Where are the candidates? asks sceptical Sark News
Saturday 15th November 2008, 9:29AM GMT.
THE fear that powerful influences from Brecqhou will overwhelm Sark with outside forces is unfounded, according to this month’s Sark News. It claims Sark is not an island with a predominantly indigenous population.
‘A high proportion of those involved in island politics and decision-making have lived here for a comparatively short time and cannot call themselves Sarkees,’ it states.
The island’s electoral roll counts people from the USA, South Africa, Germany and Finland.
‘It is a misconception that outside forces are something new,’ the newsletter goes on. ‘Changes to Sark’s way of life, welcome or not, have been taking place and will continue taking place regardless of whether they are influenced by pressure from the UK, Guernsey, Brecqhou or the island’s own politicians, be they immigrants from Canada or “indigenous”.’
The newsletter asks how, if the culture of ‘secrecy, unaccountability and cronyism’ is not replaced with transparency, accountability and equality for all, Sark is ever to become a proper democracy.
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It is high time that the Sark Lark took it last flight and emigrated elsewhere. Can they take it elsewhere? I feel that this is where the biggest problem lies. If those that wish to make it known that they have a problem with how things are going then my message is put your money before your mouth otherwise remain quiet. Sark is a step back in time for most but it can’t and never will be able to afford to be nostalgic. Most inhabitants wish it to remain this way. For whatever reason only they will be able to explain over numerous pints and shorts of course? Accept change cos it is natural and most of the time is created for the good of everybody! It is quite normal, especially when brighter people spot a flaw, to fear it. Once experienced will prove to become welcomed and a breath of fresh air!
Life changes as well as people do. Embrace these. Feel lucky that others have seen merit and wish to enhance on the good. Not everybody will want to invest time, money and more importantly effort in a small place with little going for it other than small narrow minded people with nothing better to do than fighting a losing battle! To the Sarkees stop complaining. Take a look around, sober that is, ask yourselves could anyone of you envisage such a plan? No! Time to stop complaining then! The Island has a lot going for it! Make the most of it cos I feel it will be a long time before anyone else wishes to make anything happen. If in your wish for quest you have what you want any outsiders will be welcomed with a red carpet. Not that this would impress many at this time of print! Be grateful sarkees cos you have a new economy opening up. Those wishing to hold onto their stubborn memories are welcome! Those that aren’t are welcome to enjoy a better way of life!
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Why does the Guernsey Press give credence to “articles” written in Sark News? It is, after all, a vicious pamphlet written by the Barclay tribe’s lackeys, targetting anti-Barclay residents of Sark, undermining the complete Sark way of life, edited by an obviously pseudonymous character who never has the guts to put “her” head above the parapet. You should be ashamed of yourselves!
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What is the problem with illegal business not being wanted- by some- on the island. If Kevin Delaney,for example! had ‘allegedly’ commited an offence on the island, all hell would break loose, as we have seen from a past episode. So why all the secrecy about this.
Besides that anybody with half a brain would have got out ages ago, when they were caught, took what they had earned from their ‘hardwork’ and realised that they couldnt quite keep it a secret any longer, but no! Greedyness took hold and they didn’t have quite enough money, with no guilt might I add, pillars of the community, smiles on their faces treating poltics as a hobby or a club in which you get invited to prestigious events- as long as they are not funded by sir david and sir fredrick barclay of course, and me I am very open minded, I agree with some of the views of the ‘antis’ but I also agree with being realistic and taking oppertunities when they surface, not fight them with such stubborness, I myself have actually heard to my disgust of a child who is not allowed by parent/s to speak to anyone or go in any barclay related businesses. I would call this a form of racism,- by the way sark,- the mainland, and the rest of the world got rid of this decades ago and i tell you this, it will not last there either!.
What is this fixation which some of people have on and off island of uncovering the editor of the sark news??? who cares who writes it, what will happen when you know? Will all sarks problems be solved-NO
none of them will be, the editor of the sark news chooses to remain anonymous, and so does the seigneur about his plans for the future, why might i ask is this not a big issue, is this not of more importance ???
There a million other issues I know and could go on, and this is only my opinion of course, my personal opinion, not influenced by anyone other than by what i have seen and live with. but draw your own opinions, you will anyway!!……
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I agree with Charlotte. “Sark News” is little more than a propaganda pamphlet published by the Barclay brothers to justify their persistent interference in the running of the island.
Why are they doing this? Because by gaining a controlling influence over how Sark is run they can further their own financial ends – which includes the unwanted commercialisation and development of that gem of an island as well as changing tax legislation to their advantage.
Business people like the Barclay brothers are “deal junkies” – the deal is everything, the best interests of the islanders are of little or no importance.
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In yesterday’s Press we were told that the Barclays ‘have offered an olive branch’ to their neighbours in Sark, having had previous attempts rejected in 2005 and 2006. So they say. And yet within the last few days we’ve had the latest issue of the Bile from Brecqhou – otherwise known as Sark News – where those election candidates regarded as anti-Barclay have their characters assassinated. How is that offering an olive branch? We are repeatedly told in the Press that Sark News is produced with the authority of the Barclay brothers, but are they aware quite how poisonous it is? Perhaps the elusive Mrs S. Oliver would care to explain to us how she reconciles the Bile from Brecqhou with the Barclays olive branch?
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“Perhaps the elusive Mrs S. Oliver would care to explain to us how she reconciles the Bile from Brecqhou with the Barclays olive branch?”
S for Mrs Sharon Oliver
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What is relevant about the editors identity exactly? I feel that a lot of people are green with envy. Others are bitter due to the fact that their income from directing thousands of companies has dried up. Some are complaining just because it offers a topic for discussion.
I feel that people need to think long and hard about all the good that the twins do. The future for Sark will be a romantic wedding Island.
The economy will explode and all the critics will be eating humble pie. A message to the negative Sarkees. Stop wingeing cos you are not strong enough and have nowhere near enough cash to prevent changes from happening.
All of what the Barclays do is above board and for the greater good. Us in Guernsey are being forced into some changes as well. I welcome and can’t wait to see these happen. FOI its about time!
Our whole constitution desperately needs a shake up just like the Sarkees dictatorship. It is refreshing that we have people with the foresight, power and will to push for a fairer future. We all benefit.
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The point about the editor’s identity is that this Mrs S. Oliver is giving her opinion – often a very forceful opinion – on who the Sark electors should vote for, and yet nobody seems to know anything about her. If I want to take advice on something, including who to vote for, I prefer to know something about the source of the information, don’t you? And personally I don’t have a very high opinion of somebody who comes out with ludicrous descriptions such as ‘a feudal Talibanist’. Much of what she writes is pure and simple mud-slinging. If you’re happy with that, then that’s fine, but don’t try to prevent others from questioning Mrs Oliver or her motives. To make one more point on this subject: we have had a couple of issues of Sark News which make it very clear which candidates are disapproved of by Mrs Oliver (and presumably by Brecqhou). Wouldn’t you also like to know more about the candidates who receive her endorsement? A couple of minutes on Google sheds some interesting light on one of them, mixed up in some very unsavoury business in the mid-1990s, and who seems to be just as guilty of holding multiple directorships as other candidates criticised by Mrs Oliver. Nothing but praise for him though. Don’t you wonder why?
Your comment that Sarkees should ‘stop wingeing cos you are not strong enough and have nowhere near enough cash to prevent changes from happening’ is bizarre. Does it all come down to money? Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the matter, the side with more cash will win out? If you’re ever in the position of a minority with a very rich opponent doing their best to stamp you out, will you just sigh and give up? Regardless of whether you think what the Barclays are doing is right or wrong, it cannot be denied that they wouldn’t have been able to carry on their campaigns without almost limitless wealth. Again, if you’re happy that the side with the most money always wins out, that’s your prerogative, but don’t assume the rest of us are.
Finally, to lighten up a bit, one of my favourite Mrs Oliver comments from the Sark News, issue 15, Sept. 2008, page 4. She is criticising the chairman of the planning committee: ‘we mention again the disproportionately large and architecturally misconceived building on the very cliff tops at the Rondellerie…’ – coming from Fortress Brecqhou, that’s a cracker!
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I have to say now, why would you want to find out this womans (or mans) views. As I said before- what does this matter. These things are all true facts which are written down for peoples information and, the more time it is in puclic veiw the more will be done about the problems and illegal matters that are apparent on sark to anybody who lives there. Is it something just to grab on to and keep on talking about?? and really I read on another story earlier that somebody would rather see a drunk three legged donkey elected- well now that is stubborn!! and I myself can’t see it working im afraid.
Everybody talks and writes against sir david and sir fredrick barclay with such anger and their language is rude and disgusting, so to say some of the comments in Sark News are not apt is complete hypocracy!!
WAKE UP!!
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