| Tressell Councillors |
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Peter Chowney
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Jay Kramer | |||
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I am a socialist, and have for many years been involved in socialist politics. I believe in social justice, equality and fairness. I would like to see a more equitable society where wealth is distributed more fairly, and where people are encouraged to contribute their skills and abilities to the benefit of everyone, rather than their own personal gain. Everyone has a right to a reasonable, comfortable standard of living, with access to all the benefits of a modern, advanced society. But no-one has the right to expect more than their fair share: a society motivated by greed will never be a happy one. I am also a strong believer in public services, provided by the public sector: such services should be efficiently run for the public good, not for private profit. Overall though, I believe the most important issue facing us today is climate change: if we can't sort out that one, then we've all had it. Closer to home, my main interest in Tressell Ward is to preserve the Upper Ore Valley as open space that can be enjoyed by all, and to prevent it being developed as housing. On a personal level, I live outside the ward in St. Leonards, with my partner and three cats. I also have a daughter at university, studying photography. I have worked for years as a consultant to Government, local government and others, on performance management issues, but do less of that nowadays. I spend a lot of my time gardening and writing, having written a couple of novels, amongst other things. I am currently a member of the council's cabinet, and hold the portfolio for Regeneration, Planning and Communications. I am also a member of the Museums Committee, and the council's director on Hastings and Bexhill Renaissance Ltd (ie Seaspace). I am a member of various other organisations (in a personal capacity) including Unite trade union, Cuba Solidarity Campaign, Cats' Protection, Humanist Society, English Heritage and the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway Association! |
I came to the South
East in 1990 to work for the Trade Union 'Unison' as a Regional Officer,
based in I am proud to have
been part of establishing the Bridge Community Centre in Tressell ward,
which is a landmark building because of its design and because it has been
in the forefront of using sustainable materials in its construction, e.g.
Sussex grown sweet chestnut. The County was persuaded back in 2001 to sell
the old 1066 Centre (formerly the Zodiac and later the Priory
Neighbourhood Centre) and the surrounding land to the Community for half
its commercial value. If it hadn’t been for the commitment of local
residents and a variety of organisations, we would never have secured the
funding which enabled the Bridge to open in January 2006. Three years on,
the Centre is thriving and a hive of activity takes place, ranging from
training courses, youth groups, seniors lunches and cultivating the
outside area. If you are interested in getting involved or finding out
what is going on, please call 433611 Other successes
which I have been involved in since representing Tressell ward include the
multi-use games area at Torfield School, which is well used and a
significant local facility for the Bembrook Road area and the Sussex Arms
Junction which, although it is very disruptive at the moment, will make
crossing so much easier and safer for pedestrians. Both of these
developments have taken many years to arrive, but we got there eventually!
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Like Peter, I define myself as a Socialist and
believe in equality, which is what motivates me to be a Councillor. I was
first elected in 1998, to East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough
Council. 
