Author Archives: davidsberry

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About davidsberry

Local ex-councillor, tour guide and database designer. Keen on wildlife, history, boats and music. Retired in 2017.

76: Where There’s Muck, There’s Brass

Posted on February 18, 2011 by davidsberry

Despite still being Europe’s muckiest power station (5m tonnes of carbon p.a.) things have gone quiet around ScottishPower’s proposal to coin more millions for their Iberdrola masters by adapting the coal-fired station at Cockenzie into a CCGT (Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine) … Continue reading →

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77: Belters’ Pelters

Posted on February 17, 2011 by davidsberry

There is nothing wrong with exercising a good pair of lungs on behalf of other people; it’s at the heart of democracy and community. Any councillor worth their salt gets it tight on a regular basis, using the ear-drubbing to … Continue reading →

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The latest employment figures continue to show Scotland moving in the right direction through SNP commitment to creating jobs, investing in infrastructure and supporting training. The Government level was complemented by ELC’s budget, restricting internal job losses to empty posts, … Continue reading →

Posted on February 17, 2011 by davidsberry | Leave a comment

78: Hootsmon, It’s Times

Posted on February 16, 2011 by davidsberry

I’ve made no secret of my belief that independence offers the best future for everyone in Scotland, irrespective of their origins. I’m happy to take my lumps in debate on this—and debate there needs to be. But when once-great giants … Continue reading →

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79: Security Levels

Posted on February 15, 2011 by davidsberry

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Should this persist, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” … Continue reading →

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80 Days to Decide

Posted on February 14, 2011 by davidsberry

Plenty of time, then, in which to make up your mind. Perhaps a table of comparison between the two main contenders—Labour and SNP—at our local council level would help. After all, Labour had long experience running this county for thirty … Continue reading →

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81: Parliamo Politico II

Posted on February 13, 2011 by davidsberry

Let’s Talk Pencil-Pusher: Lesson II—Beancounting for Beginners (Second of a series, translating bureaucrat-speak into what it means for folk in East Lothian) Our UK-wide BBC has focussed on horror stories of English council cuts, ranging from 8.8% in poor Hackney, … Continue reading →

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82: Think No Evil

Posted on February 12, 2011 by davidsberry

Labour is unused to (& deeply unhappy about) being out of power North and South of the border, let alone in most Scottish councils. I can see why. But, their only strategy for salvation appears to consist of pouring vitriol on … Continue reading →

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83: Bob’s Been Busy

Posted on February 11, 2011 by davidsberry

With pressure off after ELC budget-setting on Tuesday, I took a tour of some of the local projects we’ve been funding across the county. Since our Labour opponents in the council and Holyrood both threw their toys so emphatically out … Continue reading →

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84: The Coast Line

Posted on February 10, 2011 by davidsberry

Relevant though they may be, I am not going to bother you with details how Transport Scotland, Network Rail, SESTrans and various Train Operating Companies interact to organise rail services for East Lothian. Their committees meet out of public sight … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Transport | Tagged | 1 Comment