Pools bus parade 'waste of money'

A COUNCILLOR has hit out at a Mayor's decision to give Hartlepool United a heroes' reception - saying elected members should have been consulted on the funding of the event.
Councillor John Marshall, who represents St Hilda’s ward in Hartlepool, has criticised Mayor Stuart Drummond for giving Pools a homecoming parade.
But Mayor Drummond replied saying the only cost was to cover public safety and crowd control, and they were met by his hospitality budget.
The parade was held last weekend with an open-top bus tour and reception, following Pools promotion to Coca-Cola League One.
Coun Marshall said if the money was coming from the mayor’s “own pocket” there wasn’t a problem, but if it was coming from public expenditure “it is a waste of taxpayers’ money”.
He said: “I want to know whether the mayor is going to pay for the closure of all the roads and the bus out of his own pocket. If it was his own money, he’s a very generous man, it’s up to him. He gets enough money.
“If, however, we are footing the bill, especially with us just being given another 4.9 per cent council tax rise, that’s not on.”
Coun Marshall said he was delighted that Hartlepool United had won promotion.
But he added: “They aren’t division champions. How much tax-payers’ money was spent on barriers, extra police and town roads being shut all over the place?”
The councillor also criticised the mayor for not consulting the rest of the council for the decision.
He said: “There are 47 councillors and the decision should have been given by them, not the mayor off his own bat.”
But Mayor Drummond said the civic reception itself did not cost a penny, as sponsors such as the Staincliffe Hotel, Cameron’s Brewery, Hartlepool United Supporters’ Association and Disabled Supporters’ Association helped out.
He added: “The only costs there were, were for public safety and crowd control outside the Civic Centre. It wasn’t more than £3,000 and that came from my hospitality budget - I don’t need permission from anybody to use that. The football club is a flagship for the town and when they are doing well, the success it brings has a knock-on effect on the public profile it brings us nationally.
“Anyone who wants to knock the success, I suggest is not a supporter of the club or Hartlepool.”

Do you think the £3,000 spent on Pools’ homecoming parade was a waste of money and is the criticism directed at the Mayor’s decision to fund it fair? Write or email us you with your views.

What a fecking Miserable Tvvat!!!!

Get you pens out Bunkerites!!!!

Councillor John Marshall ought to keep his nose out of things that don't concern him. It's certainly not every season that you get promoted and complaining about a few grand spent on a celebratin just makes him look like a complete dick......

Councillor John Marshall or whatever he's called this week should maybe worry about things closer to home.

The miserable fooker wants to spend more time making sure he looks less like a serial killer.........

Jesus he's scary!!

WHAT A COMPLETE COCK

i'll knock him out

He looks very much like a bloke down your way Mr Dawlish. This bloke I know of allegedly lived down that way and allegedly ran a pub I seem to recall before he allegedly moved up to the North East. It can't be the same alleged bloke because this bloke allegedly cleared off leaving a whole load of debt behind and was allegedly made bankrupt I think. Can't be the same bloke of course because if you were bankrupt you'd be disqualified from office so it can't be him.

Easy way to get round that....Change your name!!!!

Someone I know who got into debt has done it and got away with it!!!!

what was his pub allegedly called

Not sure Mr D.

I've emailed the cupid stunt......

Councillor Marshall

Are you a complete killjoy or what? Hartlepool United have been promoted 4 times in 99 years and you begrudge spending a little bit of money in celebration so people in the town can show their apeciation for what the lads have achieved. Hartlepool United are a major part of this town, their importance stretches beyond the 6000 or so fans they get. Many others who haven't got the money or time to spend watching their local team will of apreciated the oppertunity to line the route and show their support and apreciation for what Hartlepool United have achieved. I suggest you and your cronies wake up and start working with the football club instead of playing your silly games all of the time.....

Jonny

I note he complained AFTER the elections.

too peaz pleaze

errr cum onn wearz yor spel cheque lyke?

eye fink counsillor marshul iz alloud hiz opinyun

eye carnt spel thow az yu kan c......

evry won iz alloud an opinyun butt wen he talkz bulchite he derervz two hav sum stik....

Oi ewe takin thee pea?

eye'm kool

eye woz takin thee pee butt wil knot eny mor coz itz reely trikky two tipe lyk yoo......

hay know probz mait jst rememba inn thee wurdz ov thee grate Poorly Avian Williamz "Keap itt Rhyl"

you know they could also sell us the ground while theyre at it.

I mean come on they arent ever going to develope this big water centre

Absolutely unbelievable that he should complaint about an event that so many thousands of people thoroughly enjoyed. As most of the event was sponsored the amount it actually cost the tax payer amounted to no more than a few pence per head. What a killjoy. I just hope The Mail is bombarded with letters.

and that he is bombarded with shite





he's the one who thrives on a bit of baiting in the mail and i seem to recall claims to be getting harassrred and in fear of his life.

I wonder if what John was saying is right now how could anyone find that out ....?

What a complete ring piece this feller is, why on earth does he think 47 other tossers like him should be consulted when thousands turned out for the parade? Narrow minded parochial living in the past has beens whose life is so shallow and insignificant they feel they have to find an identity through becoming a councillor have held this town back for decades, well here's the vote from the dugout household cllr Marshall, FECK OFF BACK UNDER YOUR ROCK
kuntybollox

good word that paddy

Has he really crawled from under his rock

http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?si ... =529247197

Definitely not, whoever it is blew the wind up with the comments about car parks etc.

it's Dibble isn't it??

At least we can see where THIS MONEY actually went !!

He'll have only been twisting on cos he wanted all the money in his own pocket, No doubt he'll be one of them who doesnt want to sell the ground back to Pools.

"ONE STUART DRUMMOND, THERE'S ONLY ONE STUART DRUMMOND"

Here's to the NEXT promotion party !