The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
I read with interest in your last publication (February 23rd), a letter which centred on matters regarding the Spalding western relief road, contained within it a comment was made stating that ‘total disrespect’ had been shown by two of the bodies involved in discussions regarding its construction prior to its eventual commencement plus comments from a South Holland district councillor had caused an element of upset.
Having read the letter through on a number of occasions it brought to mind a situation I encountered in March 2020 which coincided with the commencement of COVID-19.
I had contacted Pinchbeck Parish Council via their website with regards to ongoing traffic matters in Wardentree Lane requesting details about a survey which had been held some months earlier.
Some little while after I received a reply from the parish clerk concisely explaining matters.
Attached to the main reply was a further response from an individual who is and remains both a Pinchbeck parish councillor and a South Holland district councillor which on reading came across as being somewhat undeserved fringing on being disrespectful, his opening line read as follows:
‘Dear Reuben, I am really pleased you have nothing better to do, but you may be aware there is a national health emergency currently paralysing this great country of ours….’
Another couple of icy lines followed and needless to say I replied expressing some concern in regards to his intimation.
I would add I received no further response, my initial thoughts were perhaps I had chosen the wrong time to use the PPC website but in hindsight I think not, but life thankfully did go on at the time and beyond.
It is fully appreciated that people who enter into public service encounter difficulties when having to deal with both local and national issues and outcomes are not always what some would wish.
The most important thing in most situations is that respect, empathy and understanding is given at all levels no matter what, to alienate people by means of throwaway or derogatory comments does have its consequences as history has proven from past events.
Reuben H Holmes
Wardentree Lane
Pinchbeck
