not only ourselves but a large proportion of the people of Penzance.
Such gross slurs on both individuals and a large number of local residents are surely insupportable in a senior public figure. We therefore call for the resignation of Cllr Graeme Hicks with immediate effect, or failing this, his removal from post as a person unfit to hold public office. He has brought the entire council into disrepute which can only be mended by his removal.
Whatever the merits of the case, when public figures feel free to describe legitimate dissent in such terms, the whole basis of our democratic representation is in danger.
Text of letter from Cllr Graeme Hicks : download pdf | view pdf