Page 7 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • June 2001
The privilege of becoming Mayor 101
David Cox, councillor for Toothill, writes
May 18 marked the day when I tions. I shall en- alise their full fering free residency to the elderly
had the privilege and honour of deavour to par- potential. who do not have means to support
becoming the Mayor of Swindon ticipate in as 2.BreastScreen- themselves.
for a year. It gives me great pleas- many events as ing Unit, PMH: I have lived in Swindon since
ure to take on the role and to possible. This unit pro- 1963 and the town has given me a
represent the town in what will, I One of my vides a very im- great deal — a good job, and many
am sure, be a very busy mayoral roles is to raise portant health good friends through my political
year. money for the service for the and sporting activities. I now have
I will be the one hundred and Mayor's Chari- women of the opportunity as mayor to give
first mayor since the Royal Char- ties, causes that Swindon and something back by representing
ter granted by Queen Victoria in the mayor selects Wiltshire. and serving the people, and the
1900. Also I shall be the 46th mayor himself. I shall be 3. El Hogar de interests of our town.
who has worked for the Great supporting: los Ancianos If you would like me to officiate
Western Railway / British Rail and 1. The Rowdy (Old People's at a function, do please contact the
the first from EMI. Bunch, a youth Home) Ocotal - mayor's secretary at the Civic Of-
On average the mayor officiates club set up in in our twin fices on 463599, or fax: 463614.
at seven to eight hundred engage- Swindon for town in Nicara-
ments throughout the term of of- disabled teenag- gua. This is the
fice and my goal is to be actively ers with the aim Dave and his partner last independ- Black 'at
involved with the people of Swin- of enabling the Jenny Dean at the Mayor making ent centre in
don and their various organisa- youngsters to re- ceremony on 18 May Nicaragua of- School of Motoring
New local school
Where's my community group? recently opened
Paul Dunn from Woodhall Park attended the 30 Year Vision conference organised by Swindon Council Discounts available
at the De Vere Hotel in March. Here he reflects on where he fits into the community we call Swindon.
Gift vouchers available
When I first heard that Swindon house for over 10 years and I don't city even! Well, perhaps, by their
Council was organising a meeting know the people in my street. It's definition. But will I know the peo- for birthdays etc
to discuss a community strategy I true that I haven't gone out of my ple in my street? Tel: Barry Hunter 700131
thought'Great! Maybe now I'll get way to get to know them. But then, Approv Ding Instructor
to meet the people in my street'. no one's gone out of their way to • What's your reaction? Let us
But having attended the meet- get to know me. It's just the way know, address on page 4. 50% OFF
ing I find that the council's defini- we live nowadays, isolated. For ideas and inspiration go to FIRST LESSON ^I,n ^
tion of community is a bit different Some sections of society do be- www.citizensconnection.net
than my own. To them it's things come part of a community. They
like schools, roads and businesses. have their own focus. There are
These things are important, but plenty of groups for minorities like
they are facilities and infrastruc- the disabled, ethnic groups and
ture; things which are used by the single mothers. But what about the
community. They are not what rest of us? I'm 36, male, I'm not
make a community. It's the people part of a minority group. So which
that do that. community group do I belong to
and who is my community leader?
What's missing from my sense
of community is a focus that's
shared by others. But there is some-
thing. I see it every time I walk to
the newsagent, it's litter, vandal-
ism, and graffiti. And beyond that
it's neighbourhood patrols and
planting trees. It's these things and
more. It's taking responsibility for
where we live. But there's a prob-
lem. We have a focus, but not a
leader. Or do we?
Our local councillor is the natu-
ral choice for leader. They have
This thing we call community been elected by the people to rep-
spirit usually appears when there's resent them and to get things done.
some focus for all the people to Their role would be to channel the
concentrate on. It might be for or people's energy and to keep the
against a bypass, or to improve momentum going with encourage-
road safety. It might even be a visit ment and ideas. Their success
by Charlie's Garden Army. What- would be easily gauged. Do we
ever it is, it provides the focus for feel part of a community?
the community. The people talk to It's important that the council
each other and work together, com- does not forget the role of the ordi-
munity spirit is born. nary person in the community.
In the absence of this focus it's They could perform spectacularly
possible that we can live for many well over the next 30 years, create
years in the same area and never great new facilities and at the end
meet our neighbours. It's happen- of it announce proudly 'What a
ing to me. I've lived in the same great community Swindon is,' a