Mark Jasper is standing as an independent candidate in the Critchmere ward in the Haslemere town council election on 7th May 2015.
Here is the text of his letter that appeared in the Haslemere Herald this week.
Mark Jasper
I have grown increasingly frustrated at the way the views of Haslemere residents have become muffled by the presence of party politics on Haslemere Town Council.
This reality was perfectly demonstrated at a public meeting regarding the proposed Sturt Farm development. A large number of residents attended the meeting at Haslemere Hall, many spoke passionately, to raise legitimate concerns about the scale of the development, the impact such a development would have on local infrastructure and the environment. It was also an opportunity to hear the views of our town councillors, a number of whom ‘wear two hats’ as elected representatives of Waverley Borough council, the planning authority.
What residents witnessed was a heavily choreographed performance befitting the surroundings. The meeting concluded with a series of pre-prepared statements, which amounted to silence from the town council on the biggest single development proposed in Haslemere for a generation.
Haslemere deserves a voice, the voice of its residents. The town council must listen, genuinely and openly engage with residents and respond to their concerns, free of wider political influences.
The town council is not a place for party politics. It must support residents, business, community groups and be a strong vocal champion of its health and transport infrastructure.
I intend to stand as an independent candidate for the Critchmere ward at the forthcoming town council election. I will be joining other independent candidates in a loose alliance of similarly minded individuals, focussed on removing the politics and openly, transparently and firmly putting Haslemere first. I urge readers to cast aside national voting intentions, and at this very local level vote for your independent candidate.
Follow Mark on twitter, @VoteMarkJasper