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Sunday, December 31, 2006
DECIMALISATION? WE THINK NOT JOHN PAUL!
Wyre Forest Tory Cabinet Member Cllr. John Paul Campion has obviously had an extremely good Christmas! On his "blog" he is apparently...
"Looking forward to 2007 – Decimalisation of parking in the district."
Could he possibly actually mean "decriminalisation" of parking in the District - that is powers for parking controls to switch from Police to Council.
Happy New Year Cllr. Campion. We look forward to more 'interesting' concepts for local services across the District!
Meanwhile, also on that Tory 'blog'...
TORY 'HUM BUG' ON BUSES DENOUNCED BY LOCAL LIBERAL COUNCILLOR...
Local Liberal Councillors have denounced as "total humbug" local Wyre Forest Tory claims on their website 'blog' that they are concerned by "continued decline in bus services in Wyre Forest".
Kidderminster Liberal District and County Councillor Fran Oborski said today "It is the Conservative run County Council who have CUT local bus subsidies. It is very largely the Tories who are directly responsible for that decline in local bus services about they now moaning!".
"Instead of moaning they need to put the cash back where it belongs - stimulating and developing our desperately inadequate local bus services!"
"It is also the Tories who have got rid of the local 'Bus Quality Partnership' making it far harder for local people to voice their views on the future of local bus services!"
posted by Oborski, 19:26 | link | comments (3)
 WITH EVERY BEST WISH FOR A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
: Cllr Graham Ballinger : Cllr Paul Harrison :
: Cllr Siri Hayward : Cllr Rachel Lewis :
: Cllr Fran Oborski : Cllr Mike Oborski :
: Cllr Rob Wheway :
: The Local Liberal Team :
: Mike Price (Constituency Chairman) :
: Tim Ingham (Constituency Agent) :
Wyre Forest Liberal & Radical Association
Liberal Group Wyre Forest District Council
Liberal Group Worcestershire County Council
posted by Oborski, 11:02 | link | comments
LATEST GREENHILL FOCUS...
...online HERE in pdf format now!-
IN THIS LATEST EDITION...
St Ambrose - Safe Route to Schools : Horrific Railway Incident Disgrace : Tories To Slash County Services : Comberton Hill - More Chaos Looms : State Of The Roads! Why Did They Bother To Ask? : Highways Cash For Local County Councillors : Primary Places : Congratulations Community Housing : Worcestershire Hub : Horsefair / Broadwaters / Greenhill Priority Area : Mayor's Charity : Light Bulbs : Congratulations Nick : Christmas Tree Madness : ASBOs : Hoo Road Bus Shelters : Dog Fouling : Real Cost Of The Town Hall Glass Barriers : Sat Nav Madness : We're Here To Help! :
posted by Oborski, 03:34 | link | comments
greenhill
Saturday, December 30, 2006
TOTALLY OFF TOPIC!
Mike had his first ever letter published in "The Times" yesterday...
ENGLISH LESSONS
Sir, You report (Dec 26) about a bus company in the North of England being suspended because its drivers, including Poles, can’t read English. I note they also had problems with the condition of vehicles.
Recently I presented English language certificates to Polish bus drivers in Coventry. The courses at the local college had been organised and paid for by the bus company and designed to meet the specific needs of the drivers. The atmosphere was great. The strong rapport between company and drivers and the enthusiam of the drivers were clearly visible.
The lesson is simple. Good employers invest in their staff and get good results. Others do not.
MIKE OBORSKI
Honorary Polish Consul for the West Midlands
Kidderminster, Worcs
posted by Oborski, 02:55 | link | comments (2)
FANCY SOME REALLY GOOD THOUGHT PROVOKING READING?
There are some really good articles in The Guardian today...
Try the Archbishop of York, the excellent John Sentamu, on "Face to faith - Ethics must shape our global economy". Catch up on it here!
Or Martin Kettle's interesting "We can't just blame our lack of trust on Tony Blair's 'lies'". Catch up on it here!
Kettle's "End of the Ming dynasty? - Today's poll reveals a decline in support for the Lib Dems, and poses a question most of them would prefer not to ask: is it their leader's fault?" of a few days back is also worth a read. Catch up on it here!
You can find his "Get real. And count me out of this facile consensus - It's smug and dishonest to expect politicians to inhabit a different moral universe to the imperfect one the rest of us live in!" Catch up here!
You can also pick up on his early December "A revolt against broken forms of government - A crucial lesson from the Iraq war reveals hubris in the White House and the failure of centralisation in Downing Street". Catch up on it here!
Or if you are looking for a really stimulating book full of ideas head for:-
"The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream" by Barack Obama
- the rising young star of the U.S. Democratic Party. Amazon .co.uk have it hardbound for £12.58. Find it here!
posted by Oborski, 01:35 | link | comments
Friday, December 29, 2006
BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT LETTER IN THE SHUTTLE...
This really brilliant letter appears in the Shuttle! Congatulations to Offmore First School (it's a super school) on, yet again, doing a first rate job. Congratulations also to Mrs. Potter for speaking out! We fully agree with her both about Offmore First School and the ludicrous and and pathetic "political correctness" elsewhere which she refers to!
School outlook so stimulating
MY two children go to Offmore First School in Kidderminster and are being allowed - nae, encouraged - to enjoy the festive season to its maximum.
The younger children are putting on a traditional nativity play, and all are encouraged to send Christmas cards and are even offered the opportunity through the PTA to write to Santa and possibly get letters back!
I have read with alarm in the national press of the recent "Politically Correct Brigade" who have such idiotic ideas of banning festive decorations in the workplace and encouraging high street shops not to stock Christmas cards depicting the nativity scene for fear of offending.
My children are learning at the school not only about our traditional celebrations such as Christmas and Easter but that of other cultures within our community such as Eid and Diwali.
I feel so strongly that the school is doing the best for its children that I wanted to encourage them to continue to do so for many years.
I have written to the headteacher who, together with the school staff, have established a wonderful and stimulating school for local children to learn about the world.
MRS L POTTER
Kidderminster
Full address supplied
posted by Oborski, 12:17 | link | comments
WHERE DID THE FUEL STATIONS GO?
Really outstanding piece of journalism in Thursday's Express & Star...
WHERE DID THE FUEL STATIONS GO?
Motorists using one 20-mile route in the heart of the Midlands used to be spoilt for choice, writes Motoring Editor Peter Carroll.
Travelling from Wolverhampton to the tourist town of Stourport, near Kidderminster, there were five garages on one street alone, the Penn Road.
There were further petrol options on the A449 at Wombourne and Wall Heath; and several more filling stations in Kidderminster before the short hop across to Stourport.
Now, however, the picture is very different.
So-called forecourt rationalisation has led to the closure of all the Penn Road petrol stations and more than half a dozen outlets have folded in Kidderminster alone in recent years.
These days, from Wolverhampton ring road to Stourport via Comberton Hill in Kidderminster only one remains open for business.
Nationally the picture is equally bleak. In 1974 there were more than 70,000 petrol stations across the UK. By 1990 the figure stood at nearly 20,000. Now, however, there are barely 9,700 - meaning there are now fewer outlets in the country than there were in 1914.
So why are petrol stations going the same way as the corner shop, the post office and the school playing field?
Simon Wallis, who has run the Wall Heath Service Station in Wall Heath for the last decade, suggests the main reason is increased competition from supermarkets.
His is the only garage where you can fill up on the A449 between Kidderminster and Wolverhampton but most motorists tend to make detours to supermarkets in Kingswinford where cheaper fuel is on offer.
Motorists may want cheap fuel, but independent petrol retailers cannot match the buying power of big supermarket chains like Tesco and Asda. Nor can they offer discount vouchers as additional incentives to drivers who shop in their store.
“There’s very little money in fuel,” says Mr Wallis. “We cannot compete with supermarkets who can dictate the price.”
He has had to diversify in order to preserve his livelihood. His Kidderminster Road site houses an off-licence business specialising in discount alcohol and there’s a used car business next door.
“We’ve had to do this in order to survive,” said Mr Wallis. “There’s no way we could make a living just selling fuel. It’s a small part of the business here and there’s no future in it. We do it mainly as a service to customers.”
Profit margins are low in the fuel business. Drivers may spend a lot of money at forecourts but nearly three quarters goes into the pocket of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the form of excise duty or VAT.
Drivers are also making fewer visits to garages because modern cars are more economical and diesel is becoming increasing popular. Then there are the extra costs to retailers of meeting stricter environmental legislation aimed at reducing the effects of petrol fumes on the atmosphere.
All of which means the worth of a fuel retailing business now tends to be outweighed by the value of the site it occupies - explaining why so many sites, particularly in urban areas, are being sold off for development. In Kidderminster the sale of petrol forecourts has sparked a mini-construction boom in the town.
There are 13 flats and five shops going up at Comberton Heights on the site of a former garage near the town’s railway station; on Chester Road North Kendrick Homes are building a mews development of three-bedroom homes on another former fuel site; while the former Jet Garage opposite the Land Oak now houses a substantial development of flats.
While fuel is cheaper at supermarkets - at least for now - there are increasingly fewer outlets to fill up.
There is less choice for the motorist, less competition among retailers, and, as more garages close, drivers will have to spend more time queueing on forecourts during peak times.
And it’s not just the opportunity to refuel which is being lost. Most petrol stations have shops attached where you can pick up a pint of milk, a paper or a loaf of bread.
Customer toilets can prove a Godsend for mothers with small children, while some outlets feature car servicing businesses where you can seek advice on motor maintenance from a mechanic.
posted by Oborski, 04:53 | link | comments
Thursday, December 28, 2006
"The minority Conservative administration on Wyre Forest District is too arrogant, grossly self satisfied, blindly self confident and increasingly drifting out of touch both with Council realities and public opinion" - says Liberal Group Leader Cllr. Mike Oborski!
“The minority Conservative administration on Wyre Forest District is too arrogant, grossly self satisfied, blindly self confident and increasingly drifting out of touch both with Council realities and public opinion” Liberal Group Leader Cllr Mike Oborski claimed today.
With only 18 seats out of 42 on the Council they are 3 seats short of a majority at the best of times. In the most recent crucial vote in Council they could only command 12 votes while 4 Conservatives revolted and voted with the opposition while, we gather the 2 others were ordered to stay away because if the risk of them rebelling as well!”
“The Conservative Group need to remember that they do NOT have an overall majority – they are only a minority administration - and that they need to listen to other Parties representing a wider view of public opinion and to take on board new ideas and initiatives.”
Cllr Oborski said he believed that “now would be the right time for opposition Group Leaders to meet to review Tory failures and inaction and to see if there was room for co-operation to put forward common demands for action and reform”.
Cllr Oborski said he would be writing to other Opposition Group Leaders accordingly”.
posted by Oborski, 18:15 | link | comments
TORIES WRONG ON BARRIERS!
TORIES WRONG ON SPENDING!
Fran's letter to Kidderminster Shuttle...
Dear Sir,
Cllr. Clee (Letters December 21st) has a cheek accusing anybody but himself of double standards over the Town Hall ramp and barriers. The reason why we voted for the design having spoken against the barriers was because we were told by the Conservative Administration, I now believe fallaciously, that if we did not, reluctantly, “agree” to the barriers we would NOT get The Hub. The Hub, of course, has proved to be an enormous success in improving the delivery of services to local people.
Moving to Cllr. Clee’s second accusation. It was Cllr. Clee’s plan to move Revenues and Benefits Services over to Pershore which would not only have wrecked services but which would have put public money at risk.
Cllr. Clee’s fantasy depended on highly speculative and possibly imaginary savings after 2010 while actually increasing spending up until 2009! Indeed, so flawed was his gloriously misnamed “Business Plan” that not only did Liberal, Labour, Health Concern, Independent and Liberal Democrat Councillors vote against it but even 4 of his own Conservative members joined us to oppose it! Indeed of his 18 “strong” Conservative Group he could find only 12 to actually support him on the night!
Yours sincerely,
Cllr. Fran Oborski,
Liberal Party Planning Spokesman Wyre Forest District Council
posted by Oborski, 14:46 | link | comments (1)
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
"No support for Tory Budget unless Wheelie bin maggot issue tackled" say Liberal Council Group!
The Liberal Group on Wyre Forest District Council have said that they will not support Conservative Administration Budget proposals for Wyre Forest for 2007-2008 “unless they includes firm and detailed plans to tackle “wheelie bin” bin problems over the very hottest period of the Summer”.
Liberal Group Leader Cllr Mike Oborski said today “last Summer many people right across the District faced very real difficulties because of the hot Summer in terms of maggot infestation of wheelie bins not to mention the stinking and unacceptable odours”.
“Essentially we want to look at the possibility of weekly wheelie bin collection between June 1st and August 31st each year. We gather that the Unions are willing to negotiate on such proposals.
“The issue could be tackled by overtime payments and 6.00 am starting during that period. Experience over the current Christmas period has demonstrated that 6.00 am starting can be acceptable. 6.00 am starting would also get Council vehicles out on the road and on their rounds before the local “rush hour” starts.”
“We believe that such a package would tackle the problems with smells and maggots experienced by so many local residents last Summer and, let’s face it, with Global Warming the situation can only get worse!”
“The Conservatives have so far shown precious little interest in what is a very real, severe and disturbing problem for many local residents – including a large number of elderly residents.”
Cllr Oborski concluded “We want this issue tackled and we want it tackled now or we will not support the overall Tory Budget package when it appears in final form”.
The Conservatives are currently in a minority on the Wyre Forest District Council with 18 of the 42 Council seats – 3 short of an overall majority. In recent key debates the Conservative vote has shrunk to 12 because of “absences” and defections on crucial votes and issues.
posted by Oborski, 03:09 | link | comments
Sunday, December 24, 2006
With very best wishes for Christmas & the New Year!
posted by Oborski, 00:48 | link | comments (2)
Saturday, December 23, 2006
GOOD NEWS FOR ASHDENE CLOSE...
...where residents will be happy to hear that the County Council is backing our plan for parking restrictions on the junction with Tennyson Way!
Read our letter to local residents here in pdf format.
NOT SO GOOD NEWS FOR SILVER BIRCH DRIVE...
...where quite a few residents will be unhappy that on appeal developers a Government Planning Inspector has given the go-ahead for an extra 3 bedroom detached house next to number 8.
posted by Oborski, 07:47 | link | comments
posted by Oborski, 00:44 | link | comments
Friday, December 22, 2006
posted by Oborski, 13:22 | link | comments
Some good advice from County Hall...
Consumers advised to be sale savvy
Worcestershire County Council is offering sales shoppers some top tips to help them get the most from the post-Christmas sales.
Trading Standards has produced the list so that bargain hunters get the deal they are looking for.
1.You have the same rights when you buy goods in a sale as at any other time of year.
2.If goods are faulty, it is the retailer’s responsibility and not the manufacturers'.
3.When purchases don't meet your specification, such as clothing that is damaged after only one wearing, you may be entitled to a refund or a replacement.
4.If a damaged item needs repairing, the repair should be carried out within a reasonable period of time and without causing you significant inconvenience.
5.If an item of clothing you’ve bought ruins any of your other belongings, you may be entitled to compensation over and above the price of the item.
6.If you lose your receipts, your rights still apply. Alternative proof of purchase may be necessary such as a credit card bill or bank statement.
7.If goods you buy are faulty, incorrectly described or not fit for purpose you may be entitled to your money back, an exchange or a repair.
8.When purchasing items costing over £100, think about using a credit card as you will get extra protection from your credit card company should problems arise.
9.If you need to return faulty goods that are bulky, heavy or difficult to carry, you can ask the seller to collect them.
10.Finally, don't forget that you don't have any real grounds for complaint if you were told or knew about a fault prior to purchasing or did the damage yourself. Shops do not have give a refund if you made a mistake when buying the item or simply changed your mind.
Ally Cornelius, Advice and Education Manager, said: ‘When it comes to sales reductions, it's always a good idea to look at how much an item costs, not by how much it has been reduced. While the law protects shoppers when it comes to advertising sales and discounted goods, many people get carried away.
“Consumers are advised to be aware of their rights and check individual shop policies on returns. People are also advised to avoid offers that seem ‘too good to be true’ as they probably are.
“If things do wrong and people need advice they should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or alternatively visit our website.”
posted by Oborski, 13:05 | link | comments
Express & Star reports it like this..
PARENTS HIT AT "SAT NAFFS"
Sat nav systems are sending vehicles down a dead end Kidderminster lane, prompting new fears that walkers and children, using it as a school short cut, could be injured.
An ambulance crew was sent down Offmore Lane off Chester Road North a few weeks ago and paramedics ended up trying to cut through locks on bollards to try and reach the nearby housing estate.
Drivers arriving at the lane are ignoring the ‘No Through Road’ sign at its entrance, believing they can reach Wordsworth Crescent and the Offmore Farm estate because of directions given through sat navs.
But the road only leads to Kidderminster Cricket Club and has bollards at the bottom stopping traffic access to the estate.
In the latest incident yesterday, an electrical goods lorry became stuck at the bottom of the road while trying to make a delivery to the estate. Taxis have also been caught out.
Resident Maria Bradley, aged 83, of Wordsworth Crescent, said: “It is a major problem as drivers are just ignoring the sign.
“They get all the way to the bottom and realise they can’t turn around.
“Then they have to reverse all the way back up and its only a matter of time before they hit a pedestrian.
“Lots of schoolchildren use the lane to get to and from Offmore First School. It is a very dangerous situation.”
Offmore ward councillor Fran Oborski is now meeting with police and county council officers to press for more warning signs at the lane’s entrance.
Councillor Oborski said: “This is highly dangerous to pedestrians particularly when cars try to back out at high speed. The path is used extensively by youngsters.”
By Sol Buckner
Cllr Fran Oborski and that much ignored warning sign!
posted by Oborski, 11:23 | link | comments
Thursday, December 21, 2006
With best wishes for Christmas & the New Year!
posted by Oborski, 12:39 | link | comments
DON'T THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING?
The Shuttle report the following appalling story! Don't the idiot yobs responsible have the slightest idea just how potentially dangerous their cowardly, stupidity and disregard for others really is...
Miracle escape for train driver
TRANSPORT police believe yobs are to blame after a 22kg block of masonry smashed through a train window in Kidderminster - leaving the driver with multiple serious injuries.
The man, in his 50s, was rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where his condition was originally described as "critical" after the incident, which happened at about 10.20pm on Sunday night.
He suffered severe cuts to his head and body along with fractured bone in his face following the suspected attack. His condition has now been upgraded to "stable".
The freight train, which was travelling between Llanwern and Brierley Hill, was hit by the block while moving at a speed of almost 50mph.
A resident alerted emergency services to the situation after hearing the driver sound the horn after it came to a stop near to Lyndholm Road.
It had earlier passed under three bridges - Chester Road North, Offmore Lane and Comberton Hill.
British Transport Police officers have been searching the area and conducting house-to-house inquiries in a bid to piece together information.
The Black Box recorder is also to be examined to try and find out exactly when and where the train was hit. The driver, who has not been named, has not been able to clearly recall the ordeal.
Chief Inspector Allan Gregory appealed for residents, especially those currently having building work carried out on their homes in the Offmore Lane area, with information to come forward.
He added: "In the 14 years I have worked here this is by far the most serious route crime I have ever known. The driver could easily have been killed.
"At first his condition was described as critical, then serious and now, miraculously after this horrendous and shocking incident, he could soon be discharged."
He added because of the size and weight of the block it was possible more than one person could have been involved.
Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
posted by Oborski, 12:34 | link | comments
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
SATELLITE NAVIGATION MENACE HITS OFFMORE LANE!
A local Liberal Councillor has warned that inaccurate Satellite Navigation information is leading lorries and motorists into a dead end footpath.
Cllr Siri Hayward explained that "Offmore Lane leads from Chester Road North, opposite the Offmore Road junction, through to Wordsworth Crecsent running between Kidderminster's Cricket Ground and the back of houses on Sheraton Drive on the one side and the Chester Road allotments on the other side."
"Offmore Lane provides a very narrow vsingle car width vehicle access to the Cricket Club Car Park but after that it narrows considerably to a footpath with bollards blocking vehicles at the bottom where it joins Wordsworth Crescent."
"Some months ago an Ambulance was misdirected by its Satellite Navigation system down Offmore Lane while trying to get to Wordsworth Crescent. Blocked by the bollards one paramedic sprinted to the house while another struggled to cut padlocks on the bollards to get the ambuance through. Fortunately the incident was not serious."
"Following that we got warning signs installed at the Chester Road North end of Offmore Lane end."
"The misleading depiction of Offmore Lane as a through route for cars is conveyed on most local maps. The real problem lies, however, with Ordinance Survey who supply the misleading information on for Satellite Navigation systems. It seems likely that all current Satellite Navigation systems in current use are misleading when it comes to Offmore Lane."
"Unfortunately, a lot of drivers would rather believe their Satellite Navigation systems rather than official signing and common sense when it comes to Offmore Lane."
"This morning (Wednesday 20th December) a large Comet lorry found itself stranded at the bottom and had difficulty extracting itself."
"We have also heard cases of taxis ending up down there and then backing out the whole length at high speed!"
"The situation is not only highly inconvenient to the drivers concerned but highly dangerous to pedestrians particularly when cars try to back out at high speed. The path is used extensively by youngsters walking from parts of Offmore to King Charles I High School and St. Ambrose RC Primary School and by pupils walking the other way down to Offmore First School. There is also a real risk of emergency vehicles being delayed in their efforts to reach serious cases requiring their presence!"
Local Liberal Offmore and Comberton Councillors Siri Hayward, Mike Oborski and Fran Oborski are now calling for fast action to further improve signings and warnings at the junction of Offmore Lane with Chester Road North and for immediate action by Ordinance Survey to correct information supplied for Satellite Navigation use.
posted by Oborski, 18:18 | link | comments
OPEN THE CHAMPAGNE! RING THE BELLS! IT'S TME TO CELEBRATE!
County Council signs have appeared on Tennyson Way - near to the junctions with Wordsworth Crescent - warning that road works there will start on 2nd January 2007 and last for about nine weeks!
Glory, hallelujah! At long last after all the delays and all our fighting to get the scheme actually included in the County Council's safe routes to schools initiative we are at last going to get the crossing and all the associated road works!
Open the champagne! I'm happy at last!
 
posted by Oborski, 18:10 | link | comments
 HEALTH, SAFETY & CHRISTMAS TREES..
Early yesterday morning on BBC Radio 4 a senior officer from the Health and Safety Executive was busy explaing that most of the follies blamed on "Health & Safety" are actually nothing to do with them!
Either over zealous officials elsewhere get things out of proportion or "health & safety" simply becomes an excuse for taking an easy way out instead of actually tackling an issue.
Last night I read in the Express & Star that there wil lbe NOL huge Christmas Tree (no small tree for that matter) in Kidderminster Town Hall because of, yes you've guessed it, "health and safety"!
There has been a massive Christmas Tree in the Town Hall every year since probably well back into Victorian times!
So how many fires, deaths, casualties, plagues, epidemics, natural catastrophes etc., etc., have there been ín Kidderminster over the years because of the annual appearance of a huge, malevolent and potentially lethal massive Christmas Tree at the Town Hall. Well, precisely and exactly none!
It strikes me that there are two sorts of organisations in this World:-
(a) Those who when faced with a little difficulty or problem simply use their initiative and solve it.
(b) Those who roll over, give up, look for the easiest way out and hide behind some pathetic excuse.
I think we now know where Wyre Forest District Council stands!
Meanwhile you can find out...
HOW THE CHILD PROTECTION INDUSTRY STOLE CHRISTMAS...
PDF File Online here!
posted by Oborski, 12:51 | link | comments
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
posted by Oborski, 21:27 | link | comments
MINI MOTO MADNESS!
Fran was driving back up Shaw Avenue tonight at about 7.30pm. Conditions could best be described as dark, damp and foggy.
As she approached the Osborne Close junction a teenager on a mini-moto with no lights shot out in front of her turning up Shaw Avenue towards Shakespeare Drive at high speed.
Fran only just missed the idiot!
This is absolute insanity - taking a by definition unlicensed, uninsured, illegal on the highway, mini-moto with no lights at speed onto a dark, damp and foggy public highway!
Let's get it absolutely straight! Mini-Motos can only be used on private land and then ONLY WITH THE OWNERS CONSENT.
They CANNOT be driven on public highways, public footpaths, parks, recreation areas or indeed any other public or private land.
Fran has reported the incident to the Police as this youngster was not only creating danger for other motorists and pedestrians but also putting his own life at risk!
posted by Oborski, 20:31 | link | comments
EVEN OVER THOSE LITTLE THINGS IN THE CHRISTMAS RUSH - BUYER BEWARE!
Just the other day we bought four cheap bright red matallic 'chargers' (the sort that go under dinner plates instead of table mats) at The Range on Crossley Park. A perfect match for our all red Christmas design we thought. Loose off the shelf (avoid the chipped ones) they were only £1.99 each and so £7.96 for all four.
Tonight we were in B & Q and, lo and behold, they had the exactly identical item with four chargers packed in a very nice box but along with eight extras - four matching serviette rings and four matching drink mats. The price of the boxed set of four with all the extras in B & Q was £4.94. Yes, we bought that as well!
In other words in B & Q on this particular item you pay £3.02 LESS (that is 37% less) and get a lot MORE!
No, we are NOT getting at The Range. I'm sure from experience that they are cheaper and better value on other items.
No, it's just that the lesson is clear. Even though it takes time shop around during that last minute Christmas shopping blitz in Kidderminster shops. There are plenty of bargains and lots of good value for money - but, as ever - prices can vary dramatically - and always remember "buyer beware"!
posted by Oborski, 01:20 | link | comments
Monday, December 18, 2006
CHRISTMAS CARDS & THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS...
One of my rather sad habits is counting Christmas Cards we receive each year not with an interest in volume but rather to measure changing tastes and designs.
Basically Religious Cards are disappearing as are Victorian style cards in favour of more “modern designs.
So what do we have this year:-
Robins & Three Wise Men take the lead..
Robins 14, Three Wise Men 14,
Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus 12,
Father Christmas 8, Victorian Houses 8,
Christmas Trees 6,
Words no illustration 5,
Angels 4, Church Buildings 4, Holly 4, Penguins 4, Stockings 4,
Reindeer 3, Shepherds 3, Snow Men 3, Teddy Bears 3.
Berries 2, Doves 2, Snow Scene 2, Victorian Shops 2,
Balloons 1, Carol Singers 1, Cats 1, Children 1, Coach 1, Horses 1, Joke 1, Leaves 1, Modern Baby 1. Parcels 1, Partridge in a Pear Tree 1, Pattern 1, Polar Bears 1, St Michaels Mount 1, Senders family 1, Senders House 1, Snowballs 1, Snowflakes 1, Stars 1, Wreath 1
Because of our local government involvement we also acquire some “Civic” Cards as well: Worcester 2, Bewdley 1, Civic Crest 1, Cookley 1, Coventry 1, Dudley 1, Mayor & Staff 1, Police on the beat 1, Polish Eagle 1.
(TOTALS UPDATED DAILY!)
Of all the cards we have received only 10% can truly be described as genuinely “religious” in nature – namely those of Joseph, Mary and the Baby Jesus and a couple of the Angel designs. Some of those with superficially religious themes are simply designs or cartoons. You can spot the genuinely religious motivated ones.
Of course we love to get cards of any sort from all our friends but is it just me that feels that the decline of the genuinely religious Christmas Card is just another sign if the decay from a meaningful religious Christmas into simply mid-winter booze, presents and partying?
ON THE OTHER HAND...
The Kidderminster Shuttle reports...
CHRISTMAS WORSHIPPERS ON THE RISE
ON THE OTHER HAND...
the BBC say...
YOUNG "FORGET" JESUS AT CHRISTMAS
posted by Oborski, 12:28 | link | comments
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Hereford & Worcester Fire Service advise...
DO YOU KNOW THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS...
1. Make sure your festive lights conform to British Standards.
2. Be careful with candles and never leave them unattended.
3. Make sure your family and guests have an escape plan.
4. Keep decorations away from lights and heat.
5. Never overload electrical sockets.
6. Remember, drinking excess alcohol and cooking doesn't mix.
7. Never leave the cooking unattended.
8. Follow the Firework Code when storing or using fireworks.
9. Extinguish all cigarettes before going to bed.
10. Check your smoke alarms every week.
11. Keep lighters and matches away from children.
12. Make sure vulnerable relatives and neighbours are also safe - and encourage them to find out about our FREE Home Fire Safey Check Scheme.
Call Freephone 0800 032 1155
www.hwfire.or.uk
MERRY CHRISTMAS
& A SAFE NEW YEAR
posted by Oborski, 17:51 | link | comments
Saturday, December 16, 2006
ARE YOU BEING WELL AND TRULY SERVICED?
The Leader of the Council's Christmas Message conludes as follows but shouldn't it be "serving" rather than "servicing"? 
"...and thank all the Public Sector workers and our Armed Forces’ personnel whose Christmas is put on hold whilst their duties servicing us continues."
UPDATE 19th DECEMBER...
SO, SOMEONE DOES READ THIS SITE!
The Leader's Christmas Message has been altered. Our troops are now "serving" rather than "servicing" us!
Which makes this a good point for us to to add our very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all our marvellous soldiers, sailors and airmen serving their country abroad at this time!
posted by Oborski, 15:17 | link | comments
 THANKS! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THIS KINDNESS MEANS TO ME!
I would like to thank everyone who has phoned, e-mailed or simply stopped me in the street to chat - including complete strangers - since Sarah Cousins's interview with me about my Cancer appeared in "The Shuttle" on Thursday. People have been extremely kind. I am deeply touched and extremely moved by this kindness.
- Cllr Mike Oborski
posted by Oborski, 01:21 | link | comments (3)
THOSE TOWN HALL GLASS BARRIERS AGAIN! GETTING THE COST STRAIGHT!
Cllr. Fran Oborski has just written to The Kidderminster Shuttle to set the record straight..
Dear Sir,
Wyre Forest Conservative District Council Leader Cllr Stephen Clee is quite wrong to say (Shuttle 14th December) that "£22,425 was the total cost of the new ramped entrance and not just the hand rails".
Senior Council Officers have subsequently confirmed to us that we are quite right and that the £22,425 covers ONLY the cost of the glass panels, the associated hand rails. three benches and nothing more.
That sum does NOT include the cost of the actual ramp and the steps.
We have asked to be told the cost of the ramp and the steps but so far they have NOT been forthcoming as the Officers say that these costings are "buried" in the wider contract costs of the overall work on the Town Hall and are "difficult" to extract! We await those figures, if they are ever unburied, with interest.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Fran Oborski (Liberal Planning Spokesman, Wyre Forest District Council)
posted by Oborski, 01:11 | link | comments
COUNCIL LAUNCHES SCRUTINY EXERCISE INTO STOURPORT CONSEVATION AREA...
Wyre Forest District Concil's Prosperity Scrutiny Panel, Chaired by Liberal Councillor Fran Oborski is launching a full scale scrutiny exercise into Stourport-on-Severn's Conservation area Number 1.
The aim is to ensure that the development is appropriate to the area and that local landmarks are preserved and we get the best possible deal for the area.
As well as consulting with all the usual interested organisations there will be plenty of opportunity for members of the public to expess their opinions. Details will be publicised in The Shuttle, by the Council and on this web site.
posted by Oborski, 00:49 | link | comments
Thursday, December 14, 2006
BY FAR THE STRANGEST COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING EVER...
Today's Special Meeting of the Worcestershire County Council must go down as the strangest ever!
Conservative Council Leader George Lord, having announced on the front page of the Local Government Chronicle that Worcestershire would campaign to go Unitary - doing away with all the District Councils - and calling today's Special Council Meeting to rubber stamp his decision then discovered that his own Conservative Group would not support him. His plan was dead in the water!
Cllr Lord was then stuck with what to do with a Special Council Meeting which he no longer needed but which couldn't be cancelled.
In order to give it some semblence of purpose we were faced this afternoon with an Officer "presentation" on the Government's intention to cut local government spending though another dose of ill thought out local government reorganisation. As Cou | 
