Wiltshire Councils decision to shut down the Purton and Lower Compton recycling centres has really got people talking, and not alwasy in a good way. Honestly, I think closing them is a terrible idea, and I’m just as frustrated and angry as everyone else. But here’s the thing, no matter how angry we get, there’s just no excuse for threats or abuse.
Unfortunately, not everyone agrees. One man in his sixties, from Calne, decided the best way to vent his frustration was to send a threatening letter to the leader of Wiltshire Council. Not just a rant, actual threats to the councillor and his family. That’s just not on. There is no justification for that kind of behaviour, ever!
To make matters worse, some local online news reports have been pointing the finger at Cllr Thorne, as if the whole thing was his decision and his alone. Yes he is the leader of the council, but he has no more power as an individual as any other councillor. It is fact that no single councillor can make such a decision, by law it must be a decision that is debated (not always in public), proposed, seconded then agreed by majority vote. So, by singling out Cllr Thorn individually was not only misleading, but probably helped incite the person who sent that letter.
As for the guy who sent the threats. He is an idiot, but he’s lucky, really. The police got involved, but it was sorted out with a community resolution instead of an arrest and charges. That means he won’t be named (unless he outs himself), and he avoids a criminal record unless he breaks the terms of the resolution or carries out a similar offence. That’s very important, especially if he’s still working or looking for a job.
When I was a councillor, I copped a fair bit of abuse myself from a few individuals. Most of the time, I could brush it off, but in the end, I also had to get the police involved, with a similar outcome. But juggling being a councillor who was not paid, with also having a full-time job and caring for an elderly relative was just too much. In the end, I desided to resign.
So yes we can all agree or disagree, on decisions being made, we can even say so in public. I myself often say that Wiltshire Council seems to have a “Cant Do, Wont Do” culture, as opposed to finding ways of doing something, but this is no excuse for getting personal and being abusive. This is the United Kingdom, not Trumps America!