Nomination night rolled out without incident although one infraction was a little strange.

Freddie Cohen’s proposer seem to rattle on for ages, beyond three warning bells, at least seven minutes, with no comment made.

Stuart Syvret’s proposer has one bell and is about five minutes long and is asked to finish.

This is not playing with a straight bat. I’m not a Syvret supporter but a level playing field is all that is called for.

Here is a BBC radio programme discussing the merits of opening up dialogues, creating conversations with people to help rebuild society. To make people feel less lonely and to add relevance and importance to peoples lives.

It sounds simplistic but some of the best ideas are.

Sit down, share some food, and start chatting.

There is no doubt if you can start talking to people, once they feel their voice is being listened to, you validate their existence. The feel they have a worth.

Great programme. Great idea. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01460dl

Dear Electors of St. Helier No. 2.

Each year I put myself up for election because I want you, the electorate to have a choice that I think would benefit the community and importantly yourselves. Like you, I have been disenchanted with the quality and timbre of those getting elected and I have seen the depths that some of these people will sink to in order to get themselves re-elected, including breaking the law. The same two lawbreakers don’t even live in the district they put themselves into.

Three years ago I ran with Rod Bryans, Sue Stoker and a very distinctive and likeable individual named Giffard Aubin. I was surprised that both Rod and Sue had ideas and importantly passion for district 2 that was so similar to my own that it was quite uncanny. Both had a feeling for the district, living in the centre of it and being a part of a community that is very dear to my own heart. They understand the issues and the heartaches you are all well aware of, but importantly they both had a view of the bigger picture such as population growth, GST, housing, education and pensions etc. that would also affect the electorate in District 2.

I was again preparing to stand in St Helier No 2 in this year’s elections. I had my printing sorted, my posters ready to go and my manifesto prepared, but then I heard that Rod was going to be standing.

Like you, I want my deputy to be a part of the community, to care about the area they live in and to provide the support that we need over the coming years. I want a deputy who is not a criminal, who lives in the district that they represent and who can be a strong voice on our behalf within the states. For this reason I am going to be supporting Rod in this next election, and to ensure that votes are not watered down from my participation, I will not be standing. While we can all vote for three deputies it is not a requirement to use up all or any of the votes. I would ask that if you care about your community like I,  you vote solely for Rod in the understanding that this sends a clear message to others that we need honest men of Rod’s calibre in the States who will work tirelessly for the district which is so much a part of their own lives and hearts already.

Regards

Adrian Walsh

Dear Electors of St. Helier No. 2 District,

Once again it is time for you to choose your Deputies to represent your interests in the States.  At the last Election I was honoured to be chosen by 300 Electors but unfortunately it was not enough to see me successful, to those 300 I give my very belated heartfelt thanks. I am now strongly urging those people, and all residents of St. Helier No. 2 District, to give your support to Rod Bryans.

Although you have 3 votes, it is very important that you use those votes wisely, you do not have to use all 3 votes if you find you only support one candidate, giving votes to second-best only reduces the chance of your preferred candidate getting elected.

Having fought the last election, my eyes were opened to the true character of the other candidates.  I am afraid to say that honour was sadly lacking in the successful candidates, as proved in the Royal Court 6 months later.  Throughout the election Rod proved to be honest and sincere, and, had my husband Graham and I not been persuaded by family to move back to the U.K., I would be working to support Rod in this election. At the very least, Rod lives in and cares about St. Helier No. 2 District and I know he would serve the Residents to the best of his ability.  When you come to vote, ask yourself, what have our present Deputies actually done for us? Have they kept any of their promises? Have we seen them around the District since the last election when the Press are not present?

Please, please give Rod Bryans your vote.

Sue Stoker. 

Rod Bryans will stand again in the forthcoming election for district St Helier No 2.

” I want to offer an authentic alternative to the residents of St Helier 2 and honour the faith of those who voted for me at the last election.”

Below is a copy of an article that I wrote for the Jersey Chamber of Commerce in January that relates to some of the stories you are reading in the press lately.

A new year, a new government and the constant white noise of recession buzzing in our ears. There was an air of expectancy that we would wander through the Christmas sales like poor ghosts. But it didn’t happen. We didn’t spend too much and we didn’t spend too little. We became cautious, sensible shoppers with an eye for a bargain, ferreting out goods of real value and long may the mind set continue.
It wasn’t just the media that cloaked everything with an air of apprehension, our own conversations were riddled with resignation. The whine of despair was constant. There seems no respite from bad news.
But those of us who have been there before know it doesn’t last and are looking for those indications of light at the end of the tunnel. Just like the patterns and rhythms of nature we emulate, spring always follows winter. Meanwhile what do we do?
Well one thing is to adopt the same mentality as they did during the war.  Look at everything in terms of its worth or viability and you get creative. Wars create vast opportunities for circumspection and innovation so do recessions. We just need to adopt the mindset.
If necessity is the mother of invention then maybe a recession could be the father.
When we founded the 745 Breakfast Club its main focus was to create a networking opportunity for its members but it has become much more than that. Sound ideas spread quickly and the last few years have seen some seep into the public domain. Below are a couple of instances to consider for 2009,

•    “Think Twice, Buy Local” was a small attempt to get people to focus on their choices. To amplify the notion that dealing with, where possible, local companies, can have a profound effect. Money stays on the Island and people are kept in jobs, cows in fields. The aim is to focus on choice, a kind of “Caveat Emptor” (buyer beware), where people are forced to contemplate the result of their actions and where possible choose a local provider. Already we have Kevin Keen suggesting a local bank. This must have some legs? What other progressive ideas are people sitting on?

•    The prefix re- will dominate our language. Re-discover, re-engage or re-connect in particular will provide the tools for us to get back to what we have been missing. Tourists will re-discover Jersey. Locals will re-discover what is on their doorstep, what they have been missing. We all do it, forgetting or ignoring what is in our own back yard. For the retailer it is re-discovering were the value of their business truly lies. Re-connecting with their customers. Opening dialogues that may have lost or broken. Locally sourced foods will help us re-discover tastes we had forgotten and it will all be good fun.

Creativity and innovation can provide hope and illumination, it’s a matter of perspective. If you combine those skills with a collectively responsibility it becomes unstoppable. Good Luck!

It’s a sad fact of life that when people are scared they do foolish things. The JDA was worried they would lose the Election and that forced them to break the law.

It’s as simple as that. The new law was put in place to prevent such acts. Deputies Southern and Pitman chose not just to ignore it but to break it for political advantage. Such acts are usually only found in a Banana Republic.

They now assert it was to highlight the failings in the law, that it contravened Human Rights legislation. Not only that but that they would do it again. Likening themselves to political activists like Rosa Parkes or Nelson Mandela. It’s patently laughable. Nobody is fooled. Their deliberate skullduggery is more akin to Robert Mugabe and his cohorts.

There was a process in place to help Postal Voters. As Candidates we were all informed that should anyone have problems and wish to utilise a postal vote then they should contact the Town Hall. They would send out an independent staff member to help. No Candidate should get involved. But Geoff and Shona chose to ignore that law.

All anyone expects when they put time, effort and money into standing for election is a level playing field. Not only were the other Candidates deprived of this but the Electorate was duped by a couple of people lacking honesty and ethics. These are the acts of desperate people.

Politicians are lawmakers not law breakers.

If the Electorate is to trust its politicians then all vestiges of corruption should be eradicated.Politicians should abide by the rules they create. Geoff Southern and Shona Pitman are arrogant enough to believe they stand above the law. Let’s hope they are wrong.

I wanted to write and thank all of those people that turned out to vote for me. It’s disappointing to not get in but it was a close run thing and given that we started from ground zero in terms of the electorates knowledge of me, the results prove that with effort comes reward. So thank you all very much.

I didn’t do it without a lot of help from friends and family. They sacrificed a great deal of time and effort with little consideration to their own discomforts. So a big thank you to all of them too.

It was a humbling experience but taught me a great deal about the people of Jersey, their fortitude and strength of character. To witness the arrival of some of the more senior members of the community determined to exercise their rights and cast their votes was very emotional. Their stoicism was a testament to the character of that generation.

I became very closely acquainted with my fellow candidates who also missed out and we are determined to carry on in some way to serve the members of our community as best we can. It is sad to consider that not one of the candidates elected lives within the district but that was the choice of the electorate.

It doesn’t compromise my ambitions and I will continue to serve the people of this district in the best way that I can outside of the Government.

Thanks for the emails and phone calls of commiseration they are very kind and gratefully accepted.

Thank you very much and I hope to see more of you over the coming months and years.

Rod

Those three words reflect the central beliefs of my campaign.

Just three words that open core issues for all of us.

Opportunity

The opportunity for any individual to have the life they deserve. To aspire to a better life and have those aspirations supported. To be treated with reason and respect.

The opportunity of any youngster to receive the best education possible. Having reached the end of their schooling to have every opportunity to find a decent job.

The opportunity to reach out and listen to the young, hear what they say and act accordingly. For this is their age full of hope and audacity.

The opportunity for the elders of our tribe to be heard with all the wisdom they have acquired and the knowledge they can share. To tell us stuff. For this is their age too.

The opportunity for Jersey to be recognised not just for its inherent natural beauty but its intellectual property. An Island that governs with vision, with honesty and represents all the clean ideals of modern governance.

Responsibility

The responsibility of the government to protect the weak, the poor, the most vulnerable members of our society. To be aspirational in its designs and desires.

The responsibility for us to look after each other. To make things better. To become inspirational and inspire others. To treat everyone we meet with kindness and respect.

Community

There is no doubt people believe that the sense of community has been lost. But we still crave it.

The more technology creeps into our lives, computers at work, at home, the more stressed we seem. We don’t read computers we scan them. Small pieces of everything gobbled up.

Huge TV screens, Playstations and X-boxes flood our senses with colour, with action and excitement but it’s transient, fleeting. Like fireworks. We’re left with a great feeling of emptiness. For some a feeling of loneliness.

This coming recession could change everything. It may drive us to get closer. To “Think Twice and Buy Local”. To get out and talk to people. to become engaged, committed.

We need Community Champions to create collectives tribes that have a common cause. If the Government can’t give us the support or the direction then we should take it upon ourselves to find those that can.

The changes we make don’t have to be large ones. Small tweaks to the system can have profound effects.

Cynicism, scepticism along with negativity need to be driven out. Replaced. Let’s find the good guys. Those with energy passion and drive. People with character, verve, ideals and give them the opportunity to change things.

Opportunity, responsibility, community. It’s almost a mantra.

It’s late and I’ve just arrived back from canvassing. I have to tell you the buzz on the street is brilliant. People are really engaged.

Don’t believe the press or anyone that paints a cynical picture of what the public are thinking. They are wrong. People are hungry to connect and put their faith behind anyone who has heart and principles.

They have stories to tell and for a long time no one has been willing to listen or even give them the time of day. That has to change. There is a hunger for community. To rediscover what seems to have been lost.

To connect with those around them. All politicians have a unique opportunity through this election to do just that. Door to door. Face to face.

There is a movement happening. It is quiet and polite so it may not be obvious to the naked eye but it is happening. Like tectonic plates shifting below the surface. No one sees it but the effect is profound. You can scoff but you can’t stop it.

I am just pleased to be part of it.