I’m not voting

John Clark writes…

First published: June 2004 – Gazette & Herald

I am interested in politics; I can be bothered; I’m not bored; I’m not young; I’m not apathetic and I’m NOT VOTING. How else do I protest? Vote for an extreme party? I’ve considered writing ‘No Thankyou’ on the ballot paper. I’ve wondered about standing with a banner. The possibility of throwing green flour at Tony Blair crossed my mind. Maybe I could write to my MEP if I knew who or where to contact them. The politicians are unaware that most of those who don’t vote are protesting. Continue reading Ryeview – June 2004 →

Protect our native Flora

John Clark writes…

First published: May 2004 – Gazette & Herald

For fifty years farmers have spearheaded a campaign of destruction. Hedgerows, flower meadows, cornfield flowers, water meadows and farmland birds have all been dramatically reduced. All in the name of efficiency. All in the name of cheap food. All in the name of profit. Are farmers the main culprits? Definitely not. This biodestruction has been co-ordinated, encouraged and often paid for by governments of all colours through their agent MAFF. Continue reading Ryeview – May 2004 →

Tourism comes at too high a price

John Clark writes…

First published: April 2004 – Gazette & Herald

In 1939 my mother and grandmother were tourists. How did they manage this? There was no Yorkshire Tourist Board, no marketing brochures, no dual carriageways and no Tourist Information Centres. The local council did not pour £350,000 into encouraging them to come. Neither did the council spend £100,000 plus cutting the verges so as to ‘attract the tourists’. My family stayed for two or three weeks despite the fact that there were no gift shops or ‘tourist attractions’. They came because of the countryside, the way of life and the peace and quiet. Continue reading Ryeview – April 2004 →

The Maize Plant Campaign

John Clark writes…

First published: March 2004 – Gazette & Herald

Do you want GM to get into your garden? Do you mind if the organic or conventional food you grow becomes Genetically Modified? This is the situation we are approaching. Continue reading Ryeview – March 2004 →

Tax decision was an opportunity missed

John Clark writes…

First published: February 2004 – Gazette & Herald

We are all going to be paying 5% more Council Tax to Ryedale Council. How did RDC arrive at the budget? Have we got value for money? Could savings have been made? Are we spending the Council Tax on the right things? Continue reading Ryeview – February 2004 →

John Clark writes…

First published: December 2003

This week I’m not going to write the usual rubbish. This week it is rubbish! During the Christmas period there is an increase in waste of at least a quarter. In the week following Christmas Ryedale collects almost double the usual amount of rubbish. Britain will produce an extra 3 million tons. Continue reading Ryeview – December 2003 →

John Clark writes…

First published: November 2003

Could this be my last Ryeview? I have in the past disagreed with fellow columnists and survived. However this time I intend to disagree with the Editor. Not an advisable course of action. Probably fatal in terms of a journalistic career!

The message from the editorial (G. & H. 19th Nov. 2003) is that local government is dear and that council tax should not rise. If I were a southerner I would delicately question the tenets of this statement. Coming from Yorkshire I say “the editorial is wrong”! Continue reading Ryeview – November 2003 →

Do we need a Conference Centre?

John Clark writes…

First published: September 2003 – Gazette & Herald

Something you need as opposed to want is something you cannot really do without. I have never heard anyone say we need a Conference Centre in Ryedale. It certainly isn’t something we cannot really do without! Continue reading Ryeview – September 2003 →

We are waiting for a crisis

John Clark writes…

First published: August 2003 – Gazette& Herald

The flooding in Norton was not a crisis.” This may be an alarming statement but let me explain how I was given this view.  I was suggesting to someone in Norton that Ryedale had an urgent need to cut down its use of energy, materials and waste.  Continue reading Ryeview – August 2003 →

Are Politicians to blame for Voter Apathy?

John Clark writes…

First published: July 2003 – Gazette & Herald

“The public are apathetic and can’t be bothered to vote.” It must be right; it was exactly how I felt about elections, particularly local ones. Commentators, newspapers, television, wireless and most of all politicians, have this view. I had never found politics boring but I had also caught the ‘can’t be bothered’ disease. Continue reading Ryeview – July 2003 →