Deputy puts a good sepia spin on owning a boat
I SUPPOSE deputies De Lisle and Vermeulen are being ‘leaned on’ by the boating community to persuade the Assembly to rescind the decision to hike up mooring charges so they in turn are ‘leaning on’ their colleagues, who are only trying to balance the books. When facilities are provided, the staffing and upkeep has to be paid for. Deputy De Lisle, in his inimitable way, puts a very good sepia spin on a retro scenario of a cross between the dear old boys of Last Of The Summer Wine meets the characters from Tales Of The Riverbank, simply messing about in boats and all that.
Some do very nicely with their untaxed second income, I know I can’t afford £10 for a mackerel or £20 for a couple of scallops or a small crab but the hotels and restaurants snap up the fresh fish catches from back-door sales. I’m virtually house-bound and only get out once a week for shopping (thanks to a dear friend) because I can’t afford taxis anymore. I’m not blaming the taxi drivers, their overheads are astronomical, as is the cost of living these days, it’s a disgrace. But, I don’t see any boat-owners shaking their collecting tins on my or any other OAP’s behalf. Not that I’d want them to. I’m well attuned to the fact that if you can afford it, you can, if you can’t afford it, you can’t. Tough, that’s life. But to some self-gratification is paramount and comes across as very spoilt brattish and selfish.
Some of our islanders have a great challenge keeping body and soul together on a daily basis especially if they have children. When deputies Vermeulen and De Lisle have a window in their busy schedule why don’t they pop down to the food bank, run by the lovely Sue Le Friec, and see what’s what? It might put their perceived needs and demands into perspective. The grateful recipients aren’t stupid, feckless or grabbers, they are between a rock and a hard place often not knowing which way to turn in these straitened times.
The great and the good never have and never will be in the ignominious position of having to ask for food, but this isn’t an envy thing. I couldn’t give a flying fig what people have, it’s the have-nots I feel for. They can’t even afford the ferry to Herm for a sea trip for their children, even Beau Sejour is out of reach – imagine that for your children/grandchildren. Just walk a mile in the other man’s shoes.
If you are loath to check out the food bank in case some clients pelt you with rotten tomatoes (they wouldn’t) take Deputies Roffey and Queripel as back-up, they know the score – they’ve helped many Guernsey folk as best they could for donkey’s years between them. I always vote for them.
I voted for both Deputy De Lisle and Vermeulen at the last election too, because I thought they also were trustworthy Guernsey men with business acumen and as family men their nous was tempered with empathy for the less fortunate.
Was I wrong?
Jill Martel
8 Courtil Jacques
Burnt Lane
St Martin’s