Torquays Balloon

Haha I dunno how the ultraconservative residents of Torquay would feel about electing a 19 year old ;D maybe when I return from the LSE and London with 15 years of business experience under my belt and Torquay is still the same old low wage, economically depressed retirement home that it is now.

On a tangent I feel strongly that the American elected Mayor system we have (which I strongly believe in, the right 'strong man' consulting a cabinet can rule much better than a cabinet orientated approach especially in divided cities, American cities prove this) should be unpartisan, that is to say that all candidates should be independents, it'd help solve the squabble that goes on between the Lib Dems and Tories here and help cast the mayor as the link between the two, an independent adjudicator if you will.

Anyways I care as I can see whats going on in this town and it's downward spiral, not being a native of Torquay although I've lived here for 14 years, I can see some of the can't do attitude that permeates around here and it frustrates me so much as it has such potential if the growing pains it's going to struggle through in the next 20 years are handled correctly, the area isn't failing because it's predestined to, it's failing because people aren't trying hard enough. Tourism was it's lifeblood and should always play a part in the town's economy, but I feel the time has come for the town to look into developing a light industrial base, to develop it's service industry and to attract those kind of companies here, once again the American way shows the way forwards, actively marketing the region as a 'city' (ignoring the semantics of the word, as a business owner would you invest in a town of 60k or a city of 130k...given that TQ/Paignton are practically inseperable aside from a small sliver it's a relevant point) offering tax breaks for companies to relocate etc etc.

Once (and if ever) the South Devon Link Road is built and if (hopefully) the Stagecoach fast ferry gets into service and integrated with the bus services, the one impediment to the town's economic growth namely it's poor transport links will be largely gone in a business sense. It's then that the town should aggresively market itself to businesses, the North Whilborough/Edginswell area is going to go whether it's full of residential development, commercial or industrial whether we like it or not, so it might aswell be developed by things that boost the economy rather than another sprawling housing estate a la the Willows, watching the first roads for that appear during my last year at Barton Primary School will always stay with me as a sign that the greenfields will eventually go and Newton will be swallowed by the town in due time.

It doesn't take an active mind to think up ideas, such as my own dream of a stadium for United/community sports facilities and concert venue (no decent arena between Bristol and Plymouth...about 300-400k people between them...hmm) acting as the anchor for an out of town business/entertainment district, or simply zoning off areas for ONLY corporate development to keep the land costs down and make it attractive for business.

To continue the way that Bye is doing in persisting that the town's future is linked inextricably with tourism is folly, yes it'll play it's part but basing an entire 'Vision' around essentially tourism and high density housing (which I agree is needed) isn't exactly what I'd have thought up . I support him because at least he's trying, all his opposition and the people you regularly see in the papers opposing him aren't exactly coming up with any suggestions themselves, it's the old Torquay attitude of I don't like it but I'm not going to suggest any alternatives.

Nick Bye had better not go in it. What is it they say? Never put a p***k in a balloon??

Nah, I censored it myself. Didn't realise you had a swear filter installed.

I think I may have to join the facebook group against it too!

Latest total.... 1049

The one supporting it numbers 52. ;D