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Although
now retired I am still active as a School Governor at Branton St Wilfrids
and Finningley Church of England Schools. I am married to Mary and
have four grown up children, Katherine, Lesley, Susan and Terry junior.
I have three grandchildren Karl, Thomas and Hollie. I was born at
the Montague Hospital in Mexborough and raised in Denaby Main. I was
educated at Mexborough Grammar School.
After leaving school I worked at Cadeby Colliery as a Collier, Shotfirer
and Deputy. At 26 years of age I joined the West Riding of Yorkshire
Police Force and served for ten years during which I passed Police
promotion exams up to the rank of Inspector. After leaving the Police
force I returned to mining and worked at Armthorpe Colliery as a Face
Worker until being made redundant in 1986. During my working life
I have taken many further education courses including a three year
day release course at Sheffield University studying economics, sociology,
and politics. I have also had other varied jobs during my working
life. I consider that my widest education comes from the university
of life. Never mind the 'isms' or 'ists', my stand is very basic 'JUSTICE
AND EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL'. I have no hang ups, will
listen to anyone, and I always try to apply a large dose of common
sense. I have come to believe that the system of governance we have
is flawed. Good ideas are not limited to any one political party.
Every party has members with good and bad ideas. We have a Political
system where one party or group takes command, and then spends the
rest of their time trying to prove that they are always right. The
opposition rubbish's them at every opportunity. Worse still, woe betide
any one who steps outside the party line, for whatever reason. The
party line is only made up of people, and is usually a compromise,
and it should be remembered that people are fallible. Unfortunately
too many people become councillors or MP's just to be that and proceed
with their own personal ambitions being careful not to upset anyone
who they think may hold the key to their advancement. They are what
I refer to as Professional politicians and opportunists. I do accept
that many are honourable, but once on the ladder some become tainted
by power. To my mind a Mayor elected by the public, must be independent
of mind and a leader in the true sense. They must be able to select
a cabinet of his or her choice to include the best talent available
from the elected councillors and get on with the job of looking after
Doncaster and its people. A Mayor working for the people and given
goodwill and support can do great things to the benefit of all. With
regard to my campaign. It will not be negative. In other words I will
not denigrate the other candidates. I assume they all have good intentions.
My priorities on winning the election would be fairly simple, and
I have reason to think that they are achievable. Doncaster must be
cleaned up in every sense. It is absolutely vital that our youth should
be able to have their pleasures in our towns and villages without
the scourge of drugs and violence. All our citizens should be able
to live their lives without fear. I have campaigned for the airport
at Finningley for many years, the Public Inquiry is over and the Inspector
will be reporting to the Secretary of State by October of this year.
We need the result quickly and should not have to wait another year
for the decision. I am in favour of environmentally sustainable development
and resent the fact that pressure groups pretend they have a monopoly
of what is sustainable, or right.
To sum up, I am not anti any candidate in this election. Do the people
of Doncaster want things to remain as they are or do they want a new
and exciting start? My main interest is education in its widest sense,
from cradle to grave. This is the key to equality of opportunity for
all. It enables people to decide what they want, and gives them the
ability to achieve it. I strongly believe in the ethos of public service
and the commitment of our public service employees to deliver it.
It was once said to me 'when you pay peanuts you can expect monkeys',
the statement may be correct but rewards must mean that quality service
is delivered. It is also said 'it doesn't matter who you vote for,
once they get in they're all the same'. It doesn't have to be like
that. Give me the opportunity to make a difference.
Have you ever been in the situation where you approached a good local
councillor with a problem, and they couldn't help, mainly because
of having to follow a particular party policy. This should not happen,
common sense should apply. All problems are individual and should
be dealt with as such.
My history as a community campaigner includes the following:
Represented local parish councils and gave evidence against the toxic
waste site at Kirk Sandall.
Led the campaign against a prison on the RAF Finningley site.
Started and led the campaign for a commercial airport at RAF Finningley.
There has been and will be much more, including more facilities at
Doncaster Royal Infirmary and particularly a facility for renal dialysis.
Prepared
by election agent and candidate.
T. Wilcox 12 Moor View Branton Doncaster DN3 3NE
Tel: 01302 532692
e-mail terrywilcox21@btopenworld.com
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