Concern for the relationships between Somerset's towns

or rather, how the rest of the towns seem to be viewing Chard.

I hate to talk about politics (especially right before election time...or what ever its called), but I'm not gonna sit around letting it be unsaid. Ever since the elections towns (Bridgewater to be specific) have been rather....cold to Chard and it's citizens. A few days after the elections I was in BW, and this was said to me: '- make that a county councilor - and visiting us from the fine town of bristol, or bath, or Gloucester...oops, she's visiting from chard - that's a nice town too'. (not to mention a few other snide comments that were rather hurtful to me) It is obvious that some Bridewaterians were not pleased with the type of 'reconciliation' that was offered.

I understand that they were hurt, and felt betrayed; I know I would've. But it has been almost a month now, and people are still harboring the same feelings. 'The Woodchuck Festival' wasn't just created to promote RP, but to mend the relationship between chard, Bridgewater, and Somerset in general. But I have heard from people that they will not come to the festival. Why? Because they believe Chard is full of scum-sucking power mongers and the like. I've even had visitors in Chard say to me they were warned to to come traveling through the Town. It saddens me to know that people could have such harsh feelings towards a town that has done nothing wrong.

Truthfully, I have no clue how to sort this out, but if it continues, it can be quite a problem for us, and we don't need all this hatred going around.

Marshie

As someone from Chard, I will second this sentiment. The only part I disagree with is Marshy's statement of when this all started. Chardians have been harassed quite a bit for a long time now. But she is certainly accurate in saying it has become exponentially worse and harder to be a Chardian since the elections.

I, too, have been the victim of very hurtful degrading comments simply because I was born and reside in Chard. I know for a fact others in Chard (i.e. not just the Councilors from Chard) have faced similar hurtful experiences.

This is not to say that we are blaming anyone in this room (or blaming anyone in particular, at all). I (and I assume Marshy) are just saying that we need to lead by example and try to foster a stronger relationship. Chard is trying to reach out to other towns, and when we hear people warning others not to come to the Festival because we are evil...it really hurts. Believe me, if you have never been here, we are the far from an evil people.

I know we realize Bristol's tribulations (and this is by no way taking away from the hardships faced there), but I think we should also help the people of Chard. It is harder to recognize Chard's troubles because they really are not quantifiable (and again this is not to detract from Bristol- they need serious aid). We really need to do something before a culture of victimization is fully established.

Sadly,
Rebo

I think a lot of it will stem from the Saj/ Poliphulous trials and tribulations. With them for the moment out of the way perhaps it will start to fade. I think Lady Marshmellow is also correct that some that voted Reconciliation may feel betrayed. I don't know how to address that.

The festival is a good start. Attendance by all council members would be a good show of faith with Chard. I will be physically in Chard tomorrow reset and will attend the festival. I will stay unless circumstances elsewhere demand my attention.

I think all you can do is try to be the best you ca be while out of Chard. Be ambassadors for your town. No one can hate Lady Marshmellow once they have been in her presence. I think this will be the quickest way to bring the ones that hate Chard around. I do think that they are in the minority though.

Actually Chard has had that problem for a long time back to the days when Harekr was mayor and it was a cue stronghold in a patron county.
That had changed thru time but perhaps the recent election flared things a bit.
I would like to believe it will settle down and things will get back to normal.
Times change and people move on.

I know we have a LOT of things on our plate, and I do not wish to detract efforts from any of them. Just wanted to clarify that ahead of time.

Allikath wrote:

Actually Chard has had that problem for a long time back to the days when Harekr was mayor and it was a cue stronghold in a patron county.
That had changed thru time but perhaps the recent election flared things a bit.
I would like to believe it will settle down and things will get back to normal.
Times change and people move on.

Your Grace, the fact that Chard has suffered these sentiments since its creation (Harekr being the first mayor), seems to show that there is something at issue here. This victimization of Chard has been in place since its birth, so yes, times change but people have not moved on. Many of us are very confused as to why this is still true. As someone who is generally a very strong optimist, it is really getting me down to still hear that I am thought of as Evil, simply because I live in Chard. I hope that the Woodchuck Festival helps, but I know for a fact many are not going to take part because it is in Chard.

I know there are very few definitive actions we can take to combat this as the Council. I guess I am only hoping that if any of you (specifically those not from Chard) hear any of these vicious statements, that you will do everything in your power as a role model to convince otherwise.

From Chard with ,
Rebo

I have repeatedly stated in the BW taverns that, while individuals may be political enemies, certainly Chard the town is not an enemy! And that was back in the dark days of the whole teagan affair ...

I am very pleased to hear that, Chardy! I figured you were, but it is nice to hear. And, unfortunately it is the people of BW that seem to harbor the most resentment towards Chard, so you have a hard job. I am sure the People of Chard appreciate any and all the work you do to settle the tempers.

The dark days of what you call the "Teagan Affair" are in the past, but the resentment sadly still remains. Keep up the good work!

Every town in the past become the hated town of Somerset or wiltshire.

I remember bridgewater been hated when i was mayor because guy like CD causing trouble, hated before because we want wiltshire county politician out of town more then a years ago.

Bath get hated when Bridgewater citizens mass exode there on creation of bath.

Gloucester been hated because they keep the price of fish high during hypno been mayor ect ect.

Everything pass and is just a cycle

I found it interesting to read that certain members of SNP could never work closely with LoF-UWS due to disagreeing with our principles. I am curious to know which principles they find objectionable, as I suspect that (some of) those principles may not even be held by those parties since misunderstandings are rife here.

Also, I detect a level of despair for Somerset from those remaining members of SNP here. I hope that this doesn't cause them to become completely negative in their interactions. Those who moved to Scotland do still retain an enthusiasm and hope in their new county, which will hopefully allow them to forget any bitterness in time. For example, since his move, I have seen in Hypno's posts a higher level of constructive suggestions and a return of his sense of humour.

Principles are serious things, but let us not forget that this is a game, and games are for fun. If you don't enjoy playing politics, what are you doing here? If bitterness anger or hatred are not role played actions, but real feelings, it's time to take a step back and ask if this is good use of your time.

And that has exactly what to do with the topic of this thread Vana? You couldn't find somewhere to point a finger at SNP that actually fit?


This is some interesting history. I knew some were angry with Bath in the past for "stealing" players as they chose to move there. I know Chard has had an image politically that to some is less than desirable. But as Cleophas says these situations are transient. Soon enough an infamous political character will arise elsewhere and the people ill will will move to that town.

As new mayors and new councils come, old rivalries will fade, new ones will arise.

It has to do with this topic because it was posts in this topic which prompted my questions and comments. It has to do with relationships between towns in Somerset because politics obviously affects those relationships, if not defines some of them. Until we understand what the real differences are we won't be able either to address them or learn to live with them. And why do you call it pointing a finger at SNP, rather than trying to understand their principles and feelings?

Vàna Rúndóttir wrote:

I found it interesting to read that certain members of SNP could never work closely with LoF-UWS due to disagreeing with our principles. I am curious to know which principles they find objectionable, as I suspect that (some of) those principles may not even be held by those parties since misunderstandings are rife here.

I made this comment in another thread:

Quote :

but I cannot in conscience run on a LoF/UWS ticket.

You read something completely different into it, Vana. It's becoming a well-edged tool in your kit, where you draw dire implications from the words used, and then use your interpretation to represent fact. You have done so repeatedly, both in private and public forums. Every time, it's a poke at SNP.

Stop it, Vana. I write in plain English. If you hadn't been paying attention, we HAVE been working together. I made the statement I quoted, Ellsbeth said,

Quote :

I as well in no way ascribe to the values and ethics of the UWS party and will not run on a ticket that is associated in any way.

. You "read that certain members could never work closely with" your party. There's a huge difference there. Because you can't understand that our words mean what they say, not what you want them to mean, you can't understand us, for you render yourself incapable of logical discussion; nor can you be understood, for if our words mean something so completely different to your mind, then how can your words be other than equally confusing to us?

I don't need to understand someone to work with them. It's part of doing a job. Please figure it out, Vana.

I'm sorry for my poor English. Instead of revealing any principes you hold which are at odds with ours, perhaps you would instead explain which values and ethics of UWS members you cannot ascribe to instead. Also, what are the principles held by your party? Teach me please.