Supporting recycling, Andrew Maric

“I recently received a policy refresh from the Conservative Milton Keynes Council which made some suspicious statements and made me wonder if the Conservatives may start to charge you for the luxury of recycling pink sacks in Milton Keynes, it certainly doesn’t rule it out!?

It stated the following changes to the policy:
“Contribute towards the budgetary savings required, reviewing the charges for services which, to date have been provided free of charge, but where there is flexibility for local authorities to introduce charging. (S)”

Also on the back under ‘Actions for 2011-2013 are’

“…improve income and improve efficiency, including charges for services where there is the flexibility to do so…”

It not only would be political suicide for the MK Conservatives to introduce charges but absolutely outrageous to you and me as bog standard tax payers.

Maybe the Conservatives should cut back on internal red tape and senior directors before thinking about short cuts to savings by charging people money they simply cannot afford. I don’t support the plans for introducing charges for bulky waste removal either, its not only stupid but will put areas on a backwards spiral to more bulky waste being ditched on the side of the road. It’s just not worth the money they think they can generate from it. Sure its fine if you are affluent enough to afford the money, but if you barely break even each month and struggle to put food on the table, what are you going to do? Put food on the table for children and family or pay another stealth tax out of your wallet to collect your broken washing machine, which should already be covered in your taxes anyway!

In any event, this change in policy wording doesn’t protect the Newport Pagnell taxpayer in any way from future charging, if anything it opens a dangerous door for the future.”

Grit bin

Grit bins in Newport Pagnell and Milton Keynes are at risk of being taken back by the Conservative run Milton Keynes Council.

Grit bins which are already extreemely scarce in Newport Pagnell, are at risk of being ‘relocated’ to other areas of Milton Keynes.

Andy Maric said: “Residents, Groups and the Lib Dem Focus team have fought hard over the years to get what we can from the Council, and we had a plan and a promise of many more ready for the forthcoming winter. Since Lib Dems lost control of the Council, that plan has been scrapped and they now want to do the opposite and take what we already have away to put elsewhere.

Obviously what is currently in place exists for a good reason, or it wouldn’t have been there to start with, taking them away is just insulting and clearly playing silly political games. What the Conservatives really need to think about it will it be amusing when someone falls over and breaks bones because there was no grit bins to grit icy roads in Newport Pagnell, I think not, but they clearly want to learn the hard way…

We are going to work hard to defend our Grit bins in Newport Pagnell and continue to ask for and fight for more where they are needed. We would welcome your views.”

Please get in touch or reply to this news release with any suggestions you may have.

The incident happened at Ruskin Court, a complex for elderly residents, in the Green Park Estate. Cllr Andy Maric, who was on the scene, said “There was a great turn out by the local community who called the emergency services and started to tackle the fire before they arrived”.

The fire is being treated as suspicious and caused by furniture being set alight. Cllr Andy Maric says “I would like to remind people that Lib Dem run Milton Keynes Council offers a free collection service for unwanted furniture, white goods and bulky items. Simply call the Council Environmental Helpline on 01908 252570 or visit the Council’s website”.

Did you know? Andy Maric is a governor at Tickford Park School

The Liberal Democrat Council has done a lot to improve Newport’s school buildings, and raise educational standards across the Borough.

School governor Andy Maric says: “Thanks to staff, governors, parents and the Council, Newport children enjoy excellent schools”.

Andy successfully campaigned to get goalposts put up in two of Newport's green spaces, and a third is on its way

A vote for the Liberal Democrats in the elections for Milton Keynes Council on 6th May is a vote for The Network team’s record of all-year-round service and action.

A vote for Andy Maric is a vote for:

• A local councillor who is regularly available to deal with problems and complaints

• A local councillor who keeps you informed and seeks your views through regular newsletters – The Network

• A local councillor who speaks up strongly for all local people

• A local councillor who fights all year round to get things done for Newport Pagnell.

Andy Maric has lived in Newport Pagnell all his life. He attended Green Park and Ousedale schools. He works for Volkswagen in Blakelands.

He is a governor of Tickford Park school.

He is an active and hard-working member of The Network team, campaigning on issues that affect our town.

Pictured right: Following requests from young people, Andy successfully campaigned to get goalposts put up in two of Newport’s green spaces, and a third is on the way.

Things to remember:

• The Network team have helped thousands of residents over the years.
• Liberal Democrats have kept council tax well below the national average.
• Labour cannot win in Newport.
• The Conservative candidate lives in Blue Bridge, not locally like Andy Maric!
• The Labour candidate lives in Fishermead, not locally like Andy Maric!

Euan Henderson & Andy Maric at Green Park School where Andy was once a pupil

57 years of service between Councillors Euan and Irene Henderson, who anounce that they are not standing for re-election on May 6th and are retiring from Milton Keynes Council after over half a century between them of representing Newport Pagnell.

Councillors Euan and Irene Henderson say “In Andy Maric, we have a committed Newport resident who wants to serve the town, he is an experienced member of the Network team, working hard alongside Douglas McCall and Mike Barry in the traditional Liberal Democrat way – giving action and service all year round.

We have no hessitation in giving them our wholehearted support. We hope you will too.

We thank you for the confidence and trust you have shown in us. Please give Andy the same trust and vote for him in the local elections on 6th May 2010″

Pictured above: Andy Maric and Euan at Green Park School, where Andy was a pupil. We started the campaign for a primary school for Green Park in 1987 and it opened in 1991. And we’ve been successful in fighting for improvements to the facilities of all Newport’s other schools.

Irene Henderson & Andy Maric at Middleton Pool where Andy learnt to swim when he was younger

Pictured right: Irene Henderson reminding Andy Maric of the history of Middleton Pool. It used to be open air but, after consultation with residents, we found the money to have it covered in 1989. We’re delighted at the recent improvements carried out by the Town Council.

Liberal Democrat Candidate for Newport Pagnell South Andy Maric says, “It’s an excellent local swimming pool used by hundreds of residents and their families each week, it is where I learnt to swim when I was younger and am happy to see the recent improvements by the Town Council.”

We are addressing the issues raised by these surveys and will be replying to individuals on more specific problems.