From Chris Whitworth.
HAVING attended the recent Town Hall Waterfront meeting organised by election candidate Gino Risoli, I am now even more convinced that what our government want and what the public want for the area are miles apart.

Not surprisingly, the meeting revealed just how many people distrust the decisions made by the Council of Ministers and their role within ministerial government.

Just as with Senator Cohen’s Hopkins Plan meeting months earlier, the concept of huge office blocks on the Waterfront found little favour with those present. In fact, with more and more automation, not to mention the huge economical and environmental benefits of employing staff working from home (which these days can be anywhere in the world), it became hard to see how enough companies could justify a move to such a centre.

With the credit crunch and the fact that Jersey is becoming an expensive place to do business, now is not a good time to be building enormous office blocks for an industry which may not be around in its present capacity for much longer.

Besides, even if a sudden influx of large finance companies and staff were about to descend upon us, why build such an eyesore of a development in such a prominent location? Surely something on this scale would be better off hidden away, not put in the Island’s front window like some kind of monument to pay homage to. And what use are massive projects to our local builders?

It seems that these days, all you need is a plan drawn up by a renowned architect; no matter how ugly the plan is and as long as it is far too big for a traditional Jersey company to undertake, it will be passed with flying colours.

This used to be a public beach, which has made the States money through tipping charges, therefore giving it back to the people in the form of open parkland with a few small developments would not be a sin.

Quite frankly, I agreed with most of what was said at the meeting and would endorse the fact that our ministers have lost the plot – and I’m not only talking Waterfront.

I do not know of even one person who is not criticising them for one thing or another. We need ministers who can show real leadership, not this reckless bunch, many of whom were elected to the pre-ministerial system.

They did not show courage and leadership three years ago when they were asked to stand again, and they are definitely not showing leadership now, constantly wriggling and worming out of things for which they are ultimately responsible.

They are a disgrace and must be removed from these powerful positions, for which they are clearly unsuited and incapable.
Evanston,
Green Street,
St Helier.