BEWARE - BANDIT COUNTY

Their evil deed is done, the line is drawn - the 'bad lands' of Lincolnshire clearly defined !

The writing was on the wall - those faces on the 'Wanted Posters' warned the honest traveler to beware. Foolishly I had remained in the County far too long. Could I escape with my life ?

"Another bullet wizzed by ! 'Butch' and 'Snake' were riding fast, intent to head me off at 'the pass'. Only one chance to avoid 'Sundance', is to go South - and travel at night".

"The 'loot share-out meeting' went bad, it was a 'done deal' from the start. 'Cowboy' and 'Tex' knew that as a fact - 'Ringo', 'Wild' and 'Pistols' go where they're told. It's 'Hangmam' who leaves me stone cold".

The crimes of the 'Fairer Charges Gang' have been 'extortion'. If otherwise, where they believe I can suddenly find £4000 extra each year, is beyond my understanding. Indeed could you, could any Citizen ? A £4K hike in Council Tax would cause a riot - the dying cannot get out of bed ! Most strange, unless 'Snake' can explain, how 'snatching away' ones savings, is anything but 'robbery' in its original form !

Because I have some modest saving, is clearly the industry of robbers and bandits to grab what they can - 'extortion' is a gangsters 'stock in trade'. If I survive for, say, 10 more years, their 'rewards' will amount to £40,000 - the thoughts of which will probably cause my death ! An astonishing sum from even the wealthiest pocket.

But I'm no member of any 'super rich club' - if I were I'd demand a better quality of 'care' than I currently get. And it is this 'care' that is to increase from £41 a week to a crippling £120 per week !

"Go South Old Man" - I spur 'Blaise' to gallop faster - my 'exit strategy' to become future 'blogs' when time permits.

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WHOSE TAKING WHO TO THE CLEANERS ?

Yesterday I sent all 9 Executive Councillor Members of Lincolnshire County Council, the eMail which is noted below.

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Subject: FAIRNESS and democracy
Date: 25 October 2006 18:31:41 BST
To: cllrm.hill@lincolnshire.gov.

Hello,

You may have seen me on 3rd October, unfortunately I was unable to see you.

However, before casting your Vote on the 'Fairer Charging Policy' tomorrow, please consider to whom 'fairness' is being dealt.

Please read my 'weblog', see my pictures, these are but a brief overview upon my life - and 33 years in Lincolnshire. Follow this link below :

http://careless-council.blogspot.com/

I would appreciate a short reply, an explanation even, whatever your own opinion may be. I am truly interested in your motivations.

Regards,

Richard van der Fransen
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As I post this 'blog' non of the 'Gang of Nine' have responded, even with an acknowledgement. Obviously they are busy making tracks to the 'called-in' meeting, when their "Fairer Charging Policy" has a final 'airing'. Actually, I suspect it will be myself, and others like me, who shall be 'hung out to dry'.

Watch out - there's a fresh 'blog post' lurking about.

Sorry . . . No 'cowboys' are taking me to the cleaners !

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NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD ?

Several years ago, actually 41, an old 1952 MkIi Dellow took my fancy.

After my £115 'offer' was agreed, I became the proud third owner of 'KTM 191' , and mindful that Harold Macmillan had recently told me, "I'd never had it so good", I zipped around North London and the West End as any 21 year old, young man might !

A couple of months later, a young and beautiful Wendy Brokenshire took my fancy too. After accepting my 'proposal' Wendy and myself married in September of 1966. Decked out in white ribbon, Dellow took us off on Honeymoon (at Clacton), and a new chapter in our lives began.

Wendy, born in Lincolnshire, and myself returned - with our two baby sons - to the County in 1972. We bought a house, made a home, started a business and paid all our taxes.

In 1981 our seemingly tranquil life was 'pulled up' sharply. Aged 35, Multiple Sclerosis and 'blindness', knocked loudly upon our Christmas Festive front door.

However 'life' goes on - and so it has ! My work and business changed to accomodate the illness and technology over the next decade - significant as they all were. But finally, no longer able to drive, or climb aboard, KTM 191 was sold last year - upon our 39th Wedding Anniversary. Wendy thought 'the cash' could be used towards an electric wheelchair, a holiday, a well deserved early retirement . . .

Unfortunately yet another 'spectre' appears, this time stalking the corridors of County Hall. And perhaps it is tomorrow when we'll learn of its evil intent !

Perhaps an Executive Member, or Chair, or all nine, could look to their own hopes and aspirations - and consider "fairness" in a less bigoted manner ?

Visit this site tomorrow for details of how a 'careless council' conducts itself !

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JUST LIKE MAGIC !

After learning of Brian and my joint protest, an old chum wrote. He asks, "How did you manage to stay warm for twenty four hours ? Who fed you both ? What about tending to your toilet needs ? And, most importantly, how did the meeting go inside the County Offices ?"

Several questions - but most point in one direction.

Well, despite his own poor photo taking skills, all real credit must go to 'Ali' - whom, without his help, Brian and myself could never have endured our '24 hour protest'.

Ali, a chum of Brian's son, was a 'Carer par excellence' ! Not just through our '24 hours of protest' but during the days proceeding it. These, of course, included all the preparations : banner stand and poles, press photo opportunities, van loading, TV filming, double checking, meeting myself, driving, making tea - before even leaving from Louth for Lincoln !

First Ali collected myself from North Somercotes. A printer had just delivered a 'banner' and 'display boards' - these, my case and duvet, the myself in electric wheelchair, was loaded abord Brian's (then empty) 'disabled access' MPV. No anchors for myself, so a 'loose cannon' I would be - sod health and safety - we had an appointment with TV.

Fast on the straights, slow on the bends, back to Muckton and collect Brian. More to load, but Brian first, his wheelchair 'locks' into position of nearside front. Then it goes banner poles, pole stands, kettle, stove, hamper, breeze-blocks, another hamper, duvets, apple-pie, kit-bag, sailing suits, water, cycle capes, tool box and finally driver Ali - we hit the road again.

As bends were entered, I reminded Ali of the ilusionary 'tumbler of water (beer or gin)' balanced upon the bonnet - not a drop to spill. As a 'loose cannon' I remained, er, 'steadfast' - and Ali remianed, er, 'cool'.

Lincoln. Once at County Hall, under the harsh glare of TV floods, harsh words from TV presenter Vicky, "You're late" - coolest Ali parked our van, extracted two electric wheelchaired 'old geezers', fetched and carried without a glimmer of exasperation. All this, and not yet 15 minutes into our 24 hours vigil (save for the 15 mins we were late to arrive).

It is 6.30pm and County Hall falls quiet - TV crews and council employees go off home, Brian, Ali and myself are left alone.

We selected a 'pitch' beneath Linconshire C C brand new sign - an ideal spot, it'll do us just fine. Traffic eases, we'll hold the line.

An interesting note : No 'curb drop downs' for wheelchairs (or prams) are available - so, now we are here with Ali's forceful assistance, we'll stop hard until "move on" is demanded ! The night ahead appears interesting - in case of showers Ali moves the van closer, but rain seems elusive the temperature mild.

A car pulls up, two of Ali's chums arrive. They were "the entertainment", and none better could we have booked. A double act BARNEY and ANDY, a 'turn' to behold, all the way from OZ, with Digeriedoo and Wabble-board at hand, a 'fair dinkum' style of Assie Rap filled the air. The police stayed away.

Later another car pulls up. A couple from Louth. They had seen us on Look North TV earlier that evening. A thermos of hot coffee laced with brandy. Who needs to be wrapped in a duvet I begin to wonder.

Every third car acknowledges us with a 'honk' of their horn.



Further 'answers' later . .

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A HARD DAYS NIGHT ?

After a night upon the street, outside County Hall, LCC Press Officer Karen Spencer led Brian and myself to Council Chambers to watch democracy in action. We were both in our electric powered wheelchairs, in which we had sat throughout the previous night. Karen led us up past car park barriers and bollards. At our maximum speed of 2mph we were an odd 'crocodile' at 10.15am.

Karen remarked, having noted 'our' disabled Red Imp logo mascot, "You really should not deface our new logo." Shocked by her 'disability discrimination' I suggested, "Whilst 'she' may be constrained by her 'design manual', as a contributor to its
£40,000 'design fee purchase', I was less inhibited. Besides, some unfortunate Imps must need wheelchairs too." Naturally I invited her to sue me, and/or Red Imp, if she thought it appropriate.

Most strangely, at about 4.30pm Karen appeared again - at our pavement pitch - with a message from a 'mystery TV company' (Karen would not admit which). Apparently 'they' would be arriving at Newland around 6pm ? More pressing, and as Karen had no 'Imp molestation' Writ' upon her person, the looming rain and dark black clouds took Brian and my serious attension. As both ITV and BBC were now long gone - and heavy rain seemingly approached - at 5pm Brian and myself chose to 'make tracks'. If anyone believes we 'short changed' them by an hour in our 24 hour vigil, they may telephone me for a 60 minute chat. Could Karen really have wished for 'rain upon Red Imp's parade', whilst we awaiting in vain for imagined media ? Did Brian and myself rattle a Press Officer's tranquility so greatly ? Great ! A great day out.

Although economically distinctly different, Brian has a pension whereas I have savings, we both find the 'fairer charges' totally 'unfair'. We believed, as we paid our Taxes and NI contributions, our Society (as a whole) took on the responsibility of the weak (as a whole). Not expect the weakest to fill a hole in Council deficits ! Especially when £40K logos, £150K signage, £850 a day PR consultancy, are the preoccupation of an 'image conscience' Council !

Whichever way it is accounted, my own savings (those which someone else decides I have in excess) will reduce by £4,000 per year. A sum my past prudence, had not budgetted for in the future. If I live for 10 more years, a staggering £40,000 - the thoughts of which may kill me ! Meanwhile, should I survive, are denied to my continued independance - the life blood of my past career and family principles. Unfortunately I am not one of the 'nouveau riche' (pronounced "loadsa dosh"), enjoying life, sans Council Tax, with the enviable status of being Income Supported !

Clearly, due to savings and disability, I am punished twice over. An 'under class' indeed !

Thanks for the evening beers, Labour !

Thanks for the Egg Muffin breakfast, mystery kind woman !

Thanks for nothing, Conservative Council Executive !

Thanks for nothing, Christine Talbot ! (silly presumption, I was not alone)

Thanks for Caring, record ten "called-in" councillors !

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Fingers, and toes, crossed during Thursday 26th October !

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UNLUCKY FOR SOME

Friday - Today it is the 13th, and after my Bloggings of last Tuesday, I'm uncertain if its wise to attempt another tutorial this day.

But I must dispel such fears - Red Imps are not wimps - and try at least an 'edit' and a 'shortie'. Indeed, a picture of a 'shortie, in fact my dearest of Yorkie, a much loved 12 year old called Bonnie - a bitch with an impish nature. A constant companion whenever Wendy's lap is unavailable.

A typical morning will find both lapdog and laptop upon my bed, as I await Carers to arrive. And whilst I type this 'blog of
the day' - with Bonnie walking across the keyboard.

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FIRST SOLO FLIGHT

Tuesday. A knock at the front door, the Yorkies screach and yelp so your brain rattles, the Postman shies away, Wendy questions, "Have you been buying stuff ?" Richard replies, "I suspect its a 'short order' of medical supplies." The package marked 'fragile' is torn open - several plain cartons emerge - clearly 'medical' but a delivery note reads, 'from Faye' ? Better have a mug of tea, thinks Wendy, as she opens a carton. "Wow, what a super surprise - that 'Red Imp' cannot be put down - obviously time for a 'cuppa' before today's Blogger tutorial." A carton is sent off to Brian, so he too can better enjoy a mug of tea !

Thanks for the kindest of thoughts, dear Faye.

Now refreshed with a mug of fine tea (in the finest of Red Imp mugs) it was time for my first Blogger 'solo flight'.

So, at upon the apron proudly I fired up my aging Mac PowerBook, and soon I'm at Blogger Sign In page. With a confident flourish in goes my 'User Name' followed by 'Password'. Hit the Button and, what's this ? Error ?

I type both 'secret codes' in again, slowly, not to make a mistake, hit the button and, again 'Error'. Again and again, for a hour I try every version of User Name and Password imaginable. Capital letters, initial capitals, numeral as words, every possible permutation but all produce Error, Error, Error.

Carers drag me to bed. I telephone my Tutor, my son Tim who tries my failed codes - and has no problem whatsoever. Not an Error. "Did you use 'word spaces' in your three word User Name ?" questions Son to Father. "Of course !" scoffs Dad. And Tuesday slips away - my lesson today being : No Word Spaces in User or Passwords, you Dummy Dad !

What will, or will not happen tomorrow ?

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WALNUTS to David

Once upon a time in North Somercotes a Red Imp stirred . . .

New Tory Logo...

Hey Christine... Another 40 grand down the toilet, would this money not have been better spent on care in the community, the NHS, education to name but a few? Oh what a perfect day! (excuse the pun)

Have a read of this Guardian article regarding the logo. One comment left on the site of prospective Tory candidate Iain Dale said: "It looks like a three-year-old has been let loose with a crayon."

Shock horror... Was this not created by perfect day after all but in fact the real creator was Christine Talbot's with the crayon that was sent to her some few weeks back?

I do believe it was a green crayon I sent.

24-Hour Protest

Two disabled men will today begin a 24-hour protest against a massive hike in care costs - on the steps of County Offices.

Richard Van der Fransen and Brian Steel are facing a combined increase of £632 - or 192 per cent - in their monthly care bills if the huge public sector increases are approved.

The men, who both suffer from progressive Multiple Sclerosis, are to brave the elements outside Lincoln's County Offices, starting at teatime tonight, despite fears over their deteriorating health...