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Tuesday, 9 August 2011

Should I run again to be a councillor




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 chi
ldren
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 th
ought 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! ; )
Dean Shepherd
Gary Newman GOOD LUCK DAVE!!!
04 May 2008 at 13:05

Emma Blackman
Sue YATES

Sue YATES Good luck my friend.... I am sure you will be a great conservative representative. I was asked to stand for councillor here in Kettering, but am on the fence a bit when it comes to politics.. so I declined. Plus its such a commitment and I just dont have the time... but best of British to ya xx

03 April 2008 at 16:56

Emma Blackman I don't know why nobody thought of nominating you before! I reckon you will make an excellent councillor and spokesperson for the community. Bet you're really glad you started this group "as a joke" huh?!

06 March 2008 at 23:02
Cherida Plumb

Cherida Plumb Hoorah someone with sense on the council (well I mean sense in its loosest interpretation of course).

So......you want some suggestions. Well here's a list for starters.

The state of the streets - litter and graffiti
...

See more06 March 2008 at 12:59
Angela Fellows

Angela Fellows Just for the record...What is your gladiator name ?

06 March 2008 at 11:59
Angela Fellows

Angela Fellows Ok Cllr Earle... If your serious you have my vote :-)
What would you do to address the current binge drinking culture of banburys youth ?

06 March 2008 at 11:58
Neil Hobson

Neil Hobson Where do I sign?

23 February 2008 at 16:20
Caz Essence

Caz Essence Do it! Why not eh! :)

21 February 2008 at 18:02
Neil Cowlishaw

Neil Cowlishaw All Hail Mayor dave!!!!!!

21 February 2008 at 11:11
Lisa Cruickshank

Lisa Cruickshank Dave you would be brill...you know where I work and boy do they need it....go for it...

20 February 2008 at 21:06
Emma Blackman

Emma Blackman You have my vote Dave, always thought you were down with the kids and up with the growed ups! Good luck, would be great to see you in office - and I think the necklace is very becoming as it happens!! :-)

20 February 2008 at 20:40
Thor Vokes

Thor Vokes You cannot become the Mayor if:




* You hold a paid office or employment made or confirmed by the council.



* You have been declared bankrupt in the past five years and have not repaid their debts.



* You have been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to not less than three months imprisonment (including any suspended sentence) within the past five years.



* You can also be disqualified from holding office by order of the court, if you have incurred illegal expenditure (when acting as a councillor) of over £2,000 and been found guilty of corrupt or illegal practices under the Representation of the Peoples Act 1983.



*You have appeared on an average game show with John McEnroe.

20 February 2008 at 17:56
Thor Vokes

Thor Vokes How to become the Mayor
The criteria you need and the job explained.
You can become the Mayor if you:


...

See more20 February 2008 at 17:53
Linzi Iddon

Linzi Iddon you,d have my vote if i was still there dave .. good on you .

20 February 2008 at 14:12
Aaron Moncherry

Aaron Moncherry If i was from banbury id vote for you m8!!

20 February 2008 at 13:31
Matt Croghan

Matt Croghan yea dave for mayor bee brill! sort out those bloody chavs!

20 February 2008 at 11:08
David Milloy Strachan

David Milloy Strachan got my backing...

not only do people respect you, they take your advise

19 February 2008 at 23:03
Lisa Chawner-Miller

Lisa Chawner-Miller I believe that you are the one to make things happen in the town! Good luck, you know you have my vote!

19 February 2008 at 22:14
Karen Louise Wilson

Karen Louise Wilson go for it Dave!! I think an important issue is regarding our hospital - childrens and maternity ward.

19 February 2008 at 19:10
Rachel Wegerhoff

Rachel Wegerhoff I just picked up some litter from outside my office (empty packet of pork scratchings and a fag end) and I did it in the name of Lord Mayor Earle, does that count as helping you clean up the streets??!! lol

19 February 2008 at 15:52
Julie Hill

Julie Hill i think you will be just what Banbury needs for a mayor and make it a better place for the youngsters to live!

19 February 2008 at 15:21
Natalie Hardman

Natalie Hardman I agree with your policies dave! You are gonna be a busy bee what with your gladiator training and running for mayor!

19 February 2008 at 13:49
Lisa Chawner-Miller

Lisa Chawner-Miller I believe that you are the one to make things happen in the town! Good luck, you know you have my vote!

19 February 2008 at 22:14
Karen Louise Wilson

Karen Louise Wilson go for it Dave!! I think an important issue is regarding our hospital - childrens and maternity ward.

19 February 2008 at 19:10
Rachel Wegerhoff

Rachel Wegerhoff I just picked up some litter from outside my office (empty packet of pork scratchings and a fag end) and I did it in the name of Lord Mayor Earle, does that count as helping you clean up the streets??!! lol

19 February 2008 at 15:52
Julie Hill

Julie Hill i think you will be just what Banbury needs for a mayor and make it a better place for the youngsters to live!

19 February 2008 at 15:21
Natalie Hardman

Natalie Hardman I agree with your policies dave! You are gonna be a busy bee what with your gladiator training and running for mayor!

19 February 2008 at 13:49



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