Machrihanish Airbase Community Buy-out

[mrn]

I would vote YES but unfortunately we are just above the cut off.

[JEM]

I would certainly vote yes. It seems to me you have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

[LAR]

This is a one-off opportunity for the community - I am surprised by the level of negativity on here. If I was still living in the postcode area, I'd be voting yes!!

[Jock Strap]

This is a one-off opportunity for the community - I am surprised by the level of negativity on here. If I was still living in the postcode area, I'd be voting yes!!

Not sure if some people are being negative LAR, probably more sceptical which you can understand. Not everyone knows enough about the buyout. That is just a face and not only on here, but in the area. Hopefully enough people will vote.

[ex roadie]

As yet we have not received ballot papers ,we do live in correct postcode.
I am also concerned if we vote yes ,what happens to the present staff.
I have been told they will be paid off in summer,could someone clarify this for us.

[MACC]

The reason for some people not having received their ballot papers already is that the legislation regarding the electoral register does not allow for individuals or community bodies to have the full register or the most up to date register. This is beyond our control and beyond the control of Argyll & Bute Council.

It is possible therefore that anyone who is not on the edited register or anyone who did not register before December 1st 2009 may not receive their ballot paper as quickly as those who are on the edited register. However, we have tried to send out ballot papers to all those we can identify in the PA28 6 voting area and everybody should receive their ballot paper by tomorrow or Thursday. If anyone does not receive their ballot paper please email us on macc@machrihanish.org or telephone Ian on 07793040531 or Jim on 550066. The deadline should be Monday 24th but as we are doing the count on the evening of Tuesday 25th any ballot papers received by the morning of 25th will be counted.

With regard to the rumour or speculation about redundancies, it is certainly not the intention that anyone will lose their job. The motivation behind the community buy out is to create jobs, attract inward investment, promote economic development and make the airbase not only pay for itself in a sustainable way, but also provide many community benefits.

Following what we hope will be a successful ballot, we will be preparing a business plan and we hope the whole community will contribute to this. We will be consulting with the community during the preparation of this business plan - it is your community and the plan will need your input, consultation and approval.

[Mist Rolling In]

As someone who was utterly against this I did feel that the public meeting added a little credibility, but I'm afraid that's completely disappeared now and I am really concerned that the group are misrepresenting things.

Firstly, the group said at their public meeting that all contamination would be cleared up by the MOD. When this was queried at the meeting, they said no, it hadn't actually confirmed anything, discussions are on-going and it was 50:50 chance of success. Yet the flier with the ballot paper still states this like it is a committment from the MOD. Bit of a stretch by the sound of things.

I'm also concerned re MACC's post above

we are doing the count on the evening of Tuesday 25th

Surely the group themselves should not be doing the count? Where is the independant scrutiny? Who is the returning officer? Are they associated with the group?

John S and others have said they have comfort from the fact that the group have said they will ballot the community again following the development of the business plan. What was actually said at the meeting was that they "might consider balloting the community" If the ballot is in favour of the group they have 13 weeks to produce the business plan - a plan they don't yet have funding for, nevermind a consultant. Are they really going to be able to notify the community of the plan and ballot again (which obviously is expensive) before the August deadline? I personally doubt it, and they have no committment or obligation to do this.

On another note - the full register is available to anyone to view, if not to take away. This could have been cross checked agains the published register months ago - takes time, but surely worth it?!

I won't be voting - either yes or no. Seems the most powerful thing those against it can do is bin the paper as every return, regardless of where the X is, helps to progress this.

[EileenH]

I have been reading this with interest. By voting, no one in the community will be held responsible an any way for what happens with the airbase. MACC seem to be trying to do something positive for the community. What is there to lose by buying the airbase? Nothing as far as I can see. Hopefully jobs will be created, which are much needed in the town. I haven't heard what the advantages of NOT buying it would be to the community. Perhaps Mist Rolling In could enlighten me? If it's a NO vote then we'll never find out what could have been. Surely MACC should be given the chance to build a business plan and show the people of the town what choices we have in keeping the airbase.

[MACC]

Just to clarify the counting process for Mist Rolling In:

The votes will be counted by volunteer bank and council staff. A Returning Officer has been appointed and there will also be a lawyer and at least one Councillor witnessing the count. No-one from MACC will in any way be involved in the count.

Thanks to EileenH who said

I have been reading this with interest. By voting, no one in the community will be held responsible an any way for what happens with the airbase. MACC seem to be trying to do something positive for the community. What is there to lose by buying the airbase? Nothing as far as I can see. Hopefully jobs will be created, which are much needed in the town. I haven't heard what the advantages of NOT buying it would be to the community. Perhaps Mist Rolling In could enlighten me? If it's a NO vote then we'll never find out what could have been. Surely MACC should be given the chance to build a business plan and show the people of the town what choices we have in keeping the airbase.

[MACC]

Have you returned your Ballot? If not please return it by posting as soon as possible. You can also post it into a sealed Ballot Box in the Burnet Building or in Jim Martin Supplies, Longrow.

[£3.73]

Out of retirement for one last post.

If you haven't already done so.

Initial your ballot paper so it can't be photocopied !

And adjudicators please check to ensure that each vote has a perforated edge at the right hand side

[bassett]

Out of retirement for one last post.

As it says on your profile...

£3.73
can't stay away

[MACC]

Just to re-assure everyone, the ballot papers are individually numbered - if you look at the back of the ballot paper there is a very small number - these numbers were individually assigned by the company who sent out the ballot papers so there is no necessity to initial your ballot papers. Votes are of course anonymous. It would need the ballot result to be challenged and then it would need a court of law to decide that there was good reason to challenge the result and require that the list of numbers matched up with voters was revealed.

[£3.73]

MACC I wasn't making undue mischief ... I simply wasn't aware of other ballot boxes around the town.
(eveything is open to abuse these days by anyone !)

Certainly no sleight intended, and I hope none taken.

While I myself am a sceptic, I really hope that whatever the outcome of this, it's the right outcome !

Bassett, I believe this my 600th post ... and will indeed be the last

[MACC]

No problem £3.73. It is a good thing that people question the process. In order for us to satisfy the Scottish Government we need to be able to demonstrate that we have carried out the community ballot according to the legislation. We have therefore made sure that we have carried out the ballot according to the rules we have been given. Enjoy your retirement from the forum!