Hope for the future of this blog..

I understand what Jamie is trying to do - create more interest on a blog for Dorking.
Previously, Cockerel used to post the many and various subjects and we just used to comment. This was OK because, until he gave up in April, he kept a steady flow of subjects coming. Now, we are expected to do this for ourselves but new readers dont neccessarily know how. It means regularly publishing the sign-in address AND password, the latter of which is usually kept by the blogmaster himself to prevent graffiti, obscenities, offers of Viagra etc... Do regular contributors want total freedom or somebody like Jamie to take the place of Cockerel who would be entrusted with the (new) password? It's Dougies blog so what does HE want or prefer?

I am retired and have plenty of time but no longer live in my home town so dont know what is going on other than what I read on-line in Dorking Advertiser.... Could Jamie replace Cockerel? Or could Jamie and just the 'founder members' (currently interested readers) of this blog retain the password, to reduce the chance of abuse?

Before I say any more about the amount of negative stuff that has been posted, can I do likewise but with a possibly more positive approach?

I have just read, in the On-line Dorking Advertiser, Councillor Pearson's reported claim that the now permanent evening parking arrangement will bring in £29,000 a year and the cost of the scheme to be only £1,000! How can this possibly be the case when the minimum wage is almost £6 and hour? As I dont live in Dorking I am assuming that an 'evening' lasts 4 hours which is £24 x 7 nights = £168 x 52 weeks = £8,800 for the attendant alone. Then there is the inevitable auditing, paper work and supervision, possibly even the creation of a new supervisory job to be paid for.... Cllr Pearson's reported claims suggest that the machines take an average of £80 a night so are they emptied every midnight (by a paid for supervisor?) or could this be a nice little £100 earner for a determined crook on a good night? As for £1,000 annual running costs I can only wonder whether the job at £2.73 an hour is going to an illegal immigrant who hasnt yet had his passport checked.. Taking into account the amount of ill will directed towards the residents of nearby roads who cant now even park outside their own homes in the evening AND those of the town in general, the councillors need to be shown up. Dont let them get away with it! Demand information under the Freedom of Information legislation - actual costs including all the extras, not just the amount in the machine multiplied by 365... I am not suggesting that people take to the streets in riot but Dorkinginians need to do more about this matter. Cllr Pearson reports that, other than the petition, only 9? people have bothered to write to the council personally. She is dismissive of your petition as she will probably say that many people will sign anything that's put in front of them.
In the town where I now live, the local council decided arbitarily to change the town's taxi fare basis, condition etc. Within a week, the whole taxi fraternity did a slow-drive protest round and round the town centre. It lasted an hour and brought the town centre to a standstill. There was uproar! And the taxis said it will happen again 'next week' and maybe more often... The town hall architects of the planned scheme immediately let it be known that a "further meeting" with the taxi drivers had now been scheduled. It was a real climb down and, you bet, it took place before the second planned slow-drive! What about a regular but peaceful deputation with some placards at Pippbrook? I bet they would be on the phone to wherever your councillors are, like a shot. Dont let them get away with it....