Almost 4 Years ago, as a joke I started a Facebook group and titled it 'Dave Earle for Lord Mayor of Banbury' (Although I was too ignorant to know that towns have Town Mayors and cities have Lord Mayors' With literally hundreds of people joining the group I decided to approach a Town Councillor I knew and asked about the procedure to become a Town Councillor. Hours later I got a visit from the Town Mayor at the time who asked me if I was serious about becoming a Tow
n Councillor and to cut a long story short I joined his party, entered the election and won becoming Town Councillor representing the estate I live on.
Now I am at a point where I am wondering whether to stand again or not. The reason I joined the party was not political. I agree and disagree with many policies of all parties and never really favoured one or another. I became a Town Councillor so I could help the youth of Banbury. I have a gym and boxing club
that I feel has been instrumental in turning peoples lives around, Some astonishingly that have made headlines and some that are equally important but not so well known about. It is not just the youths that I first targeted that have seen their lives change for the better but many adults too.
I feel that becoming a Town Councillor has given me easier access to schools including special needs schools such as Frank Wise, who I feel I have a special relationship with, and schools for children
with behavioral problems such as Pruis and Swaycliffe School. I also visit
OCVC, the local college, to give talks and I also host talks and classes for them at Spit n Sawdust. My title
has also enabled me to work with many youth offending teams. I feel the gym takes on youths that others find it difficult to deal with. Many children have come to Spit n Sawdust for as long as 2 years as an alternative to going to school and although I enjoy helping these children this is not something I have ever asked or been offered payment for.
The people who work with me at the Amateur Boxing Club are all volunteers. We love what we do. I am not a Martyr and don't want to be congratulated. I am in the fortunate position to have a job that I love doing and not everyone can say that. It has been said that I do my job to inflate my ego but people can say what they want. I do what I do because I love changing lives.
The reason I am uncertain whether to remain as a Town Councillor is this: For seven and a half years I have struggled as a businessman. I don't blame anyone but myself. But as a Town Councillor I thought I would get support for the gym. I run my business from an old Edwardian building that I rent at a reasonable rate because it is in constant need of repair. Since I have been here.with the help from gym members I have installed new floors a tarmac drive RSJ's to support floors, Street lighting etc etc... with no help from the council though Tony Baldry did donate £1,000 a while back. It's true I could attend more meetings but awkward because meeting are in the evenings when I run my classes. I would love to run a business that needs no help or assistance and it is something I strive for but for now I could do with some help from the council I help to represent. I believe Spit n Sawdust is a public service that has not only helped people get fit and learn how to box but has also stopped many youths from re-offending which I believe is good for the local people and saves the tax payer money. My worry is that as a business I could cease to exist through lack of funding. The people on Facebook are the people who helped me become a Town Councillor. I am now unsure whether to continue would be happy for any thoughts on my position. After all if I do go for re-election it is you that I will be representing
This was the response from the group
Dean Shepherd well done mate, i think its only fair that you reward all members of this group with a nice ice cold ale! ; )
Gary Newman GOOD LUCK DAVE!!!
03 April 2008 at 16:56
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