THE thousands of pounds spent on the new Sark harbour crane could have been better used to improve island life, according to the latest edition of The Sark Newsletter.
It states it would have cost £6,000 to repair the old harbour crane but Chief Pleas opted to buy a new one for £205,000.
Kevin Delaney (pictured), who said he writes the newsletter from his own perspective as a Sark resident and taxpayer trying to raise local issues, believes the money could have been spent on many other important items.
‘Now the euphoria surrounding the arrival of the new crane has worn off, and with both vehicles now sitting down at the harbour, either one ready and able to meet the needs of the island, it is interesting to reflect on how this complete waste of taxpayers’ money could have been better allocated,’ he said.
‘Huge upgrades to our current medical facilities could have been achieved. This money would have limited the number of people we have to refer to Guernsey.’
He estimates it would have cost £100,000 to buy an X-ray machine or £50,000 could have been used to set up a dental surgery.
‘Arrangements made with a Guernsey practitioner to visit once a week would allow islanders access to many aspects of dental care that they currently have to travel to Guernsey for,’ he said.
‘The prospect of some 600 new patients would no doubt ensure that an investment of this kind would create a favourable long-term rental return for the island.’
Other ideas included £20,000 on an ophthalmic suite, £10,000 on a public library or £25,000 on a gymnasium.
Sark General Purposes and Advisory Committee chairman Charles Maitland said he did not regret the decision to buy the crane.
‘If the old crane had broken down in August, Sark would have been left craneless and ground to a halt,’ he said.
‘This new crane means we have a reserve so we will never be left in this position.’
He said all alternatives had been looked into at the time and it was a wise decision.
‘Sark can’t be left high and dry. It is very easy for others to criticise from the sidelines.’
Article posted on 23rd November, 2009 - 2.29pm
6 Article Comments
This is becoming a habit. Delaney writes a newsletter setting out his own opinions and the GP reports it as if it is newsworthy and without any original or critical input from the GP reporters.
Come on GP, you are supposed to be a newspaper. Reporting one person’s view is not news.
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there is already a dental practioner who visits Sark very regularly.
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It is interesting that Mr. Delaney has made himself the self appointed voice of the people of Sark. Let us remember that he had a seat on Chief Pleas for at least a year and a half before democracy was forced upon the island. What did he achieve during this time? Was he the voice of the people? Did he stand up and debate the important issues that Sark was dealing with during this time? What committee’s did he apply to be on? Or did he just turn up and vote yeah or neigh on the hard work that the Committee’s at the time were conducting? Its all too easy to sit on the sidelines and scorn at those who actually put the time in to do a difficult job without any thanks or even being paid for it! Mr. Delaney is working on the ephos that if something is stated often enough it must be true. I would like to think that the people of Sark are smarter than that.
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Surely there are better things to write about on Sark than this? I am sure Sark would not have invested money into a new crane without proper justification. I am sick of seeing Kevin Delaneys mug shot every time I check out the Sark news. Give us something worthwhile to read please.
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does kev delaney own sark
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s brouard
To hazard a wild guess. I would estimate his bosses own the majority.
Good for them!
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