New Portobello High School - PPAG/"Save Porty Park"

[portygeoff]

[seanie]

The most frustrating thing is that they've left it till now. The park was chosen as the preferred site in 2006. If PPAG are arguing that the school can't go there because of the Common Good issue, they could've have challenged that decision at any point since then. They've had the best part of 5 years to do so but have waited until just before contracts were to be signed for construction to start. And even after all that time they still haven't actually raised the money to see a court action through. They've managed to cause this delay without any actual certainty that a legal action will proceed.

[Charlie Cavaye]

[Porty]

[seanie]

I would think so. Court proceedings have been initiated so the Council have to go through the process anyway and there's no critical reason to proceed at risk, even if that risk is very small.

A new school is a 'necessary'. A new school by August 2013 instead of January 2014 is a 'nice to have'.

[Porty]

I guess that makes total sense.

[rmolehusband]

[seanie]

It was put on the PPAG Facebook site yesterday but the post seems to have gone.

[rmolehusband]

[Porty]

I know SA got a few email complaints about the race. There's mention on the PHS facebook site.

SA wrote back and said "they" had got a permit for the race and therefore SA were happy to support it. I don't know who "they" have said they are? If Sheila Coventry (who is the advertised contact) had used an affiliation with SA to avoid the £50 and had not said it was PPAG, that would fit with removing the Ad from the PPAG facebook site.

It is a f****** sad state of affairs when a campaign group are so corrupt they cannot advertise fundraising events on facebook.

[seanie]

[Porty]

[rmolehusband]

[Porty]

[Pal of Porty]

Here is part of Ros's statement

Ros Sutherland, chair of PPAG, said: ......."At this point I couldn't comment (on whether the entry fee will go towards the legal costs] because I don't know how many people have entered. "I haven't totalled the cost in terms of our expenditure so I'm not in a position to comment on that because I have no idea how many people have entered or what is our outlay."

What on earth does it matter if only 1 person or 500 poeple enter - the event is either a fund raiser or a profile event. Seems like she claims it it only a fund raiser if it makes a profit or a profile event if it does not!

White woman speak with forked tongue.

[rmolehusband]

[seanie]

Not surprised it's back.

Difficult to square the 'awareness-raising event' line with the absence of publicity on their web-site, blog and facebook page.

[seanie]

And look, the entry fee necessary to cover costs has now magically disappeared.

They're now running a fund-losing event.

[Bob Jefferson]

I'm not a runner but the prospect of running 5k round a muddy park in the dark while dodging the dog poo and paying £5 for the privilege doesn't do much for me.

[Mark Cameron]

Perhaps those in favour of the new school could participate in the run now there appears to be no entry fee. Might be a little embarrassing to PPAG if there is overwhelming support for the development at their awareness event.

[seanie]

But they've ditched the entry fee and are still offering prizes. You might only be running against the PPAG fundraising committee.

You'd be in with a shout.

[Mark Cameron]

You've obviously never witnessed me running! However there'd be a satisfaction in seeing prizes go to a school supporter.

[Porty]

I'm baffled. As Seanie says; a fund raiser has now become a fund loser. And no way PPAG are holding an event to raise awareness of the park. They are forever telling us the place is "much loved by everyone". How can people love something they are unaware of.

I'm also mindful of the recent statement by "Save Porty Park". You know the on about how the council couldn't hold a piss up in a beer manufacturing facility? What about the ten strong PPAG fundraising committee who can't stage a fundraiser in a "well used "park.

[seanie]

[Porty]

Publishing accounts would maybe help differentiate PPAG from say; Nigerian con men who seek to extract money from poorly informed individuals, on a fraudulent basis.

Its a big maybe.

[Bob Jefferson]

With 665 votes cast so far on the EN poll, the PPAG vote stands at just 17%. No doubt they will claim that it has been rigged and will continue with their ridiculous claim that they represent the significant majority of the community.

More concerning is the fact that PPAG supporters have been abusing the Comment section attached to the poll. In particular, Sean and I have been subjected to a tirade of insults and jibes, stories have been completely fabricated and someone has made abusive posts pretending to be Sean. Personally, I couldn't care less what people say about me. I've come to realise over the years that if you are prepared to stick your head over the parapet then you can expect to be shot at. But it does demonstrate the mentality of some PPAG supporters. I do not intend to complain to the EN about these posts. I don't want them removed. I want people to see for themselves what we are up against.

[Bob Jefferson]

[Porty]

On balance, this is very good news.

Sorry to hear about the abuse of Bob and Sean, PPAG are a small bunch of desperadoes.

[Porty]

[wangi]

[Porty]

All sounds reasonable. Reads like the project may be delivered at £5M less than budget, is my understanding correct?

[seanie]

[Charlie]

Not commented on the school yet, but feels like things are not harmonious in Portobello. Thinking ahead - will need to be some kind of community bridge building exercise when the school gets built (not talking about the Forth crossing, which may finish before the school).

Perhaps some joint statement from both sides. We the undersigned:

1) lament deeply the loss of any green space in the local area, but alas the park is the ideal place for a new school.
2) understand that while the loss of the park is deeply upsetting, it was in fact a giant dog toilet
3) will undertake a group hug and celebrate the new facility
4) will prepare, together, for Portobello Against Any Other (Frikin) Park Becoming (more of) a Dog Toilet

Too early?

[Porty]

Charlie that's funny!!

Up until now theres been no split Community here in Portobello, it is a myth.

There has been a long running conflict between two opposing groups. And some on both sides really don't like how some of the opposition have gone about their business. However, the Community is largely unaware of what its been like in the clinches.

The conflict has involved less than a couple of dozen people, one side has been totally anonymous since 2007. How could so few split a community that is overwhelming disinterested in the subject of conflict. Widespread apathy has been a frustration for both sides when trying to galvanise support for their particular cause.

As for reconcilliation and peace? I am supremely confident the PPAG legal challenge will fall, if not at the first hurdle, very shortly thereafter. The Council have said they will try and enter into dialogue with the group and/or bring the case forward to secure an early decision. We will see how that goes.

For my part, as one of the leading protagonists for a school in the park. I'd happily do the 5k run, holding hands, with a few of my opposite number, were they gracious enough to cease the petition. Not because I fear the outcome, I'm sure the School is getting built. It would be great if PPAG bowed out and let the kids start their year in a new school AND give the other Wave 3 schools the best chance of benifitting from the £5M saving.

I have no mandate to speak for my fellow combatants but I hope they feel the same way.

[Mark Cameron]

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