'With no island vote, be careful with yours'
AT LAST. The race is on to select our next government. I, for one, cannot wait to cast my votes, but it is such a shame that we still do not have island-wide voting. Looking back to the 2012 election, the electorate voted for change. Well, we certainly got that.
Two schools now closed. Two schools now threatened with closure. Rearrangement of the Town seafront traffic flows which brought tears, anger and frustration to most of us.
A dysfunctional traffic strategy that failed at the first hurdle. Paid parking reared its ugly head yet again.
Sundays were changed forever for many people.
The threat of a goods and services tax continually hangs over us, never having been properly dismissed. A change to population policy which means affordable housing for our young islanders has moved further away than ever.
HSSD has staggered from one crisis to the next, leaving many issues still unresolved and questions unanswered. Is there a future for HSSD? Can we provide a sustainable health service? PSD has ground to a halt on the waste strategy, so we have no idea of costs or who will foot the bill.
And add to all this road closures which have reached epic proportions. And don't mention potholes.
No doubt readers can add many more items to this list. So, there you have four, unhappy, disastrous years for very many people.
So this time, I urge the electorate to be careful what you wish for.
Read the manifestos of each candidate in your district very, very carefully.
Close-question them on subjects that will really affect the lives of many people.
And if you really do want to see some statements that became 'classics' then read the manifestos from those candidates who stood for and were elected in 2012 and now seek re-election.
These make very interesting reading in view of what happened during their last four-year term. It is disconcerting how people change their tune once elected.
I am delighted to see so many new names coming forward this time. It is not easy being a deputy. It is certainly not a 9-5, Monday to Friday job, as one deputy seemed to think. Most weekends will be taken up with reading and dealing with concerns from the public and some people will expect you to deliver 24/7.
It can be stressful.
Paul Luxon will leave the States at the end of April after only a four-year term which he admitted he 'hadn't enjoyed a minute of'. On the other hand, the position can be very fulfilling and satisfying.
I wish all our brave candidates the very best of luck and would remind them all, never lie, or try to deceive, your electorate.
Things have a tendency to come back to bite you. Even four years down the line.
JANINE LE SAUVAGE,
Meadow View,
Les Hubits de Bas,
St Martin's,
GY4 6NB.
