Where to locate the new landfill site?
Bennadrove is closing, and we have nowhere to put our refuse. This is serious problem, and one the Council have to take a decision on very quickly, or leave us with nowhere to dump our rubbish.*
The Comhairle identify two or three sites that might be suitable geologically; that meet the SEPA requirements; and, that are in a sensible location in Lewis.
The local communities affected demand a referendum, and every one refuses to have the landfill site in their locality. Consequently, the Comhairle accept this decision, cancel refuse collections for the entire island, and spend the money on advertising to attract tourists.
Scenario 2: the Comhairle choose the best location; acknowledge but override the objections of local community, and provide compensatory measures; and, the Councillors live with the outcome of their decision.
No-one in their right mind would go for the first scenario, so why is it sensible to do the same with a Lewis windfarm, but not with housing schemes, open-cast coal mines, incinerators, MSPs salaries or prisons? Because politicians are paid to take decisions, not to duck them.
Referenda are the last refuge of the fence-sitter and "special cases" should always be avoided, as they show an inability to take a view.
I'm independent of thought, and many people don't like that. But, vote for Yes-men or the congenitally indecisive and see where you end up. About 18 months ago I wrote to the West Highland pointing out that debate and (friendly and constructive) disagreement was the lifeblood of a political party. I have always believed that, and always will, as the other way lies madness. Sadly, some people in my own party do not accept that and (almost) want to see a personality cult of absolute infallibility and consequently an unwillingness to discuss the issues, as they know (sic) the personality is right (sic, sic) irrespective of the inconvenient facts. Ho, hum.
Reality is not bigger than any one individual, and I am not the blindly driven party animal or easily manipulated non-entity to care about having to toe a line -- and I feel better and liberated for doing so. Am I the awkward squad? Do I care? Do I live by my principles, rather than do what I am told? Yes to the latter. More of this later, as I am having fun with the inability of others to hold a rational - arguable - political position.
* This is hypothetical, but if the £500,000 of capital expenditure at Bennadrove doesn't placate SEPA it may be a reality in the next few years.
The Comhairle identify two or three sites that might be suitable geologically; that meet the SEPA requirements; and, that are in a sensible location in Lewis.
The local communities affected demand a referendum, and every one refuses to have the landfill site in their locality. Consequently, the Comhairle accept this decision, cancel refuse collections for the entire island, and spend the money on advertising to attract tourists.
Scenario 2: the Comhairle choose the best location; acknowledge but override the objections of local community, and provide compensatory measures; and, the Councillors live with the outcome of their decision.
No-one in their right mind would go for the first scenario, so why is it sensible to do the same with a Lewis windfarm, but not with housing schemes, open-cast coal mines, incinerators, MSPs salaries or prisons? Because politicians are paid to take decisions, not to duck them.
Referenda are the last refuge of the fence-sitter and "special cases" should always be avoided, as they show an inability to take a view.
I'm independent of thought, and many people don't like that. But, vote for Yes-men or the congenitally indecisive and see where you end up. About 18 months ago I wrote to the West Highland pointing out that debate and (friendly and constructive) disagreement was the lifeblood of a political party. I have always believed that, and always will, as the other way lies madness. Sadly, some people in my own party do not accept that and (almost) want to see a personality cult of absolute infallibility and consequently an unwillingness to discuss the issues, as they know (sic) the personality is right (sic, sic) irrespective of the inconvenient facts. Ho, hum.
Reality is not bigger than any one individual, and I am not the blindly driven party animal or easily manipulated non-entity to care about having to toe a line -- and I feel better and liberated for doing so. Am I the awkward squad? Do I care? Do I live by my principles, rather than do what I am told? Yes to the latter. More of this later, as I am having fun with the inability of others to hold a rational - arguable - political position.
* This is hypothetical, but if the £500,000 of capital expenditure at Bennadrove doesn't placate SEPA it may be a reality in the next few years.
2 comments:
Maybe you should get out of the age of Damocles then?!
Machaseo, Love your comments!!
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