From hospital food to mystery of clock tower - your views (From Keighley News)

From hospital food to mystery of clock tower - your views

7:30am Thursday 4th February 2010

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Let the debate on democracy begin

What is the price of democracy? In your editorial last week, you asked the above question and challenged the right of the “impartial town mayor” to suggest co-opting someone to fill the vacant seat in Riddlesden and Stockbridge, rather than face a by-election which will cost £10,000.

In parliamentary terms, when a sitting MP stands down, for whatever reason, there has to be a by-election, unless a general election has already been called; this is to ensure that the residents of that particular constituency continue to be represented. This does not apply in the case of Riddlesden and Stockbridge, as it has two other ward councillors to represent its residents, so a co-option makes financial sense.

Every professional committee I have ever served on has had a system whereby a casual vacancy can be filled on a temporary basis from “within the ranks,” so why could something similar (and more cost effective) be done now and in the future?

Furthermore, with just over a year to go before the four-yearly council elections, why spend £10,000 in the name of democracy? I do not know which candidate is the best for the job, or who will win, but I know if I were a resident of Riddlesden and Stockbridge, I would not want part of my taxes spending on an unnecessary election.

It is suggested that another by-election may be called before May, 2011. Imagine if each town councillor resigned in turn over the next year; the series of by-elections would cost the taxpayers 90 per cent of the council budget. How democratic is that?

I hope that my letter will start the debate. Martin Walker

Goose Cote Lane, Oakworth

Patient claims food was dreadful

I was admitted to Airedale Hospital for a major operation. I would like to ask the chairman Mr Colin Millar, the governors and trustees, (who I have already written to) what on Earth have they done to the lovely meals that used to be served from their own kitchens at the hospital?

Yes I know that they are closed because they needed upgrading but this food is dreadful. There is more waste than what is eaten. I have seen it with my own eyes and the waste is at every meal.

My husband and daughter had to bring me things to eat. All I had off the menu was breakfast and cheese and biscuits. I wrote on the back of my menu almost every day complaining, writing down my name and also my ward number but I did not get any answer from any one.

Airedale Hospital has won many awards but looses them with the food that is now served.

For goodness sake get the kitchens opened and get meals made like they used to be.

Mrs Babs J Myers

Kelbrook, Barnoldswick.

The hospital sent this reply:“Airedale NHS Trust takes complaints about hospital food very seriously and we are investigating Mrs Myers concerns about the quality of food she was served and also how we responded to her concerns, while she was a patient in the hospital last November.”

Gasworks clock tower has disappeared

I have just noticed that the old gasworks clock tower at Marley is no longer there, any ideas? I was always told this was a listed building and could not be touched. I used to manually climb the tower and set the time on this clock every day when I worked for British Gas in the 80s.

If I forgot to set the time daily you could guarantee somebody looking out from their windows up the hillside would ring up and complain.

Is this another case of some developer doing what they want and to hell with the consequences?

As far as I know the land it stood on still belongs to British Gas or whatever they call themselves now.

Yet another piece of Keighley’s heritage mysteriously disappearing. I would be interested to find out.

John Hutchinson

The Hallows, Shann Park, Keighley

Explanation wanted over cancelling phone

Will someone from BT please explain to me why when my mum passed away they wanted me to post her death certificate to cancel her phone line?

I spent half an hour on the phone being passed on to different options before I even got this far. After this experience I would never have the BT supply me with anything at all.

S Ellis

Strawberry Fields, Keighley

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