08/06/09 - Readers Letter

Sir

Following the letters by Maria Lauretta and Anne Chalk (Echo 27/05/09) it is quite alarming the miss truths that are circulating regarding East Beach and feel that it is now time put the record straight.

At a public meeting on the 24 August 2007 Miss Lauretta is quite right that local residents were unamous in their rejection of a commuter car park on East Beach but this should not be confused with the proposed improvements to East Beach which are completely separate.

It is possible at present to buy a ticket at any time of the year and park your car anywhere on the grass - to me this sounds like a car park. In the summer months especially the current situation allows for virtually no enforcement on parking and allows for youths to drink, to drive dangerous and play loud music . The new improvements will allow for cars to be parked in one area which is more enforceable which will therefore free up more green space for residents and visitors to enjoy.

A second 'public meeting' on the 15th May was organised by the self imposed SEBAC chairman David Shindler although he has never been voted into this position - a move that would surely make Robert Magbue proud.

Let's say that this meeting was highly selective as not all Shoebury residents or West Shoebury ward councillor's were invited. Unlike Mr Shindler I have been voted into office but was not invited to attend this meeting even though many of the residents that I represent regularly visit East Beach I feel it is also time for Independent Party members Cllr Assenheim & Anne Chalk to come clean on this issue.

On the 12th January Cllr Assenheim told the Echo that he gave a cautious welcome to the plans but wanted to see the finer detail of the scheme. On the 6th April Cllr Assenheim and all the Shoebury councillors were invited to a meeting by council officers whereby Cllr Assenheim gave his full support to the scheme but only if there was 100% enforcement - something which Cllr Assenheim and I agree.

At the second public meeting Cllr Assenheim stated that this was a residential matter and not a political one. When pressed he was forced to then admit that he was against the scheme. This is not the first time that Cllr Assenheim has done this but feels that because he is an 'Independent' his actions or comments do not warrant the same level of scrutiny as other political parties.

My only advice is if Cllr Assenheim feels that this issue is too political for him then maybe he should consider resigning and forcing a by-election. Anne Chalk's actions are also worth some further scrutiny. It is a standing joke amongst Labour councillor's that she is old Labour through and through and that she is only standing as a Shoeburyness Ward Independent Party candidate in 2010 as Labour will not stand a candidate in her way and if elected cross the floor and re-join her Labour group colleagues.

Yours Faithfully

Cllr Tony Cox West Shoebury Ward West Road Shoeburyness