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Mayor attacks press over lack of support
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| CHOSEN: Mayor Mike Varney with deputy mayor John Body at mayor making on Monday night Picture: EMMA GOODFELLOW |
Falmouth mayor Mike Varney launched an unprecedented attack on the local press on Monday evening as he looked to the future for another 12 months as civic leader.
Mr Varney, who has received considerable publicity during his first term as mayor, called for greater support from local newspapers during his speech at Monday's mayor-making.
After being unanimously re-elected as mayor by his fellow councillors, Mr Varney appealed for more supportive coverage of the town's successes.
Speaking to the Packet after the meeting Mr Varney, who is no stranger to publicity having been involved in a pre-general election row within the local Conservative branch a few years ago which received international headlines, said he did not like negativity.
"There's a lot of positive things out there. We have got such wonderful enthusiasm going right through the town and it would be nice if the press would report some of that in a bigger and better way.
"All we ask for is a bit more integration with the press and not so much negativity. I do think the media has got a phenomenal role to play in this."
Packet editor Paul Armstrong dismissed Mr Varney's attack on the press, saying that local newspapers reflected the concerns of everybody in the community and was not just a mouthpiece for the town council.
"Every week we report positive stories in the community and the incredible achievements of the people of Falmouth and Penryn," he said.
Monday evening's ceremony began with the assembled dignitaries - including Falmouth police inspector John Trott, Helston mayor Ronnie Williams and the chairmen of both Carrick and Kerrier district councils - singing "happy birthday" to Mr Varney who was celebrating his 55th birthday.
John Body was unanimously elected as deputy mayor, replacing councillor Gerald Chin-Quee who did not seek re-electon.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Varney spoke of the "partnership" within the town that was moving Falmouth forward. "The response from people out there is phenomenal," he said.
He thanked his partner and consort, Ann Trudgen, for always being at his side and being a "wonderful ambassador" for the town. Both had carried out more than 200 civic functions during the year.
He also thanked the council staff, in particular his assistant Emily Middleditch who he described as a "fantastic inspiration", and all the council's partners.
"This is not a one man Mike Varney show. I'm here as the figurehead but I cannot do it unless I've got the support of the council and all our partners out there. This is the Falmouth town show, for the people, and it's going to be led by this town council," he added.
"There is a buzz out there in the town," he added. The university and work at Falmouth Docks had meant a lot to the town, but now that had to be enhanced.
Much had been achieved over the past 12 months but there was more to do. "By working together there is no problem we cannot overcome. Let's work together and let's enjoy it."
9:32am Wednesday 14th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Pighead, Falmouth on 12:17pm Wed 14 May 08
What more does he want the papers to do? A Varney centrefold?
What more does he want the papers to do? A Varney centrefold?
Posted by: Conservative, Falmouth on 1:09pm Wed 14 May 08
Perhaps if, like in London, the mayor was voted in, people may want to hear more on it, but not really when someone is literally 'given' the job.
I'd like an application form for next year to be in the race for mayor.
Perhaps if, like in London, the mayor was voted in, people may want to hear more on it, but not really when someone is literally 'given' the job.
I'd like an application form for next year to be in the race for mayor.
Posted by: Sammy Smith on 1:17pm Wed 14 May 08
Mayor Varney, I thought the Packet has been wonderful to you during your Office. Its the conservatives who will shaft you because you are so popular, since they kicked you and dozens of others out of the Party. Keep at it Boyo and keep the Packet on your side.
Don't led the Tories get you down by ignoring you as an Independent, especially as you will be ignored with the Tall ships coming up. As I have said this Tall Ships lark is just one big "Conservative juncket" to promote their own candidate.
Mayor Varney, I thought the Packet has been wonderful to you during your Office. Its the conservatives who will shaft you because you are so popular, since they kicked you and dozens of others out of the Party. Keep at it Boyo and keep the Packet on your side.
Don't led the Tories get you down by ignoring you as an Independent, especially as you will be ignored with the Tall ships coming up. As I have said this Tall Ships lark is just one big "Conservative juncket" to promote their own candidate.
Posted by: Earl of Leicester, UK on 1:55pm Wed 14 May 08
Things dont change, bloody Reg trying to control everything in Falmouth! He is just annoyed that he cant tell the fantastic journalists at the Packet what they should write about. Good on you Paul for telling him where to stick it!
Things dont change, bloody Reg trying to control everything in Falmouth! He is just annoyed that he cant tell the fantastic journalists at the Packet what they should write about. Good on you Paul for telling him where to stick it!
Posted by: Sammy Smith on 2:06pm Wed 14 May 08
I disagree with you Earl of Leicester. Michael Varney is the best Mayor we have had in the last 50 Years. I still think this is a conservative "get at" the popular ( former conservative)Indepen
dent Mayor.
I disagree with you Earl of Leicester. Michael Varney is the best Mayor we have had in the last 50 Years. I still think this is a conservative "get at" the popular ( former conservative)Indepen
dent Mayor.
Posted by: kreacher.x, tuckingmill on 12:14am Thu 15 May 08
Just reading this makes me sick! a mayor not elected but "voted" in by his sychopants demanding that the local media attend to him.............. pah!
shades of mugabe methinks!!
Just reading this makes me sick! a mayor not elected but "voted" in by his sychopants demanding that the local media attend to him.............. pah!
shades of mugabe methinks!!
Posted by: Sammy Smith on 7:53am Thu 15 May 08
I hope the popular Falmouth Mayor, Mike Varney stands for Parliament at the next election as everyone expects. He will then get the VOTE. There are hundreds of former conservatives in the constituency, who either were kicked out by the local party, or left in disgust, who will work for him along with some of the best political administrative brains
I hope the popular Falmouth Mayor, Mike Varney stands for Parliament at the next election as everyone expects. He will then get the VOTE. There are hundreds of former conservatives in the constituency, who either were kicked out by the local party, or left in disgust, who will work for him along with some of the best political administrative brains
Posted by: Mr Tiddles, Falmouth on 9:29am Thu 15 May 08
The mayor and his chum next to him in the photo above both look visually inept...
The mayor and his chum next to him in the photo above both look visually inept...
Posted by: VoyeurTastic, the other side of the bioculars on 3:25pm Thu 15 May 08
Low rent politicians for what is becoming a low rent town for slacker students and adult wasters.
The photo op just makes me think of The butcher the baker the candle stick maker. A glow with self importance in an irrelevant position.
Low rent politicians for what is becoming a low rent town for slacker students and adult wasters.
The photo op just makes me think of The butcher the baker the candle stick maker. A glow with self importance in an irrelevant position.
Posted by: Tigger on 8:04pm Thu 15 May 08
The Conservatives dont like our Mayor do they, evident by their toxic attacks against him. Their disguise is very poor.
The Conservatives dont like our Mayor do they, evident by their toxic attacks against him. Their disguise is very poor.
Posted by: DAVE on 8:11pm Thu 15 May 08
Hope you stand as our MP Mike. The Tories kicked you out on trumped up charges, now sock it to them. The Packet is your friend as you are on page 3 every week.
The tories will not win with these smears.
Hope you stand as our MP Mike. The Tories kicked you out on trumped up charges, now sock it to them. The Packet is your friend as you are on page 3 every week.
The tories will not win with these smears.
Posted by: Martin Orders, Falmouth on 8:53pm Fri 16 May 08
Mike works extremely hard for Falmouth and its residents, if any of think you could do a better job put your time and your money up, or shut up.
@VoyeurTastic what have you ever done for this town?
Mike works extremely hard for Falmouth and its residents, if any of think you could do a better job put your time and your money up, or shut up.
@VoyeurTastic what have you ever done for this town?
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