Mayor of Portobello?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Sep 2004, 03:51

I feel so passionately that in Portobello we have a role to play in one of the major cities of the world. We are not a major city in terms of population, economic output or strategic signifigance but there is no doubt, globally speaking, Edinburgh matters. It always has.

For too long Portobello has been the "coo's end" of Edinburgh. "One can get so much more for one's money" in Portobello. I know that a fair percentage of POL viewers/ contributors will recognise their own inital doubts about Porty and easily put them aside for the benefit of the greater good.

I feel we have something special going on in Porty. Lets have a Mayor, like we used too, lets make and adhere to some rules. If we make them , then we can't argue about breaking them.

Can you imagine? Major of Portobello. Im no way applying for the job.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 19 Sep 2004, 08:25

This sounds like a splendid 3:51 am idea, but I wonder how it stands up in the cold light of day? Would this mayor actually do anything, or would it be more of a ceremonial role. How would he/she be elected? Is it a salaried job? Who might be contenders for the job? Would a car be provided?

Let's draw up a list of candidates and have an election. I'm going to start with a couple of obvious candidates - Lawrence Marshall and Maureen Child. Any more?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 19 Sep 2004, 09:22

It should be more like a university rector idea than a boring politician - that way we can have someone famous as a draw to make civic events more interesting and have the kids turn up.

Or someone who has done or is doing the community a service.

I would like to suggest Javid Konscious from Kost Konscious.

No offence to the councillors suggested by Bob, but as well as being far too busy protecting us from evil developers, I feel they lack what Simon Cowell would refer to as the "X" factor.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 19 Sep 2004, 09:50

I think that's why we need to clarify what the role would entail. So let's add Gail Porter in the meantime. Could you furnish us with a job description Porty?

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 19 Sep 2004, 10:01

I'm guessing this would be after the reversal of the 1896 decision to bring Portobello into Edinburgh?

rathbone · Post by **rathbone** » 19 Sep 2004, 10:14

Here in the foreign climes of Rathboneland we don't have a mayor, but we do have a Chairman of the Community Council, who has a chain of office and goes around opening supermarkets, kissing babies and generally acting as a figurehead for the local communiity.

Perhaps a Part-time Porty Provost is a possibility?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Sep 2004, 10:59

I have just been in bed dreading reading my 3:51am post. Thank you for being so lenient and understanding. I am really impressed by Dada and Bob's input and rather ashamed to admit that I don't have a mechanism or even a firm idea of what a provost or even better a "community leader" would do. In the cold light of day I still believe it to be it a fine concept. Perhaps mixing the role with politics/politicans may confuse or devalue the position?

I don't know where you are Rathbone? But your input is valuable. A couple of years ago I visited New York and met up with 3 former PHS people that have all set up lives over there. One of them is the "major" of his village, Pop about 500. He says it does lots of good and helps bring the community together. I bet each and every one of us are pleased and proud to say that we live in a the community that is Portobello. Lets spread the word and have a figurehead even if its only in a PR role.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Sep 2004, 11:00

Jamesie wrote:I'm guessing this would be after the reversal of the 1896 decision to bring Portobello into Edinburgh?

Not at all, particularly if its not a political role.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 19 Sep 2004, 11:13

rathbone wrote: goes around opening supermarkets...

Rathbone! You can't go around saying things like that on here!

You definitely won't be elected now.

sicker · Post by **sicker** » 19 Sep 2004, 15:39

Don't wish to sound pedantic porty but here in Scotland would a provost not be more im keeping than a mayor?

John

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Sep 2004, 15:49

Mayor has more of what Dada calls the X factor. Plus it makes it distinct from the officiial title of Provost. IMHO.

What a great community this is. We can't even decide the titlle of the Leader we haven't got.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 19 Sep 2004, 16:26

I suppose that the nearest thing to this that I have heard suggested is some sort of Town Centre Manager, someone who would be responsible for marketing Portobello as a leisure and shopping centre.

My response to people who want to make things happen in Portobello is that they should get involved in the Community Council. Elections will be held next year and I'm determined that the term 'elected member' will mean just that on this occasion. If that results in some current members losing out, then so be it.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Sep 2004, 16:44

If the PTCM had a role like other town centre managers then in my experience they would do everything they could to facilitate the opening of a Superstore. Mainly because the Superstore would be picking up a fair percentage of his/her salary. I think we steer away from a specifically commercial or political role. It should be an honorary postion with the only power vested being influence.

sicker · Post by **sicker** » 19 Sep 2004, 17:27

Porty , to the best of my limited knowledge the Scottish Provost is the equivolent to the English Mayor. Just thought Portobello being in Scotland , Provost would be far more appropriate

John

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Sep 2004, 17:36

Look Sicker, this is my project and I will decide what the Mayor is going to be called. If you want a Provost then start a Provost thread. We will then have a Mayor-off to decide who the winner is going to be. If you dont want to live in a Mayor led Portobello then perhaps you should sell up and move a bit closer to the Provost ruled Edinburgh.

sicker · Post by **sicker** » 19 Sep 2004, 18:10

I do apologise Porty, just trying to look after my Scottish heritage.

John

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 19 Sep 2004, 18:23

So how about a few more nominatons, and then we can hold our election? Now that Porty had defined the role somewhat I'm going to withdraw my nominations for Lawrence and Maureen. I'm keeping Gail though and I'm adding Brenda Molony, editor of the Portobello Reporter.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Sep 2004, 20:58

There was no need to apologise it was gracious of you to do so. I would like to nominate: Phil Cunningham but he lives way up North. Khallid Mir would do a good job. Don't know if Reverend Cook still lives locally but he would be good too. Im struggling to think of a suitable woman? There must be loads out there tho.

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 19 Sep 2004, 21:02

Who is Khallid Mir? The community centre guy?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Sep 2004, 21:35

Jamesie wrote:Who is Khallid Mir? The community centre guy?

Yes and he ran the newsagents too. He or at least his family are opening another business in the high street.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 20 Sep 2004, 18:33

I nominate my Aunty Mary coz she's 94 and has lived here all her life. In my opinion that qualifies her unquestionably. (and she has all her own teeth)

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 20 Sep 2004, 20:03

Porty wrote:
Jamesie wrote:Who is Khallid Mir? The community centre guy?
Yes and he ran the newsagents too. He or at least his family are opening another business in the high street.

He himself runs Elio's chip shop on Duke Street.

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 20 Sep 2004, 20:04

Porty wrote:
Jamesie wrote:I'm guessing this would be after the reversal of the 1896 decision to bring Portobello into Edinburgh?
Not at all, particularly if its not a political role.

Aw, it would be a lot more fun if there was a "Porty Independence" candidate at the next election!

Maybe dressed up in 1896 garb and the like.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 20 Sep 2004, 20:28

It must have been just before Portobello merged with Edinburgh, when Porty had it's own mini Parliament. Think the Exec. would bung us a few million to build a wee parly building on the SP site? They could even recommend the architect and construction teams

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 20 Sep 2004, 22:15

So to recap, our candidates so far appear to be Javid Konscious, Gail Porter, Brenda Molony, Khalid Mir and Aunty May? Would you like to gather your thoughts and submit any further candidates before 9pm tomorrow, when the election will commence.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Sep 2004, 22:20

Phil Cunningham.

Sean connery used to be a lifeguard at the OAP, might be worth a pop? What a coup that would be. Stranger tthings have happened. Another idea might be to have a really bizarre Major like a dog or something like that? We could get some good publicity "Major caught S hitting on Beach" for example"

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 21 Sep 2004, 07:03

Dickie Alexander/Diane Cairns would be my first two choices - I will get slapped for this

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 21 Sep 2004, 11:00

Im warming to the dog Mayor idea. Think of the photo ops.

Mayor with Joe Findlay (Again).

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 21 Sep 2004, 21:39

Mayor Inspects Daisy Park

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 21 Sep 2004, 21:59

Paul Turner, of Buddys Hairdressers.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 21 Sep 2004, 23:09

Ronnie Corbett? Not from porty but I think he would do anything.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 22 Sep 2004, 13:20

Not if he goes on sounding like the Scottish Gas advert!