AWOL
A dictionary definition of “AWOL”: absent without official leave but without intent to desert.
I want to thank all the readers concerned about the silence on my blog who decided to send me messages. Please do not be alarmed-all is OK. My silence does not mean the end of S247-quite the contrary.
It just so happened that too many responsibilities fell on me at once. I had to sacrifice something (I stopped writing) to regain control of things starting to get out of hand. I wish I could say that everything is OK now-but unfortunately, I can’t. I still have to focus on something that shouldn’t be happening. If I sound enigmatic- please don’t worry: it’s just personal trouble. I need to devote a little more time to deal with it- that’s all.
WILL I RUN IN ELECTIONS?
It is becoming a tradition for S247 to stop publishing before the elections. The blog is a tool to show the residents that I am active, bringing improvements, and taking my responsibilities seriously during the term of office. Blog suppose to be my best and biggest election leaflet- it shows my best work.
I am the only councillor with 100% attendance at STC meetings. Looking closely at the STC’s activities, I have seen some things that could be improved, some of which have been corrected, resulting in significant financial savings for our town (30 ton less pellet burned in LC heating system; lights switched off in day-time at Leisure Centre; a grant for constructing a CCTV system and many more). In other words, I am satisfied with my performance over the last two years – I have done well for a newcomer. However, I must also admit that I have made some minor mistakes.
To err is human; to persist in error is foolishness. (Seneca)
SO? WILL I RUN OR NOT?
Whether I will run for a seat, my answer is 99% per cent: yes. However, 100% of my family voted no. Mainly because they know me and they were very concerned about one of the articles I published on 2 January 2023 (if you don’t know what this is about, then find the articles published on 2 January- you will probably understand why my family doesn’t want me to continue as a councillor). Only my family knows the real reason for this article, and only they know that in my past career as a journalist, I have been known not to let such topics go (shoutout to GLAA). Hence their concern.
I am not going to give way to evil. I have never done that so far, and that will not change. I exercise my mandate out of a vocation, not a desire for power or money. STC councillors work for free, and I’m willing to continue to do so. If residents choose to send me to BDC, I will conduct my duties as I do in STC: to the best of my abilities.
My life would have been much easier if I had stepped aside and walked off into the sunset. My primary mission is accomplished- I inspired a group of locals (Conservatives and Independents) to stand up to Sme.Old.Labour. This will be a fascinating election, and I am 100% sure- Shirebrook will not be last on the voter participation list!
If you live in South Shirebrook- you will soon receive my first election leaflet. I will post a copy on the blog for residents watching me from the north. I don’t have time (and sadly- money) for more. I trust that the regular readers of S247 still want to read what is going on inside STC and will go to the election this time. I also ask you to bring your children, wives, friends, and partners. Show the world that you care about your home, about Shirebrook. WE CAN’T BE LAST AGAIN IN VOTER PARTICIPATION!
THIS IS JUST BEGINNING
The next few weeks will be highly demanding to me also for professional reasons. This is an additional reason why I need to reduce S247 activity. I work in an occupation with a very high mortality rate. There is absolutely no way I can go to work unrested or sleep-deprived. My professional work has been, is, and will continue to be at the forefront of my mind. My work is exhausting, tedious and does not forgive mistakes.
The mistakes I make in my work as a councillor cost nothing. No one. They are just words that some people LOVE to be offended by. Its so trendy these days- to be offended by harmless words… What’s more- when I made a mistake and wrote that Labour wanted to raise taxes by 25% before they announced it officially, I got them to change their plans, and they raised taxes ‘only’ by 15%. In doing so, I saved the residents £70,000. So this mistake was good for all of us.
If I make a mistake in my professional work- I will die or kill innocent people. I want to change my job, but unfortunately, I am good at it, and what is worse- despite the danger, I love my work. Even if it exhausts me physically and mentally- in it, I am doing something good. I am respected and liked by the people around me, and I appreciate and like them. I continually receive FREE training to get even better- oh, what a change from the life of a councillor in Labour-led area. Two years as a councillor, and I got ZERO minutes of training or training materials.
In short, it’s a blessing to be doing what I like in a place I like because I know many people don’t have that situation.
ELECTION CAMPAIGN
I want to prepare well for the election campaign. The truth is that the outcome will change my life. I like to plan ahead: a lack of planning is a plan for failure. So I have a plan for every eventuality. Being a councillor is a huge responsibility, which I take very seriously. Winning means that I am tied to Shirebrook for another four years. If I win- only the end of the world, an alien invasion (btw- Im pro alien), or serious health problems could cause me not to complete my term of office.
If I lose: there are a hundred doors to choose from, and each one is more exciting than the previous one. No matter which of these doors I choose, I will need time to implement my new plans, so I will stay in Shirebrook. During that time, the blog will run smoothly (as I will have more time). I may eventually find the time and strength to complete the Business Directory.
LIVE AND LEARN
Today I know that a councillor cannot criticise Civil Servants in public. Live and learn, right? So the deleted article will stay tucked away for now (of course, I’ve kept a copy of it- I can restore it at the push of a button). Then, if I lose the election- I’ll be able to criticise whoever I like. So this article will be back on the site supplemented with additional data I’ve managed to dig up.
At this point, even Labour Party should want me to win 😉 I will welcome the votes of those Labour Party members who share my view that Chris Kane and his buddy- Steve Fritchley, are the political scourge that has plagued this town for far too long. Labour Party members- STC need people who love Shirebrook and want to improve it! Run for a seat! If you think current councillors can change this town for the better- look in the past and see how many years they have to do it! This is what they achieved: highest taxes, highest crime, highest Covid death rate, highest wages spending, almost 80 tonnes of pellets burned in LOCKDOWN when the Leisure Centre was closed and 50 this year- when the Leisure Centre was fully open.
WHAT NOW?
For now, I am writing a motion to discuss and clarify these strange entries in the STC budget financial documents. I will record the discussion (unless Chris Kane chickens out and skips my proposed agenda item again or he decides to make it EXEMPT) and post it on the blog (unless it will be EXEMPT). Residents have a right to know what happened there. It was BIG!
Second– I wrote FOI to find out how much Leisure Centre pays for kWh of electricity; how much we earn through those huge solar panels on the roof of the Leisure Centre. Since electricity prices went high- my friends who own solar panels are happy. Oh, so happy. I already did one FOI about that in August of 2022 but… no reply. No criticism here- just note.
THAT’S ALL, FOLKS! FOR NOW, OFC!
I stress again- S247 will publish less or nothing in the coming weeks. I will be back after the election.
See you at the doorstep.
PS I wish good luck to all the residents who have decided to stand for election and challenge the nepotism, corruption, highest taxes, highest spending, highest wages, highest crime and do-nothingness that prevails in STC under Chris Kane and Steve Fritchley. GOOD LUCK!
Sylwester Zwierzynski info@shirebrook247.com
