Dear Residents,
The recent publication of the KM Folkestone & Hythe featured, on page I and 2, an article put out by Councillor Monk stating events from his perspective of just how the public meeting at Hythe Bay School, 12th September, ran its course when some 300 people turned up to hear how Otterpool New Town would affect the Residents of Hythe.
According to the article, Councillor Monk said " Someone even shouted out calling me a liar. I'm not a liar, and I went there in good faith".
"I'm not a liar"
We have strong evidence to show that that statement from Councillor Monk could be incorrect.
Our own independent research has shown that Councillor Monk did tell a great untruth on Radio Kent last year. Thanks to the honesty and transparency of Monks Horton Parish Councillor Les Barratt, details of (what we are calling) the Great Untruth, have been disclosed to the S&DRA team.
Please take the time to read the following thread of emails. (It should be noted that this is not the email thread in its entirety, but relates to the most pertinent points). It only confirms what we have already stated; Councillor Monk is not fit to hold Public Office of any kind.
12th August 2106.
Dear Councillor Monk,
My name is Leslie Barratt. I am Vice Chairman of Monks Horton Parish Meeting and reflect the views of Monks Horton residents on all issues. The issue in question here is the Shepway District Councils' proposal to build a new town of 12,000 dwellings in and around the villages of Westenhanger, Lympne, Newingreen and Sellindge.
You will recall that you invited me along with our Parish Chairman to attend a 'Parish Councillors meeting' on the 7th June 2016. You will also recall the general negative response that you received from all 27 Parish Councillors in attendance towards the development of a New Town which you are calling 'Otterpool Park'.
At that meeting I listened intently to all comments from across the chamber and finally raised my hand to speak. I politely asked if, through the chair, we could have a show of hands of how many Parish Councillors thought it would be a good idea to build a Garden Town as proposed by your Council. You flatly refused. I asked again. You flatly refused. You then raised your voice as if to dismiss my request. My initial thought was 'where is the democracy here'? I then raised my voice and put the question to the 27 Parish Councillors in the chamber: 'Can we have a show of hands please: Who here, thinks it's a good idea to build a New Town in Otterpool'.Not one hand was raised. I recall you remained vocal after the vote was taken. You certainly appeared disgruntled.
I now refer to your recent interview on the 8th August alongside David Plumstead on Radio Kent.
I was astonished to hear you refer to me as an 'anti campaigner' whatever that is? To be honest, you sounded somewhat muddled: I believe you meant to say that I was a campaigner. If that is what you meant, then you are quite correct; I do campaign for the people of Monks Horton. As a democratically elected Parish Councillor, I campaign on their behalf, as do the other democratically elected Parish Councillors that were present.
You then stated, on BBC radio, that I asked the 27 Parish Councillors at the 7th June meeting 'Who is against the proposal' (to build a new town).
I believe that when you said 'Who is against the proposal' on Radio Kent, you knew it to be untrue. You deliberately misled the people of Shepway, using a BBC radio station to broadcast that across Kent.
In an effort to deceive the electorate into thinking that there is a high level support for the proposed OtterpoolTown you have only confirmed to the listeners that you are not fit to hold any position of public office. Moreover, your plea for residents to contact you is disingenuous. We have evidence that you never returned your calls or emails to those that have tried to contact you.
Mr. Monk; from conversations I have had with residents over the years, it is clear that your standing in the district could at best be described as 'waning'. From the conversations I have had with residents in the past four days I am sure that there would be thousands of Shepway residents requesting that you now consider your position.
I look forward to your reply at your earliest convenience.
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Dear Mr. Monk,
It has been six days since I sent my email to you. Please inform me when I can expect a reply.
Leslie Barratt
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You and I are not going to agree, I see little point in continuing this conversation.
Kind Regards
Councillor David Monk
Leader of the Council
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| 29th August. 2016 | | ||
Dear Councillor Monk,
Thank you for your email of the 18th August.
Although your response is dismissive, I feel that a response is needed to clarify my position along with the parishioners that I represent.
You have taken a position which I find somewhat baffling. You state that we are not going to agree when there is nothing to agree on. A clear statement was made by me on the 7th June at the Civic Centre when you did your utmost to silence me.
You clearly heard what I said and you saw the response from 27 Parish Councillors. You then told an untruth on BBC radio knowing full well that it was inaccurate in a feeble attempt to extinguish total dissent for a proposed new town.
This is not the conduct that we would expect from a District Council leader and certainly not a servant of the people of Shepway.
Given the seriousness of your conduct, I would expect a full apology to be made, not only to Mr. Plumstead and me, but also to the people of Kent,
Please arrange for your apology to be made, on air, via the BBC stating that you was incorrect in a statement previously made. Please make it very clear that the fact of the matter is: 27 Parish Councillors present at the said meeting showed absolutely no support for the development of a new town that you and your council are calling Otterpool Park.
A speedy reply would be appreciated.
Regards,
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4th September 2016
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Dear Councillor Monk,
Once again, it's been 6 days since I emailed you. When can I expect a reply?
Regards,
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6th September 2016.
To confirm that you and I are not going to agree on this matter, therefore, I see little point in continuing this conversation.
Kind Regards
Councillor David Monk
Leader of the Council
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We will leave it you, the Residents of Shepway, to decide on whether Councillor Monk is a liar or not, or whether he is fit to hold Public Office.
S&DRA
