Vox Pop Borders' StyleI don't think I have ever seen 'Borders Speak' in writing before and am not in a position to judge how genuine it is but it has the ring of authenticity. The 'Issue' is whether the Scottish Borders Highheidyins should reverse a decision to no longer pay for Duns Volunteers Hall out of public funds. Under strong local pressure
They did
SIR, - Whit heartenin it wiz tae witness first hand the reversal o the Coonsil decision o December 18, 2008, tae cease paying the lease on the Volunteer Hall.
Every coonsillor present on Thursday last, bar yin, respected the general feelings o the folk o Duns and district an agreed that there had bin a mistake made previously.
This mistake was borne out of insufficient research and information being made available tae these coonsillors thae said. The coonsillors reflected on the lack o consultation and the damage that this caused. They stood up tae bi coonted when it mattered and whether they supported the motion pit forrit bi oor toon cooncillor Frances Renton or the amendment pit in bi Cooncillor Donald Moffat whae wiz absent due tae hiz holidays, the vote was 28 for change (and whae kens or cares whit the dissenter wiz thinkin or daen).
The actual result wiz 21 votes fur the motion and seven fur the amendment. The motion jist sought reversal. The amendment wanted a three year rolling lease.
The folk o Duns an district acknowledge wholheartedly the fact that many many people stepped up tae the plate when this situation manifested itsel. Apert fae the 350+ folk whae attendit the public meetin an the 2,017 whae signed the petitions maist o whae actually exist (and each an evry yin o e deserve a mention but the paipers no big enuff ), a wee group verra ably led bi Ex Reiver (1974) Stuart Renton flew the flag on oor behalf an ah think that ah speak oan behalf o the vast majority when ah register throo eer paiper a hearty vote o thenks tae thaem.
Tae Francis Renton, whae hed a hard stert tae this fur a sorts o reasons but when it wiz required did the right thing by uz a, ah offer a personal vote o thenks.
Ah watched an listened in utter amazement at the barrackin sum coonsillors gied this lass an nae matter whaur ee stan' oan this it was oot o order. Some o thaem there that day, whither thae supported oor cause or no should reflect, an behave thirsells gaun forrit. Thae seem tae forget that thae ur representitives o thur toons an commoonities.
The wee band representin Duns wur able tae disagree wi the coonsil withoot bein disagreeable - apert fae me likely cos ah lapsed an jined in wi a bit o polite jeerin an booing at selectit moments. In fact efter the roll call vote and jist at the feenish o mah third lap o honour roon the coonsil chamber, ah extracatit mahsel jist afore ah wiz forceably ejaculatit intae the street bi security personnel!
Tae Coonsillors Jones, Moffat, Garvie, Cook, Fullarton, Parker an a the rest whae got tae thur feet an spoke positively in support o a listenin, common sense, communicative coonsil , weel dun and thenks.
That might jist, if delivered restore the faith o sum o uz in the eastern Borders that oo er pert o the bigger picter.
John Lamont did his bit. Oor commonity coonsil didnae fail uz. Glenn Rodger the director o education and lifelong learning wiz the first coonsil official tae venture near Duns tae pit hiz case and oo respect him fur that.
It is understood until sumbuddy tells us itherwise, that this decision means that the coonsil pays the lease fur the foreseeable future. Whither that iz the case or no, oo shood prepare oorsells tae accept the invite tae the coonsil pairty as or when it comes.
SWell Dinged indeed
Labels: . Duns, Volunteer Hall
