I WRITE in response to yet more condemnation of the whole of Normanton.
Having recently had a discussion with council leader Ranjit Banwait, I have to report that it is felt that is up to the community to lead in terms of how to behave and live in our crowded streets.
While I agree with this perspective, the problem relates to having a significant majority of reasonable, respectful and polite people in the community who can lead.
I feel that, after living with our current difficulties for two or three years, there is a significant majority who have become used to living a life of selfish abuse of resources, services and goodwill.
I understand the role of councillors is to set policy and agree an approach that enables the community to deal with its problems, through empowering residents and modelling a better way of living.
But I still feel there is a role for enhanced engagement by the councillors in walking and talking, knocking on doors, addressing problems and challenging people to live a life that is better for all of us.
To this end, I will be contacting Mr Sandhu, Mr Khan and Mr Dhindsa to discuss how we can improve our chances of influencing how people live round here and how we can get people to account for much of the arrogant, selfish and disrespectful behaviour.
Lets take a good hard look at the society we've created and do something to account for our own condoning of bad behaviour.
It's going to be very difficult to overcome some of these problems and it'll take more than one or two to turn it around.
Could we have more people being brave enough to stand up and say enough is enough?
We need to live together for each other as well as ourselves and we need the help of our councillors to give us confidence to have the courage of our convictions. E-mail them, tell them you care and you need them to care, too.
Will Hodgkinson
Chatsworth Street
Derby
