Why won't the States use a local architect?
AT LAST, congratulations to our States are due – they seem to have understood the message and voted against spending money they do not have.
La Mare de Carteret may have to wait a little while to have the gold-plated replacement school with all the facilities of a state-of-the-art new build.
The architects of this proposed build are not Guernsey-based, but (as I understand it) were successful in gaining the brief to design Les Beaucamps School.
One has to wonder why an off-island group of architects are so much better than our own home-grown designers.
At the time Les Beaucamps was awarded to off-island architects, it was said there was a bias towards off-island 'experts'.
One has to assume the build went flawlessly with absolutely no problems. Are the materials specified for the building easily obtainable here?
Contractors who do not employ their own labour will, naturally, tender out to the cheapest bidder, usually off-island – that means no work for locals and no tax paid (or at least it may be paid but recovered at the end of the year).
We were promised 'joined-up government' – that promise has been broken time after time.
Transparent? Just about as transparent as bathroom glazing.
Mrs McGreevy says, 'Harbour dues must rise to halt harbour decline'.
Perhaps, but whose fault is the decline? Is it wear and tear? Is it insufficient investment?
We have just invested in two new cranes and now boaters are facing a doubling of harbour dues with no additional facilities to enjoy. Other marinas have hose-pipes, showers, toilets, free electricity, and wifi for their tenants – oh, and of course some marinas are 24-hour access.
Between 1984 and 1989 QEII marina was born, paid for by subscriptions from boat owners.
They also paid for the parking at Salerie and North Beach.
Perhaps Mrs McGreevy should be a little aware who paid for the marina that is being allowed no additional support or capital investment.
To anyone who is reading this letter and finds my thoughts of interest and are resident of St Peter Port, please attend the parish meetings.
If you are interested in politics, if you think Enough is Enough have points that need to be made, please get on the electoral roll and vote.
The more thinking, intelligent people who get involved, the better our island can become.
R. HENDERSON,
Ma Carriere,
Le Petit Bouet,
St Peter Port,
GY1 2AN.
