The Provost adds so much to community

Published 17 Dec 2010 17:30 3 Comments

John McLauglin, in his recent letter, wants to do away with the Provost to save money.

He clearly has no idea what would happen.

Somebody has to chair council meetings. If we can't have a Provost, we'll still need someone - so let's call them the 'Frumplid'.

Somebody has to represent the council at various events. If there is no Provost, you end up having to press-gang someone.

What would they be introduced as? Let's call them the 'Inverclyde Gazoomblo' (but not a Provost). Can you spot the difference? no, neither can I.

It's true we could dispense with a figurehead from the council turning up at the hundreds and hundreds of community events, which invite the Provost, but what a bleak and soulless community we would become.

The Provost's presence adds a dignity and sense of occasion, and, in turn, encourages so many in their community efforts.

You may wish to live in such a soulless community, but I don't particularly wish to.

As for welcoming guests to our area, is Mr McLauglin suggesting we simply don't? has he no idea of how trade, commerce and civic relations work?

As chaplain to the council (unpaid), I sometimes have the privilege of accompanying the Provost of the day, and when I see the huge workload done on behalf of the community by each Provost I have served, I am as amazed as I am humbled.

Mr McLaughlin, when you are prepared to give up anything like the hours every week that a Provost does for this community, then you will have the right to criticise.

Reverend AlAn Sorensen

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• 

  daveewing48
  1 post
  Dec 29, 18:48
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  Obviously someone doe's not know how the "system" actually works at the Town Hall. It's kind of like running your household; someone has to have there finger on the pulse when it comes to paying bills and balancing the books if not, watch out, because the lights will go off and your TV will not work, if someone is no monitering were the money is going and when it should be used for paying bills. Also, would you not want someone who is clearly devoted to the Town of Greenock representing all of you when other figureheads from other towns, or countries, even Royalty, stops by to see how Greenock can do it so well. Sorry; but it is a "no-brainer" someone has to be there to make sure it's all happening (town business)when it should, and also not to mention its better to have one mouth doing the talking than several. lots of mouths can give input where needed.
  
  Finally: Provost McCormick has been a pillar for Greenock over the last few years. I would personally not want the work load he seems to handle very well. He has done a fantastic job for all of Greenock.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 9

• 

  ******
  Mar 22, 15:42
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  This comment has been removed by a moderator

• 

  allross
  31 posts
  Apr 25, 13:52
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  i see my comment was removed by a moderator regarding sinclair st fire must have something too hide ?????????????????
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 0

• 

  Tiddles
  1077 posts
  Jun 15, 13:25
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  I note that Rev Sorensen receives no renumeration for his services (no pun intended) to the Council and the community. In a base and dog eat dog world, it is inspiring to learn of such a selfless attitude. Where I begin to have concerns about his opinions however is when he asserts that he is humbled by, "when I see the huge workload done on behalf of the community by each Provost I have served". These people are politicians and they ARE paid and paid WELL. Ask anyone who works on the relentless hell that is a call centre or a warehouse conveyor whether they would rather do what they are doing or go about in a chauffeur driven car to all sorts of soirees and junkets enjoying the largesse of the taxpayer or whoever and I think I know the answer.
  
  Nobody forced McCormick to be a councillor and nobody forced him to be Provost. If he and you feel the task to bettoo onerous then let him depart from this field of battle. John McLaughlin is merely echoing the many voices who say that changes have to be made to the system in these hard times.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 7     No 0

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