Friday, August 03, 2012

Isle of Thanet Gazette - Honesty?

I just wonder if or how, the Editor of the Isle of Thanet Gazette, Rebecca Smith, could justify the account given in today's edition of the paper, of Thanet councils actions in interfering with my note taking at last weeks TDC Cabinet meeting.

I cannot help feeling, that had my actions been in any way consistent, with the papers report, (particularly the first paragraph) it would have been, reported elsewhere in terms a bit more excitable than these,

 " Tonight also marked the second time fellow blogger Tony Flaig left early after being challenged over the use of his phone in the public gallery. Given this, perhaps he might pick up pen and paper instead? Tony was using his phone to take notes on a WordPad type program, something that was shown in his defence. He was doing the same last time. He was not Twittering.  James Maskell - 'Ville Views

or this from Cllr Simon Moores "Fellow blogger, Tony Flaig, was in the public gallery but during the course of the meeting, I heard a larger than life commotion behind me and it appeared that he had been spotted, using his phone and suspected of covert 'twittering' by a security guard.

The report by the Gazette is totally inconsistent with my recollection, of events, naturally I was taken aback by the attitude of the security guard, so as I have mentioned previously, I left before the situation became heated.

I find the report inexplicable and frankly unbelievable.

26 comments:

  1. You definitely didn't swear. You said something when you were near the door, something to do with Labour but I couldn't hear it clearly.

    What's the latest on your complaint? Have you had written confirmation that there is a rule banning the use of mobile phones in the Chamber?

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  2. I received a response, thursday, but didn't get home till late, basically the author is sorry that i felt intimidated, not apparently sorry that a member of security staff was over-zealous.

    Thanet council waited almost 7 days to respond to my complaint.

    If you'd like a gander of the reply email me tonyflaig@gmail.com I'll post it on.

    Also sorry that earlier I had comment moderation on, having posted this late last night, I didn't want to encourage any late night type comments.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are rules to abide by when attending a council meeting, whether you be an employee, councillor or member of the public. No one is allowed to use mobile phones at an open council meeting and that includes even you.
      You have let yourself down and not for the first time in the past two weeks. Grovelling and apologising to a council tenant who had abused many in the past weeks by email as well as on the blog, he is a dispicable man .

      Delete
    2. What's all this about a council tenant and an apology from our Blog Master?

      Delete
  3. Don't be silly you can't expect the Gazette to be fair and balanced. The rag is not worth 5p let alone 75p (oops I did what they do, it should say 65p)

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    Replies
    1. I think you are being very unfair, the Gazette is a well written paper and all who work there are passionate about their job

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  4. Don't you think you've flogged this to death? Tony Beachcomber brought debate on this blog back to where it should be in a recent post - the local economy. Perhaps if you tackled important issues like that rather than keep banging on about this non-stiory, local "society" would be in a better place. And yes I'm a democrat - you're not the only one keen to wear that badge - but I maintain a sense of perspective.

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  5. 15 48 This particular post is about, the extraordinary version of events coming from the gazette,a paper owned by the Daily Mail publisher.

    In simple terms I'm asking Rebecca Smith to qualify a story published by her.

    I think if accurate Thanet council would have past comment in the email sent to me Thursday, to cloud the issue, as it was despite, admitting their own failure, no apology was forthcoming other than the author was sorry for my upset but not for the councils own short comings or indeed the fact it took almost seven days to respond.

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  6. As other comments have said about your complaint, Tony, your complaint is of very low importance as far as TDC and the people of Thanet are concerned. You are making yourself into a pompous laughing stock. You seem to have developed a hatred for the Labour let council which is clouding your once balanced views. We dont expect TDC to waste officer's time on this when you can do as others have done and use pen and paper.

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  7. What did it say in The Gazette then? I haven't read it.

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    Replies
    1. Buy a copy then. They are still in the supermarkets and newsagents.

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    2. Everyone here has been telling me it's a waste of money!

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  8. Replies
    1. Well if we knew your name yogi, you could be offered the post of village idiot and have considerably more fame.

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    2. That position seems to have been filled already Anon.

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  9. Honesty?
    In Isle of Thanet Gazette?
    Surely an oxymoron!
    I would settle for accuracy and even basic proof reading.

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  10. Nobody expects to read the truth in any rag passing itself off as an newspaper, all are controlled worthless pieces of paper that once had at least a real value as toilet paper and chip wrappers.

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    Replies
    1. Once? You must be a rich blighter if you can afford Andrex!

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  11. I wonder if the Gazette knows anything about the rumours that this famous chap might be standing ?

    http://www.kent.gov.uk/your_council/how_the_council_works/who_does_what/cabinet_members/paul_carter.aspx

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  12. Speaking of the media, is it just me, or is Captain Biggles Moores over on Thanet Life the spitting image of "Juan Sheet" in the kitchen towel adverts on television? Could this be yet another string to his bow?

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    Replies
    1. This one?

      http://www.lolblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/oneshit.png

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  13. When the media start telling the truth then I will consider reading it. Far too much is being kept hidden and they are part of it.

    Cameron:Treason from his very own lips!
    http://earthlinggb.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/cameron-treason-from-his-very-own-lips/

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  14. Has the security guard ever accepted that he was "Over zealous" or is he the victim of your own over zealous reporting ?

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