Thoughts of Oscar

He Is Well!

2009-07-20T07:45:00.000+01:00

"Dear Oscar,

We (the family) are in Australia on holidays at present so we are safe and sound.
The bombing was not at our hotel, it was at the older Ritz-Carlton, but it still affects us all.
I was just thinking of you last week when the cricket was in Cardiff and do hope both yourself and ++++ are doing well.
It would be great to drop over and visit one day.
Will send an update soon.
Best regards
+++++"

How Many Police Does It Take To~~

2009-07-19T12:21:00.005+01:00

A simple road traffic accident involving two cars, slightly blocking one lane.
4 Police cars and God knows how many officers, and not one of them directing the traffic, meanwhile a fire engine arrives, we all had to navigate our own way around the accident.
Bloody amazing!

2009-07-19T11:30:00.000+01:00

Courage doesn't always roar sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."--

Mary Ann Radmacher

Humble.

2009-07-19T09:10:00.002+01:00

Guto has a nice comment on the Aberconwy Conservative blog, I have similar views with regard to these young persons joining our armed services.

"However, the highlight of the day for me was the young lad working for the beach cafe.
He was articulate and enthusiastic in relation to his impending initial 42 week training period with the army.
If he succeeds he will then undertake a further 28 weeks training in order to become a paratrooper.
In view of the events of the past few weeks I can only state that his integrity and full understanding of what his decision might entail made me feel very humble. I wish him well and feel certain that he will go far in his chosen career."

Their blog is coming on well!
http://aberconwyconservatives.typepad.com/my-blog/2009/07/penmaenmawr-promenade-day-18709.html

Do They Know Their ARSE From Their Elbow?

2009-07-19T07:15:00.000+01:00

HOW MANY MORE TO JOIN NHS DIRECT WALES TEAM AS SWINE FLU CALLS INCREASE?
RESPONDING to the news today that Wales will not join the national pandemic flu service being launched in England, Shadow Health Minister Andrew RT Davies said:
“The Minister clearly has confidence in Wales’ existing systems and that is reassuring.
“However there is already extra pressure on the Welsh NHS and that is only going to get worse.
“We must ensure people are getting a flow of clear and concise information about what to do if they suspect they may have contracted Swine Flu.
“Regrettably the Minister didn’t choose to brief us on her decision to opt out of the NPFS on Tuesday. It is vital that all parties are kept in the loop about such significant decisions.
“I would like clarity now on how many extra staff are going to be trained to handle the increasing number of calls to NHS Direct Wales.”

Does the ARSEmbly knows is ARSE from it's Elbow?

Meanwhile NHS direct Wales' latest news of swine flue is dated the 5th of July!

http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/small/en/home/nhsnews

Worthless Words.

2009-07-18T13:11:00.001+01:00

"Shame on those 74 MPs who turned turtle on Gary McKinnon. After signing a motion opposing his deportation to the America, they caved in to pressure from the Labour whips and voted with the Government.
Once again, cowardice and self-interest carried the day."

One member of Parliament who has a reputation for signing early day motions, as anyone can see form the "they work for you" website is our very own Betty Williams, and she was one of those that never followed through by voting against the government.
She is pictured bottom left.
It proves that her words are empty and mean nothing.
Shame on her and the others, they should never have signed the edm in the first place if they were not prepared to follow it through.

"Our Parliament is packed with money-grubbing second raters, who would struggle to hold down a proper job outside politics.
When a greasy chancer like Keith Vaz stands out as a beacon of integrity, you know you're in trouble. "Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1200220/Wheres-PC-Pagan-Hes-Summer-Solstice-Sarge-.html#ixzz0LbZ0O0VK

John Redwood has written about edm's, not good reading I am afraid to say.
http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2009/07/16/edms-one-sided-extradition-and-hypocrisy/

Life Being Put Into Perspective.

2009-07-17T19:51:00.004+01:00

Life has a funny way of putting things into perspective, earlier today I heard on the radio that two hotels had been bombed in Jakarta, one being a Ritz Carlton, I immediately thought of the Executive Chef, who we got to know very well over a couple of holidays in a different Ritz Carlton, some people you click with and some you don't, well he fell into the former category.
He is an Australian national, who knows this part of North Wales well, that was the start of us getting to know him.
A bit of an Australian looking version of Rick Stein, in looks and ways.
He was around the hotel from breakfast service until end of dinner service each day that he worked.
Some 2 years ago he moved to Jakarta, his wife's home country.
Today we find the hotel has been bombed, and tonight it was on the news that the bomb was set of by a suicide bomber, at breakfast time, in the dinning room of all places, of this Ritz Carlton.
Breakfast was when he always showed up first.
I have tried to contact him to no avail.
We pray that he and his loved ones are safe and well.
That my friends has put life into perspective for today.

Speedy Guto!

2009-07-17T17:04:00.004+01:00

Upon reflection, it's funny out of all the court cases that must be heard in the local magistrates court, the Weekly News hardly report any of the cases, speeding must be ten a penny, yet out of all these cases they pick on Guto's case to publish.
Was it a court official of member of the prosecution that tipped them off I wonder, I can hardly see a Weekly News reporter just happening to pop down and look at the days court cases to be heard.
If Guto had been some down at heal boy racer who had stolen a car, pleaded ignorance, I doubt he would have been fined so much, and more to the point had Guto been a dead beat in court, the chances are the court would never get the money in any case.
Funny old world.

A Pound For A Brew!!

2009-07-17T14:39:00.002+01:00

To the odd few without the knowledge to know better, what nicer way to make a living but to buy a nice hotel or guest house by the sea?
That's even before the friends and distant family think it would be nice to come and stay in the new business.
They are used to having a couple of family members staying, they are used to cooking dinner for a few people at times, it wont be much harder than that will it?
Oh you get plenty of time off in the day when the guests are out and about, and all that time off in the winter, maybe go away for a couple of holidays then.
Just like the notion of running a country pub is all beer and skittles, start thinking the opposite and you are starting to get near just how hard of a commitment it is running a hotel and guest house how they should be run.
Those who know no better rarely last more than a few seasons.
Below is an extract from a local hoteliers blog, it is all about a person who tried to save a pound on a cup of coffee.
I am pretty sure that the story must be true, for this blog is a factual one.
I can not believe some one would be so mean.

"On this occasion an old dear had decided not to pay the extortionate fee of £1 for coffee in the bar and had decided to bring down from her room a boiling kettle of water, a cup, a stolen tea bag, milk, sugar, and a packet of biscuits to make it herself,
however she missed the 3rd stair down and decided to fly the rest throwing boiling water and cups everywhere 9 hours and 10 stitches later she spent £35.00 in a taxi back from Glan Clwyd to get her full breakfast."
http://llandudnohotelliers.blogspot.com/2009/07/call-police.html

Question.

2009-07-17T13:53:00.002+01:00

Why would I have recieved a comment saying that Guto's agent and the Finch are not getting on at the moment?
Anything to do with his new blog?

Fixed Penalty.

2009-07-17T11:12:00.005+01:00

"Well Guto has made the press today, you did say he needed to raise his profile, what an excuse he has and to be frank if he lived in the constituancy, he would have known the limit.
No excuse for that speed!! "

To date I am thus so far lucky to have a clean driving license, I shall not gloat on Guto having been found guilty of speeding and having been fined £425.00.
What I will comment on though is that it is very strange that he pleaded guilty in his absence, his only excuse been that he thought the road had a 40 mph, it many years ago actually had a 60 mph along there, but that is another story.

I am guessing this only, but I think that the one and only reason he was fined so much was that he received a fixed penalty ticket, forgot for what ever reason to pay it, and then was taken to court.
I think we will find that had he paid it within 14 days, the fine would have only been £60.00.
Is he really that busy or is he just so inefficient that he did not pay his fine?
I worry about that mans judgement at times!
______________________________________________________________________

Guto in fairness has made a frank admission as to why it was a court case instead of a fixed penalty.
http://aberconwyconservatives.typepad.com/my-blog/2009/07/breaking-the-speed-limit.html

Comfort Breaks.

2009-07-17T11:04:00.002+01:00

Travelling to Tywyn last week, I found myself needing a comfort break, and in the middle of nowhere in a little place called Llwyngwril there was a sign pointing to public toilets, and the building may have looked a little old fashioned from the outside, but the toilets themselves were spotlessly clean, soap, clean wash hand basins and a credit to whichever council ran them.
Here in Conwy County we are having to rely on pot luck for the visitors to find an operational toilet, it really is a scandal that in busy towns in Conwy County, frequented by many elderly people who visit the area, and many are unable to find a toilet that is open at a time convenient to the people that need them.
When I looked up the name of this little village earlier, it was so small I could never remember having driven through there before as such, although I have many times the last 5 years, I came across a web site for the town of Tywyn, for those not familiar with the town, it is a very popular coastal town towards mid Wales, not as busy and does not have the attraction that we have in the town, but nevertheless they have have an up to date web site which is more than any town around here seems to have.
Llandudno town council does not even have an up t0 date web site.
Very strange in the year 2009 , when every man and his dog seems to refer to the Internet for information on where to go and what to do.
Llandudno and the county really need to catch on and catch on fast if it is to survive and prosper.

http://www.llwyngwril.org.uk/

http://www.tywyn-ctc.org.uk/

Competitive Tendering.

2009-07-17T08:21:00.000+01:00

Whether it is to drain the petrol tanks of police vehicles that have been filled up with the wrong fuel, to carting off seized vehicles , North Wales recovery has a very close working relationship with North Wales police.

Their recovery vehicles are on many occasions driven by ex police officers, so I wonder under what sort of competitive tendering process this valuable business was gained?

MI6 On The Case!

2009-07-17T08:19:00.000+01:00

I will not comment further, but I find it very alarming that people are going around scouting as to who Oscar is, then threatening people with allegations of them having recorded private conversations, I am pretty sure that it is illegal to record a conversation to start with, unless the parties concerned have been informed that they have been recorded.
Very subversive stuff going on.
This concerns a person who on one hand puts himself on a pedestal as being somewhat holier than though, and a local business person.
I have the full details, and they look genuine enough to me.
No more for now, as I do not wish to become embroiled in at all, but I myself have nothing to hide, as I have never dealt in lies, nor shall do.

Drip Drip.

2009-07-16T20:06:00.000+01:00

I have been home alone for the last few days, and earlier did some washing up, something I am not used to doing, as Mrs Oscar usually is in charge of the kitchen, and we are lucky enough to have a dish washer, I am sorry to say that I am not familiar with the use of this!
Now when you are on your own you think of some funny things, well I do!
I began to think how we all take water for granted in this country, I have this habit of letting the water run hot before I put the plug into the sink, not sure why I did that, I also then went on to think about how much water that I waste when I brush my teeth, in fact the list goes on and on.
I even on reflection realised how much water I must waste by letting the shower water warm up before I get into the shower.
Some time ago with the water bill we received a charity leaflet from "Water Aid" and it really is quite shocking how so many people have to live was so little water.
It is also quite amazing how much benefit a relatively small amount of money can make to peoples life's in such countries.
My goodness we are lucky to live the life's that we live in this country.

http://www.wateraid.org/uk/

Weekly News.

2009-07-16T19:48:00.001+01:00

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Serious Concerns.":

You have done it again Oscar.See page 9 of the Weekly News for the interview with the new Chief Exec you have been suggesting for several weeks.
It refreshing to see that the Weekly News are understanding that your postings are a reflection on what locals want to know about.
Keep it up and it won't be long before local Councillors/AMs/MPs start realising and acting on the same.
Publishthis comment. Reject this comment. Moderate comments for this blog. Posted by Anonymous to Thoughts of Oscar at 16 July 2009 19:11

War Of Words,Again!

2009-07-16T19:37:00.003+01:00

I have received a couple of e mails from a third party, instead of them being sent directly to me for some reason.
It concerns an offending word that had previously been left on this blog, relating to another local blog owner.
I have no wish to be involved in this spat between these people, and have removed the offending word.
It has been peaceful of late, lets keep it that way.

Serious Concerns.

2009-07-16T03:31:00.001+01:00

Guto has written a few posts on his blog, the latest being about the ARSEmbly.
Seeing as all the candidates aspire to become elected members of Westminster, I would very much like them all to voice their concerns about issues relating to Westminster powers as opposed to the ARSEmbly, for which they will have little or any influence over.
To date Guto is the only candidate to voice any such concerns.
If the ARSEmbly is causing the candidates so much concern, perhaps it is to that they should have stood.
At some stage I hope they all engage in some kind of grown up debate about matters of national concern, for that is where they aspire to sit, Westminster, not the ARSEmbly.

http://aberconwyconservatives.typepad.com/my-blog/2009/07/economical-with-the-truth.html

Venue Cymru.

2009-07-16T03:03:00.000+01:00

It transpires that a condition of the grant funding for the Arena and Conference extension to the Theatre was that the management of the Conference/Arena functions should have gone out to public tender (by Dec 06 !!).

A decision was made in March 2008 to include the Theatre with in this activity.

Yesterdays report was tabled today to reverse this and only issue a tender for the Conference/Arena. (why was nothing was done between March 08 and July 09!)

There was a lot of discussion, especially as the complex cost the council tax payer over £1M per year in subsidy, the car park taking up over 71.5 thousand pounds!

A lot of members by all accounts have felt that the whole complex could be put out to tender.

Council revenue over the next 3-4 years is going to be dramatically cut, they have some hard decisions to make on which services that are not "essential" should be cut, to match the decreased revenue.

Surely this is something that a Professional Company could take on (as long as proper Service Level Agreements where put in place).

The view being put across by the Chief Executive was that the Theatre was a Service for the community and as such this service would cost the council funds to continue in this light.

The Chief Executive recommended that only the Conference/Arena was put forward and this was agreed by a vote of 4-2 { I do not know which way the leader voted. I think he tends not to vote unless there is a draw, so I am told.}

It was suggested that if they were having to pay for another consultant to help with this tendering, why not look at the option of including the Theatre and seeing what interest is shown. Once the tenders where in then the final decision could be made then.

This would not cost much more and at least we would have more information. This was dismissed instantly.

The Council itself could and will bid for the tender.

Which raises interesting points on how this will be managed transparently.

Will the decision will be called in by back benchers?

We will have to wait and see!

One for the prospective parliamentary candidates perhaps?

http://modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/Published/C00000171/M00001654/$$Supp2613dDocPackPublic.pdf

First Class Travel For All.

2009-07-15T13:59:00.000+01:00

How is it that her lackey travels first class with her on the train, when Parliamentary staff are only supposed to receive second class travel?
I wonder how she and her friends feel today, knowing that the next time they all meet at prime ministers question time will in in October.
Not a bad life eh, for unlike others she is not known for doing much in her constituency is she?

They Need To First Find a Brain In The ARSEmbly.

2009-07-15T11:11:00.004+01:00

Hospital's brain doctor shortage

"Crisis talks are being held over a shortage of doctors in the neurosurgery department of one of Wales' busiest hospitals.
Trust bosses have said Morriston Hospital in Swansea only has three middle-grade doctors instead of seven due to a recruitment shortage.
It is seeking to pool resources with University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff until more staff can be found.
Swansea's Singleton Hospital has closed children's wards for the same reason."

To think that the ARSEs in the ARSEmbly were even thinking of stopping us here in North wales being able to avail ourselves of the excellent facilities over the "border" in England beggars believe when this sort of news emerges.
How thick are they down in Cardiff?
Where might we be now only for the intervention of the grown ups down in Westminster?
It hardly bears thinking about.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8150425.stm

Big Brother.

2009-07-15T09:07:00.000+01:00

Above is a piece regarding North Wales Police and their intention to purchase video cameras to be attached to officers and to aid them in gathering evidence, I am sure that will work both ways, especially if it records sound, as in the officers use some ripe expressions as well as the offenders.

Above is a camera car that was operating where I was staying recently, if you look carefully you can see the revolving camera on the roof of the car, this was purported to be a traffic enforcement car, how soon before these become regular sights, not just for traffic enforcement but for all manners of surveillance?

The time the photograph was taken was 11.15 pm.

It rather begs the question, was it needed?

Here in North Wales we have already had police hiding in a horse box, we even had a mad man dressed as a Chief Constable advocating the legalisation of hard drugs, what next?

Lord and Lady Hair.

2009-07-14T21:11:00.006+01:00

d L

There's always next time Ronnie!
He looks as though he has found a shiiling and lost a pound in this photo.

And the quote of the month is,

I have absolute faith in Ronnie's ability.
With the retirement of Betty Williams, Aberconwy needs to stay away from the party-politics and vote for the best person for the job as MP of our area.
Ronnie is that person.
Adam Mason
President, Keele University Students' Union

If party politics has even the slightest influence Adam, Ronnie track suit won't stand a cat in hells chance!

http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=79840933330&view=all

Alpine 1 Arriva 0.

2009-07-14T14:35:00.000+01:00

Think I will Pass!

2009-07-14T14:20:00.000+01:00

Spotted earlier on the wall of a local chippy, Ronnie "track suit" man of the people!
I think he may be making claims too far him,
" Actions speak louder than words"
" I am a politician who believes in action"

Exactly Ronnie, that is the problem, we have seen precious little from Betty, or your lot on Conwy Council!