read more http://middlesbrough-council.com/forum/ ... =114&t=717
read even more http://middlesbrough-council.com/forum/ ... =114&t=714
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_an ... ions,_2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17777080
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teess ... -30875240/
THERE has been - for some time - a concentrated effort to challenge democracy in Middlesbrough -
"and replace it with something much more sinister".
"and replace it with something much more sinister"Middlesbrough councillors given protection after attacks
by Sandy McKenzie, Evening Gazette Jun 21 2012 THERE has been - for some time - a concentrated effort to challenge democracy in Middlesbrough - "and replace it with something much more sinister".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VvakElYqvQ
http://joanmctigue.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Town+rall ... 0120256259
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14847291
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13960870
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 50953.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... YEARS.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/el ... ell-152320
Judgement Day role for Middlesbrough MayorSo says Mayor Ray Mallon, who last night spoke out at a special meeting of Middlesbrough Council prompted by a series of attacks on elected members.
Former detective Mr Mallon said he had also arrived at a judgement as to who is likely to become the target of future criminal action.
http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-e ... -29442382/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ro ... ack-107006
http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/tags/ray-mallon/
http://www.pancrack.tv/longridge.html
http://boro4reel.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/boro4reel
http://com.boro4reel.com/com/Default.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/user/boroawards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZtnqIvZ ... ature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI5TYFfb ... ature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExuSXENkHfI&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqN55KJGMQo&feature=plcp
These individuals had been made aware of measures being put in place for their protection and that of their property.
Mr Mallon’s words came as councillors met in the wake of the recent arson attacks on cars at the homes of two Labour councillors.
And the Mayor said the pair - as well as other councillors - had fallen victim to criminal attacks because they had undertaken their responsibilities in an outstanding manner.
“They have refused to give way to adversity,” he added last night.
“I believe the motivation for these attacks are to drive councillors out of office.”
“That will not - it must not - happen,” said the Mayor.
Former detective Mr Mallon told the council he believed in democracy and the rule of law. All right-minded people who hoped to have a stake in society had to share those principles, he added.
“I believe there is a small number of people who are connected to this town who wish to challenge the concept of democracy,” said the Mayor.
“They wish to replace that with something much more sinister.
“Make no mistake - there has been a concentrated effort for some time to destroy the democratic fabric of this town. It must not succeed.”
Mr Mallon added said politics was about influencing and persuading one another, a complex interaction of many people across the town from all walks of life.
“There will always be some agreement and disagreement but, when major decisions are taken, the democratic voting rights of elected representatives will prevail,” he added.
He referred to “so-called community-type activists” who had been scathing about many councillors in the Council Chamber.
“Such individuals had personal agendas towards some of you, both individually and collectively,” he added.
“Many of these people could only criticise and could not articulate viable alternatives.
“It appeared to me they did not want change in so far as the town was concerned.”
Mr Mallon said some comments, both verbally and in correspondence by some community activists - as well as by some councillors - were utterly disgraceful and beyond his comprehension.
“Unfortunately some people are obsessive by nature - and others can become progressively obsessed with particular issues and subjects,” he said.
“I do not believe even obsessive behaviour is a particular problem providing such behaviour does not develop into criminal behaviour,” said the Mayor.
Mr Mallon said the vast majority of Middlesbrough councillors should be very proud of what they had achieved collectively and individually.
He went on to say: “I should point out that the community activists whom I have referred to may, in my opinion, be irrational and illogical in their thinking.
“Some are steeped in personality clashes with come councillors.
“I would describe them as obsessives, but what I can say is I do not believe they have committed criminal acts.
“The obsessive who becomes criminal is far more sinister and is consumed by hatred and vengeance.”
Mr Mallon spoke about the two arson attacks and attacks on the property of two other councillors in recent years.
He said people might want to consider what they had done to deserve such criminal acts on their property and their lives. “The answer is very simple - they have done nothing to deserve this,” he added. “Nobody should be subject to such violent and life-threatening crimes.
“The councillors have served this town extremely well for many years. They should take some comfort in the knowledge these criminal acts have occurred because they have undertaken their responsibilities in an outstanding manner.
“They have refused to give way to adversity.
“We cannot allow the petrol bomb to succeed,” said the Mayor.
“My advice to every member of this council is very simple - be vigilant and be aware. Have faith in what you stand for and do not weaken or even show weakness to the criminal acts of a minority of obsessives who have now become criminals.”
He urged any residents with information about the arson attacks to step forward and talk to the police.
“If anyone thinks they can achieve their ends by subverting the system they are wrong. “We will not be driven out,” he added.
“The only people who should be afraid are the perpetrators and supporters of what has happened.
“My message to them is - Be afraid, be very afraid.”
Councillors' homes were targeted within days of each other
THE arson attacks on cars at the homes of two Middlesbrough councillors brought immediate - and fierce - condemnation from Ray Mallon.
The Middlesbrough Mayor said the arson attacks were an outrageous attack on democracy by people who preferred “the petrol bomb to the ballot box”.
His verbal onslaught came in the wake of the two arson attacks over the weekend of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
In the first, a car was set alight outside a house in The Pastures, Coulby Newham, at 1.50am on Saturday, June 2.
The blaze caused severe damage to the vehicle and to guttering on the house.
A second car was set alight outside a house in Thornfield Road, Linthorpe, just after 2.30am the following Tuesday, damaging the vehicle.
The attacks were are the homes of two Labour councillors. The incident at Coulby Newham was at the home of Councillor Geoff Cole, who is chairman of the council’s planning and development committee. The second councillor’s identity has yet to be officially revealed.
They follow arson and criminal attacks on the homes of other councillors in recent years.
Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade, are continuing their investigations into the latest attacks. No arrests have yet been made.
Last week, Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Simpson, of Middlesbrough Police, said: “If these crimes are motivated as attacks against elected officials, it is also of concern for the wider community and democracy in the town.”
And Cleveland Fire Brigade station manager Andy With said arson has a “massive impact” on communities.
Call Middlesbrough CID on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
COUNCILLORS last night came together to roundly condemn the attacks on the cars on colleagues’ homes.
Middlesbrough Council chairman Steve Bloundele said elected members of a democratic institution councillors could not allow mob rule to usurp either the democratic or political process.
“I am deeply concerned the totally unacceptable behaviour of certain individuals, institutions and business interests has led to a culture of concerted personal attacks on elected members in Middlesbrough,” he added.
“I have had examples expressed to me by elected members that included issues such as anonymous letters, election leaflets, letters in local press, vitriolic comments made on anonymous internet forums, and members of the business community following elected members around shouting abuse via a loud hailer.
“These bullyboy tactics cannot be allowed to succeed in a civilised, democratic society.”
Labour Group leader Councillor Charlie Rooney, labelled those responsible for the attacks as “moral imbeciles”.Labour Group leader Councillor Charlie Rooney, labelled those responsible for the attacks as “moral imbeciles”.
750 year old:- “moral imbeciles”. http://middlesbrough-council.com/forum/ ... =114&t=615
And he said councillors had a right to respect and not have to worry about families and property.
Conservative Group leader, Councillor Chris Hobson said the attacks had been “absolutely outrageous crimes”.
“This does not just affect the councillor - it is a concern for their whole family and their health and well-being,” she added. “This is a cowardly act and we hope the perpetrators are soon caught and brought to justice.”
Councillor Peter Cox, leader of the Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association, said: “These as despicable crimes being committed by cowards.”
Independent councillor Joan McTigue detailed attacks she had herself suffered on her car and her home.
But she said: “If we sit crying these people will have won. We must send a message out - to Hell with you.
“We are going to carry on with our jobs.”
Deputy Mayor Councillor Dave Budd said effective opposition was required in the democratic process by not opposition based on personal acrimony and fear.
And there folks ends the Party Political first round in the campaign ofAnd Barry Coppinger, executive councillor for social care, said the meeting was the saddest in his 27 years as a councillor - and that it was a tragedy it was having to be held at all.
“I hope this is a turning point and we all stand together and work together to defeat it,” he added.
“Cleveland Police Commissioner”
Remember the slogan “Support Your Local Sherriff” hang democracy out to dry
"and replace it with something much more sinister"
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