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SV2019

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  1. Like
    SV2019 reacted to Ghostrider in Inter Island Ferry Service   
    There's two games at play with Holyrood, firstly, regardless of their protestations and overtures to the contrary, the Scottish establishment do not, never have, and probably never will in the next few centuries at least, consider Orkney & Shetland as a "true" part of Scotland, any more than many Orcadians and Shetlanders consider themselves 'Scottish' - We are very much the reluctant and mostly ignored foster child which they don't want, but their greed won't let them let go of. Just like you sometimes see (albeit not so often these days) a family with kids of their own, but one or more foster kids as well, who are very obvious by the fact they wear the hand me downs, while the biological children are always dressed in the new stuff - The foster ones are only where they are because the fosterers get an allowance paid for them, they're a commodity, and commodities only justify the minimum investment to ensure they continue to yield the maximum payout. We're a commodity in the same way to the Scottish political establishment, and right now they're conducting an experiment in just how low they can let their investment go without affecting the returns on it they get from us.
     
    Secondly, we're sitting on a little bit of money, and nobody in Holyrood is going to take pity on us and send momey here when it serves their interests better to throw it around as bribes for votes in the central belt, as that's where the numbers are that matter as to whether they stay on their gravy train or not, it doesn't matter how we vote, as in the bigger picture our influence whoever we vote in is minimal, the support the local SNP branch was getting from Head Office and the quality of candidates they've put forward in both Scottish and national elections in the recent past is proof enough that they really don't care what happens here.
     
    We're on our own to sink, we can choose between spending our reserves to plug the gap in Government funding either quickly or slowly, but until its all spent there will be no compassion or fairness coming this way out of Holyrood, only empty promises and flowery talking, and any compassion even then will only come if we go cap in hand and do a lot of begging. Or we can take on Holyrood at their own game, with the right research, planning and tactics any Council, including this one, could, back Holyrood in to a corner where they had to choose between honouring their obligations to the entire populations in a reasonable and fair manner, or face the real prospect of being painted so black their chances of holding on to power were all but wiped out. That unfortunately seems to be the last thing on our lot's mind though, given that the only reported reaction from our great white leader to yet another funding reduction was to scuttle away with his tail between his legs muttering about "more cutbacks to keep within the Edinburgh enforced budget". What happened to fighting for our fair share? I doesn't need much midder wit to know that if you just meekly and submissive accept whatever you're offered, you're very liable to be offered even less next time round - and we are, time and time again. Yet those on top of teh ttem here let it happen over and over again. Things will get worse regardless, but they'd get worse a whole lot more slowly if Edinburgh were a bit nervous of just what sort of broadside was about to be unleashed on them from these northern wastelands unless they sent enough to keep our protestations down to a dull roar.
     
    'Those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat the same mistakes' or something like that is how the adage goes - History tells us that between 1500 and 1900 we were lorded over by the Scottish establishment who systematically ground both the place and the people in to the ground by creaming off almost all of the lion's share in the better times and ignoring folk's needs in the harder ones. History aso tells us that in the 15 years or so since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree in the 100+ years we've managed to largely stay out from under their thumb.....The thumb is now well and truly back, and if you want to have a general idea of how the remainder of this century will unfold politically, go check your history for the period 1600-1900 and the attitude of those who held power then, as the immediate future will be the same MO, only adapted to suit modern society and lifestyles.
     
    The Council themselves could do much to put their own house in order as well, which would minimise the need for cuts in the actual service delivery. They're sitting on a grossly bloated over-complicated management system, and using many equally over complicated and un-necessary management and admin procedures and systems, not to mention the slew of totally un-necessary 'non-job' positons, all of which are drawing salaries and incurring costs needlessly. The place would run as well, probably better in fact, if all the desk bound elements between the elected members and the front line staff were completely redesigned and streamlined with an emphasis on minimalisation, effectiveness and efficiency, and yield a scarily surprising amount in savings, but there seems no stomach within the organsation to even explore that avenue.
  2. Like
    SV2019 reacted to whalsa in Inter Island Ferry Service   
    Your point is no piss take, by attempting to force the SIC to use its reserves to pay for basic services which they should be funding this is exactly what the Scottish Government are doing. Another example is "per pupil" funding models for education. Rural areas will always suffer under such methods. Some would say your scenario is already well underway. 
     
    As for the Norwegian offer, yes the offer is there but the SIC would need a ~£20M down payment (for the Whalsay option, could be different for other routes), if we were to take this from our reserves then that would have a huge knock on effect on other services. 
     
    Your point about fibre connections is very true, especially in light of the potential satellite centre development in Unst which would require fibre broadband. 
  3. Like
    SV2019 got a reaction from thebfg in Inter Island Ferry Service   
    Hi George
     
    I Agree some your points but future of Islands depend on people  and Numbers  If they keep falling or not going up Government will stop Giving more monies on ferries service  it go to few ferries per day, and only way to get numbers  up and  family’s to stay on islands give conditions work places good transport links, but I am seeing that Sic try to centralize  things that people are encouragement to move to lerwick  Rural areas will slowly come fewer over time,  Anderson High school is great 50 plus Million  Costs  for prefab building 25-max 30 years live span ,but same time they closed small schools, in rural areas, that’s how communities survive is by having schools post offices shops,
     
     
    when they close means village life is slowly stopping
     
     
    I sorry to say Rural Villages to me is very important in any country if their good means Government are good if there slow down means special program to cut them   and centralization to town   and they  don’t want rural developments or  work places or housing in that areas. this reality and Budgets go to Lerwick areas more for them . this Wrong in My books, Budgets are for all Shetlands, to develop Time people opened there eyes see this situation,even unst Airport could operate flight 1- 2 times per week to Aberdeen save people going all way south end  by way  weres marketing of transport  to get people in out isles millions  go to  budget to zetrans what they  do hire in counsultants  give big fees, communites can give same advice even better there needs free of charge  

     
     this airport  is on hold by some people  give it to airline operate service Get it working,such airlines operate all over world small airports List goes on Old saying if you depend on a fool represent you whats results end of day?? Zero thats why isles are 10 years behind    sorry to say about my homeland 
     
     
  4. Like
    SV2019 reacted to George. in Inter Island Ferry Service   
    We probably can't build any tunnels or fixed links. No doubt all materiels required for them will have to be delivered by inter-island ferries and all deliveries will be controlled by the S. I. C. and they will tell us how important it is that they mainain full power over it all, when some other crowd could probably do the job in half the time and at a tenth of the price.
  5. Like
    SV2019 reacted to The bear in Inter Island Ferry Service   
    Ferry service for north isles is a joke today yes it's windy but can't get off north isles to get to slmg final sale of the year I am disappointed to say the least. It's another reason fixed links need to be brought into play ASAP so the isles as a whole can get into the 21st century so everyday people can get about and do there work.
  6. Like
    SV2019 got a reaction from The bear in Inter Island Ferry Service   
    Hi Readers
     
    I think best option is to put to vote on Northern Isle what people of isles want letter to each house hold to tick box with options, as end day SIC must respect peoples wishes, I believe personally fixed links best, give locals chance of people move day or night and to Attract tourism and business to islands, Bura Isle has proven population went up in area as people can work were they wish don’t depend on ferries. With this Scottish office must respect people as well and find Eu and private public partnership to build tunnels, faro Islands also built there tunnels a long time ago but they were thinking of their people needs, I believe people must stand together advice SIC in writing with list people what they want, Not be told what they will get after all  people voted for them run SIC  for requirements of Shetland, Oil funds bring home to Shetland use for needful projects, No project over 5million  should be done by Sic unless people Shetland advice benefits what help Isles. To much power by them using Shetland people oil funds Its sad see small schools closing there after  next here 1.5m for clickmin centre who decides this funds is any one responsible for their actions or mistakes in SIC? Government and oil funds for all Shetlands so spread projects over islands inc   housing, and let Private investors in help them Not just few thinking state Sic must do. As this a  start of a form Communism by local government
     
    So I think Four options in wishes people
     
     
    A build new ferries links expensive way over 100 years’ costs?
     
    B Give out to tender ferries owners come with ship run service on 5-year contract.
     
    C give Scottish government to run service to requirement of Isles.No cost to SIC 
     
    D fixed links public private partnership use min 100 years work places repairs a lot cheaper yearly 24-hour service were business can develop

     
     
     
  7. Like
    SV2019 got a reaction from thebfg in Inter Island Ferry Service   
    Can Anyone advice why SIC don’t go for tunnels? When Eu and Norwegian company both would fund most of it Yell one could drive and same Unst day or night don’t depend on whether to mainland Shetland, it be great I don’t believe people in North isle would object such service if built.
    I see in media Sic have been at Scottish office for ferries payments to Give more Funds , But do remember not   long ago Scottish Government offered to take run ferries Directly. why Sic did not except this  with conditions to run service? this would have cleared their liability’s financial, and monies could go in developing communities 
     
    Sic do wonderful Job operating service but time let others run service, Dont  Hold on to it.  They could put service out to tender possible save few Millions per year usually people look at different options but not with ferries some reason they  must hold it  Any operator be Glad tender   and operate  such ferries operation on 5-year contract
     
    I welcome any comments on this as its strange situation this saga why tunnel option is  of the talks and people Northern isles depend on weather and cant get there business in lerwick done as depend ferrie times return home as tunnel 24 hours aday
     
     
     
  8. Like
    SV2019 got a reaction from thebfg in Scalloway Fish Market   
    Hi Readers
    Why Sic all time have to take control of Investment in Shetland? why they don’t ask Investors come into Shetland build with their own monies? this goes for a lot thing houses factories food productions can be done in Shetland give jobs to locals in areas, ship goods out shetland   there’s no plans drawing up to help villages and north isles for next 10- 20 years, no were SIC have north Isles Westside small unites people could rent that I see.
    Everything done is for Lerwick. Rest Shetland people can struggle, please  Make jobs in areas for people. Were they stay villages will Develop have jobs
     
    Scallaway fish market is very much required but out there is Investors who can build and costs locals nothing companies would give jobs to locals. Its seems if SIC don’t have finger in pie it’s no Go
     
    This why Shetland outside Lerwick not developed to well in outer regions, Example if Norwegians want build tunnel welcome them don’t close door get them to table for talks working ferries next 100 years depend on weathers and repairs new ferries  is not so good. We getting left behind in progress,becuse few  locals dont understand situation in tunnels   thats the  ones live in fear of developments of area and rather hold up progress it should be ashame for them rep people in such manner
     
    Maybe hard to say this  but reality, if people want tunnels SIC must push for this its  the will of people of shetland  Its  not private business they own and run them self SIC its state service of people requirments as elected Goverment of scotland and UK
  9. Like
    SV2019 got a reaction from Frances144 in Scalloway Fish Market   
    Hi Readers
    Why Sic all time have to take control of Investment in Shetland? why they don’t ask Investors come into Shetland build with their own monies? this goes for a lot thing houses factories food productions can be done in Shetland give jobs to locals in areas, ship goods out shetland   there’s no plans drawing up to help villages and north isles for next 10- 20 years, no were SIC have north Isles Westside small unites people could rent that I see.
    Everything done is for Lerwick. Rest Shetland people can struggle, please  Make jobs in areas for people. Were they stay villages will Develop have jobs
     
    Scallaway fish market is very much required but out there is Investors who can build and costs locals nothing companies would give jobs to locals. Its seems if SIC don’t have finger in pie it’s no Go
     
    This why Shetland outside Lerwick not developed to well in outer regions, Example if Norwegians want build tunnel welcome them don’t close door get them to table for talks working ferries next 100 years depend on weathers and repairs new ferries  is not so good. We getting left behind in progress,becuse few  locals dont understand situation in tunnels   thats the  ones live in fear of developments of area and rather hold up progress it should be ashame for them rep people in such manner
     
    Maybe hard to say this  but reality, if people want tunnels SIC must push for this its  the will of people of shetland  Its  not private business they own and run them self SIC its state service of people requirments as elected Goverment of scotland and UK
  10. Like
    SV2019 got a reaction from thebfg in Have your say on Knab plans   
    Housing and mixture of civic uses proposed for disused Anderson High School site ?
     
    well this seems to be plan from start housing idea from Sic  in this area, when in fact they have land in area stanny  hill for houses better keep such housing one location with good  Infustrutcure place and not spoil nice scenic area with housing. Next to cemetery.
     
    I think this area better to be kept for social use for young and old    centre for old people were they can Go in day time like a day centre with nice gardens planted trees, main buildings can be used for accommodation for people of Shetland and uk to come stay few days on holiday, at low costs.
    even people from islands would love come lerwick stay few days but accommodation is quiet high price these days   hotels  costly, I think SIC needs let people Shetland Decide what to do with this area as belongs to people and Sic Officials are appointed to represent people by their votes, and to hear people views,
    This  project must be put to ballot vote  were by all people Shetland can vote what to do, this not hard or costly excise as 25000 plus people on islands and  papers can be sent each house hold  with number options given as to use property, old Anderson high school nice old building better to keep as way it was outside with Gardens were people can enjoy looking outwards to bressey, enjoy area, I understand housing required in Lerwick But last 20 years Sic have kicked their heels with planning permissions in area for developers  In  UK plenty companies  developers come put houses up for buyers in Shetland  if Sic give permissions ,as Shetland house prices are quiet good for builders on profit. They can design build if land available this SIC must think of.  Same applies to North Isle tunnels it’s for future generation to have so we must build today for our children. People must decide Its future Not stand still
    A none goverment assocation needs be set up represent people views for Anderson High Former school
    And other problems in shetland, I am shetland native person and when I here needs people food parcels  its sad weres our large Oil fund Gone, when small country schools close its sad Whats Happening here
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