GeneChing
08-20-2009, 09:50 AM
I had to read this article several times. I'm still trying to fathom it.
Wrexham Council leader slammed over ‘sub-region’ plan (http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/77436/wrexham-council-leader-slammed-over-sub-region-plan.aspx)
Published date: 20 August 2009 | Published by: Phil Robinson
THE leader of the People’s Council of North Wales (PCNW) says he is disappointed at the ‘aggressive’ attitude of Wrexham Council leader Aled Roberts to the petition to stop the West Cheshire sub-regional strategy.
Responding to news of the 8,000 signature petition earlier this week, Cllr Roberts accused those who supported it of having ‘extremist views’.
But PCNW leader Pol Wong, a 33rd generation shaolin monk, said: “Through the Deffro’r Ddraig campaign we have been trying to bring about genuine engagement, communication and discussion with the people of North Wales about this plan.
“The petition is about bringing those views to the Welsh Assembly and our local councils, our aim is simply to request that our leaders listen to the concerns expressed by local people and take them on board.
“Having studied this plan for a number of years I am extremely concerned about the fact that it acknowledges it will damage Welsh identity, language and also the environment.
“As a welsh speaker and a local person I am also very worried about the fact that this massive plan, which has created a new sub-region has been adopted without any consultation with local people.”
He added: “I am saddened by the response of Aled Roberts to the petition and struggle to understand his aggressive reaction.
“My masters have taught me that to be a true leader, you must truly represent and feel for your people. Yet, Aled Roberts chooses to insult and belittle us.
“I think it reflects that Aled is very uncomfortable with his involvement in this affair, so much so that he would rather try to blacken my name and the 8,000 people (so far) who have expressed the same concerns about these plans, rather than talk openly about them.”
Mr Wong added: “I will be contacting my masters in Shaolin Temple for guidance in this matter, as despite my intensive training I have never come across such a level of defensiveness and fear, especially from a leader.
“At the end of the day, we only want to discuss the council’s plans concerning the formation of a new sub-region between North East Wales and the North West of England, which for some reason have never been spoken about openly.
“We have many supporterswho have serious concerns about our communities, our environment and our identity.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate that the leader of our council slanders and accuses them of being extremists.
“Extremists are aggressive, sometimes violent people who do not engage in the democratic process. We are none of these things.”
Details of the petition can be found at www.RightToBeWelsh.com
Wrexham Council leader slammed over ‘sub-region’ plan (http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/77436/wrexham-council-leader-slammed-over-sub-region-plan.aspx)
Published date: 20 August 2009 | Published by: Phil Robinson
THE leader of the People’s Council of North Wales (PCNW) says he is disappointed at the ‘aggressive’ attitude of Wrexham Council leader Aled Roberts to the petition to stop the West Cheshire sub-regional strategy.
Responding to news of the 8,000 signature petition earlier this week, Cllr Roberts accused those who supported it of having ‘extremist views’.
But PCNW leader Pol Wong, a 33rd generation shaolin monk, said: “Through the Deffro’r Ddraig campaign we have been trying to bring about genuine engagement, communication and discussion with the people of North Wales about this plan.
“The petition is about bringing those views to the Welsh Assembly and our local councils, our aim is simply to request that our leaders listen to the concerns expressed by local people and take them on board.
“Having studied this plan for a number of years I am extremely concerned about the fact that it acknowledges it will damage Welsh identity, language and also the environment.
“As a welsh speaker and a local person I am also very worried about the fact that this massive plan, which has created a new sub-region has been adopted without any consultation with local people.”
He added: “I am saddened by the response of Aled Roberts to the petition and struggle to understand his aggressive reaction.
“My masters have taught me that to be a true leader, you must truly represent and feel for your people. Yet, Aled Roberts chooses to insult and belittle us.
“I think it reflects that Aled is very uncomfortable with his involvement in this affair, so much so that he would rather try to blacken my name and the 8,000 people (so far) who have expressed the same concerns about these plans, rather than talk openly about them.”
Mr Wong added: “I will be contacting my masters in Shaolin Temple for guidance in this matter, as despite my intensive training I have never come across such a level of defensiveness and fear, especially from a leader.
“At the end of the day, we only want to discuss the council’s plans concerning the formation of a new sub-region between North East Wales and the North West of England, which for some reason have never been spoken about openly.
“We have many supporterswho have serious concerns about our communities, our environment and our identity.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate that the leader of our council slanders and accuses them of being extremists.
“Extremists are aggressive, sometimes violent people who do not engage in the democratic process. We are none of these things.”
Details of the petition can be found at www.RightToBeWelsh.com