Website praise for Bournemouth councillor comes from... councillor!

'WELL DONE ME': Cllr Ben Grower 'WELL DONE ME': Cllr Ben Grower

THE internet postings were the rarest of things – praise for a councillor.

Only it turns out the man behind the praise for Bournemouth’s Cllr Ben Grower was – Cllr Ben Grower.

This story has caused a bit of a stir. See what other newspapers and bloggers are saying - just follow the links on the right

He has used the Echo’s website to praise himself and other Labour members under the name ‘Omegaman’.

Under one surf reef story he wrote: “At least two councillors seem to be concerned about this mess. Well done Cllrs Ratcliffe and Grower.” Cllr Basil Ratcliffe is a Conservative councillor who has been sceptical about the reef.

On another about a housing plan in Kinson he wrote: “I have friends who live in the area. They say councillors Ted Taylor and Ben Grower fought hard against the proposals.”

This story has caused a bit of a stir. See what other newspapers and bloggers are saying - just follow the links on the right

And on one about the expansion of a dentist’s surgery he wrote: “Just shows that the area does have councillors who care about their residents.

“Well done Ted Taylor, Ben Grower and Beryl Baxter.”

‘Omegaman’ is registered with an address containing Cllr Grower’s name, which does not appear to other readers. When contacted, Cllr Grower initially suggested several people had access to his computer and said: “It could be anybody. It could be me, it could be Santa Claus.”

But he later said: “I have done nothing against the law. And probably next time I will just use a different pseudonym.”

Cllr Grower said responsibility lies with the Daily Echo because people can post under assumed names, and that the comments were only fun that no-one took seriously.

When asked if his approach was appropriate given his public role, he claimed members of other parties did the same.

Leader of the Council and the Conservative group Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin said: “Councillors need to be above reproach and they need to be very careful to avoid anything that could be seen as deceiving the public.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Cllr Claire Smith said: “I think it’s quite funny and tragic when you have to start praising yourself online.

“Your work should stand on its own.”

THE Echo does respect its readers’ right to anonymity but we felt that when a councillor pretends to be somebody else to improve his reputation that it is of sufficient public interest to tell people about it.
Nick Rowe, website editor - no really...

Comments(141)

charley farley west parley says...
7:07am Tue 13 Jan 09

CAN I SAY I ALWAYS FIND CHARLEY FARLEY FROM WEST PARLEY A MOST AMUSING , WITTY AND GOOD LOOKING ON- LINE COMMENTATOR.

silky says...
7:26am Tue 13 Jan 09

Well done silky for always saying the right thing at the right time.

Seriously though, I think people feel able to post and air their true opinion safe in the knowledge that they are kept anonymous. I for one don't appreciate the Echo revealing personal details of posters, especially to create a pretty boring "scoop".

Emulated says...
7:54am Tue 13 Jan 09

Not only do they publish BH Life as a council propaganda paper, they have a councillor do his spin bit on the web. Desperate me thinks.

john_the_voice_has moved says...
8:03am Tue 13 Jan 09

Dam

Hope they dont find out who I am

john_the_voice_has moved says...
8:10am Tue 13 Jan 09

john_the_voice_has moved wrote:
Dam Hope they dont find out who I am
Yes John, me also.

This is exactly how Natzi Germany started....

overthehills says...
8:32am Tue 13 Jan 09

Most people posting on forums are on their home computers and therefore not anonymous to the forum's owner. Anyone who thinks they are is fooling themselves only! This made me laugh.

BTW, I didn't realise Nazi Germany had the internet - more advanced than I thought.

May I just say that overthehills is a wonderful person and deserves as much self-praise as he/she can manage ;)

Laurie Marsh says...
9:44am Tue 13 Jan 09

Any "REAL PEOPLE" out there?
Apart from me of course!
Hello......?

gobzilla says...
10:02am Tue 13 Jan 09

i am saying nowt.

pete woodley says...
10:54am Tue 13 Jan 09

At last grower has been exposed,how stupid and despicable can a councillor get,and even tried to deny it to the Echo,as many know i pointed this out ages ago,and had nasty comments from grower which i reported to the standards committee,but the "old pals act" came in and nothing got done.Well done Nick Rowe for showing up this very dubious individual,who is a disgrace to the council.He should be suspended,but "all pals together" will reign.

Lord Jesus says...
11:46am Tue 13 Jan 09

None of you are beyond my view.

Learn to live together and accept the weakness of others with your own strengths

gobzilla says...
11:49am Tue 13 Jan 09


osy

your sedation is wearing off again

In Absentia says...
12:55pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Interesting. Could the Echo also investigate the user 'whitereef' then? Most of us were convinced that user was a Tory Councillor from Winton or Moordown.

djd says...
1:21pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Self praise is not flattery !!!

winton50 says...
2:16pm Tue 13 Jan 09

I don't know what's worse - praising himself or being so thick to not know that he could be traced and outed.Politicians always seem to think they are so clever they will never get caught.

Surely he should have taken advantage of the interweb facilities at the local libraries?


Numpty.

silky says...
2:27pm Tue 13 Jan 09

overthehills wrote:
Most people posting on forums are on their home computers and therefore not anonymous to the forum's owner. Anyone who thinks they are is fooling themselves only! This made me laugh. BTW, I didn't realise Nazi Germany had the internet - more advanced than I thought. May I just say that overthehills is a wonderful person and deserves as much self-praise as he/she can manage ;)
I wasn't referring to anonymity to the forum owner, I was referring to anonymity to the other forum users. Glad to give you a laugh though, overthehills. If, indeed, that is your real name....

magicmonkey says...
2:46pm Tue 13 Jan 09

How pathetic! Utter rubbish from man who likes to see himself as a leader of others. What nonsense. And not even having the guts to admit it straight away.
I've told him what I think. Do the same if you're of a mind:
ben.grower@bournemou
th.gov.uk




Albo says...
3:09pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Albert O'Balsam of Wyke Regis is the best person EVER.

100% of FACT.

Megaman says...
4:17pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Well done to the Echo's staff for calling this guy out. A councillor using sock puppets to praise himself is very weak. It reveals a lot about his character (or lack of) and demonstrates massive insecurity. Voters have a right to know about deceitful activities committed by those they have given power to. Thanks.

pete woodley says...
4:29pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Megaman wrote:
Well done to the Echo's staff for calling this guy out. A councillor using sock puppets to praise himself is very weak. It reveals a lot about his character (or lack of) and demonstrates massive insecurity. Voters have a right to know about deceitful activities committed by those they have given power to. Thanks.
I wonder if Ted Taylor and Beryl Baxter condone his behaviour,as fellow councillors for Kinson South,we should hope not.

DailyView says...
4:42pm Tue 13 Jan 09

And to think that Mr. Grower is also a member of the Standards Committee. However, I am at a loss as to why some think that other councillors on the same ward are tarred with the same brush. It would however, be some thing to find out if there are others who self opinionate themselves.

Some members no doubt also.


Bosskom says...
5:27pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Another councillor on an ego trip

rayc says...
5:29pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Why be surprised? Councils have a huge publicity machine telling us how good they are for us, with never a mention of how bad, so it's no great shock to know that individual councillors bend the truth.

Zzzz says...
5:29pm Tue 13 Jan 09

I always thought omegaman was an idiot. Turns out he is!

Woodlanda says...
7:39pm Tue 13 Jan 09

S'pose it explains why he hasn't got the time to spend in his ward, unlike the other two Labour representatives.

pete woodley says...
7:49pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Woodlanda wrote:
S'pose it explains why he hasn't got the time to spend in his ward, unlike the other two Labour representatives.
Exactly,we never see him even at election times.

Kate1980 says...
8:58pm Tue 13 Jan 09

I am absolutely LIVID this man has bragged about dental services in the area. I was told no dentists as far as SOUTHAMPTON could take me as an NHS patient. I eventually had to travel to FRANCE to see a dentist because I was in agony, and was treated the very same day, at a third of the NHS price. How DARE this man say he's improved services like this, when people are having to live in agony because they can't get, or afford, a dentist? I don't usually say such things, but I hope he suffers as I had to.

John T says...
9:00pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Was Cllr Grower photographed on the beach end of the pier because the other comedians who are Councillors were performing their normal dirty tricks at the other end of the pier show?

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
9:14pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Stephen Bailey what a nasty piece of cheap shot journalism

Why are the Daily Echo allowing this form of humiliation of a public figure?

I think its become obvious to many of us that this paper has a deep antipathy towards local councillors

Cllr Grower has a wife and children how does the reporter even know for 'definite' it wasnt another member of Cllr Growers family posting on this site?

It seems the Daily Echo thinks that local politicians deserve to be abused- so what if he bigs up his colleagues or even himself Bournemouth Hospital allows their staff to nominate themselves for awards whats wrong with praising yourself (or more likely defending yourself) on here against abusive/critical comments from members of the public

Get over it Daily Echo


pete woodley says...
9:57pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Fiona Muscliffe Throop wrote:
Stephen Bailey what a nasty piece of cheap shot journalism

Why are the Daily Echo allowing this form of humiliation of a public figure?

I think its become obvious to many of us that this paper has a deep antipathy towards local councillors

Cllr Grower has a wife and children how does the reporter even know for 'definite' it wasnt another member of Cllr Growers family posting on this site?

It seems the Daily Echo thinks that local politicians deserve to be abused- so what if he bigs up his colleagues or even himself Bournemouth Hospital allows their staff to nominate themselves for awards whats wrong with praising yourself (or more likely defending yourself) on here against abusive/critical comments from members of the public

Get over it Daily Echo

Leave stephen Bailey alone,and admit to us that you serve on a committee with grower,most of us here are fully aware of you.

Woodlanda says...
10:02pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Fiona Muscliffe Throop wrote:
Stephen Bailey what a nasty piece of cheap shot journalism Why are the Daily Echo allowing this form of humiliation of a public figure? I think its become obvious to many of us that this paper has a deep antipathy towards local councillors Cllr Grower has a wife and children how does the reporter even know for 'definite' it wasnt another member of Cllr Growers family posting on this site? It seems the Daily Echo thinks that local politicians deserve to be abused- so what if he bigs up his colleagues or even himself Bournemouth Hospital allows their staff to nominate themselves for awards whats wrong with praising yourself (or more likely defending yourself) on here against abusive/critical comments from members of the public Get over it Daily Echo
Possibly nothing wrong with drawing attention to what you may feel you have done that's worthwhile - but not hiding your identity while doing it and posing as a third party.

son of omegaman says...
10:07pm Tue 13 Jan 09

I am reading it all - keep it up it is really great to read all the comment. My dad would be proud!

pete woodley says...
10:16pm Tue 13 Jan 09

son of omegaman wrote:
I am reading it all - keep it up it is really great to read all the comment. My dad would be proud!
Are you sure he's your dad,it could be another lie.

son of omegaman says...
10:21pm Tue 13 Jan 09

pete woodley wrote:
son of omegaman wrote: I am reading it all - keep it up it is really great to read all the comment. My dad would be proud!
Are you sure he's your dad,it could be another lie.
Are you sure you are your father's son

son of omegaman says...
10:24pm Tue 13 Jan 09

My dad says I must go to bed now - nighty night

mrmrmr says...
10:28pm Tue 13 Jan 09

I think it is great that councillors are being exposed in this way. What a pathetic cheap trick this councillor has tried to pull on readers! I’m annoyed that people are standing up for him and criticising the echo for bringing to light something that is most definitely in the public interest.

I hope Mr Grower feels well and truly embarrassed. It is reflective of his low opinion of himself that he has had to publicly praise himself in such a fashion. If he was satisfied that the public admired his work then there would have been no need for his actions.

Councillors hold far too much power to be acting in such an immature way. Is someone who stoops to this level really suited to his role in the Council?

son of omegaman says...
10:35pm Tue 13 Jan 09

pete woodley wrote:
son of omegaman wrote:
pete woodley wrote:
son of omegaman wrote: I am reading it all - keep it up it is really great to read all the comment. My dad would be proud!
Are you sure he's your dad,it could be another lie.
Are you sure you are your father's son
Yes you could be a grower,same idiotic responses and stupidity,grow up sonny.i am sure about my father,you obviously are not.Think of something original,or stick to your comics.
Now thats not just fair - dad has had to get me out of bed to reply and I was having such a nice dream.
If I am late for school tomorrow it will be all your fault because I have overslept.

Nick2 says...
10:48pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Well I thought it was great. Just another sign of how much you can really trust the politicians.

Quote from the Forum..
The real reason politicians try so hard to get re-elected is that they would hate to have to make a living under the laws they've passed..

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
11:26pm Tue 13 Jan 09

To be honest I think the Daily Echo should be ashamed of itself because this story is ridiculous

I actually laughed out loud when I read the article (while I was in the queue at Tesco's)

I laughed out loud...then I felt very sad
at how petty our local paper is


amused says...
5:38am Wed 14 Jan 09

What a surpise a Councillor who tell Porkies, most of them couldn't lie straight in bed. After reading some of the abuse to toers on here I am glad we are annonymous as I would fear a visit from some.

John T says...
8:24am Wed 14 Jan 09

Could the Echo in its normal unbiased (sic) way name and shame any Conservative Councillors in Bournemouth or Poole who are also masquerading in a similar way on this site?
At very least,if they are not aware of any, could the Echo at least categorically declare this to be the case?

Geoff-Kinson says...
8:45am Wed 14 Jan 09

Whilst I cannot defend Cllr Grower praising himself in this way, surely we all have the right to remain anonymous when posting?
I was approached by a regular poster on site at an event I was attending last summer who knew who I was. How was this information obtained ?

John T says...
8:48am Wed 14 Jan 09

pete woodley wrote:
At last grower has been exposed,how stupid and despicable can a councillor get,and even tried to deny it to the Echo,as many know i pointed this out ages ago,and had nasty comments from grower which i reported to the standards committee,but the "old pals act" came in and nothing got done.Well done Nick Rowe for showing up this very dubious individual,who is a disgrace to the council.He should be suspended,but "all pals together" will reign.
As I recall, you reported Cllr Grower to the Standards Committee for making it public knowledge that you did not bother to vote at the last local elections as revealed by the Council's marked register. You probably thought this information was confidential, just as many of us did when we reveal our private information to register on this website. No doubt, you would vote, if you could be bothered to, against the Echo disclosing the confidential information it holds on contributors to this website. I am sure Nick Rowe has things he could let us know about you, if we were in the least bit interested.

The_Flying_Trouser says...
8:48am Wed 14 Jan 09

Dear Daily Echo,

Please, please, please don't reveal my true identity.

It would damage the world at large if the myth and magic surrounding the analytical super hero "The Flying Trouser" were to be vanquished.

Much love, as ever,

Barack. x

The_Flying_Trouser says...
8:58am Wed 14 Jan 09

Whilst it is a bit sad and pathetic to extol your own virtues in any forum or media, I do think that this issue needs to be held in context.

At the end of the day, when I read a comment, that comment is, in my mind, the view of one person and one person only.

So, if I read a comment saying "Well done to Arthur Arbuthnot QC, MP, PDQ, ASAP" I still retain the intelligence and mental capacity to judge for myself whether Arthur is worthy such praise, if any.

This sort of thing will happened in an on-line world where inhabitants of that world are, rightly, given freedom of expression.

Have you ever heard of Wikipedia? Created and edited by all, and should be judged as such.

John T says...
9:05am Wed 14 Jan 09

The Flying Trouser
I have only one word to say to you....Pants!

oneshortleg says...
9:16am Wed 14 Jan 09

Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!

amused says...
9:18am Wed 14 Jan 09

Fiona Muscliffe Throop wrote:
To be honest I think the Daily Echo should be ashamed of itself because this story is ridiculous I actually laughed out loud when I read the article (while I was in the queue at Tesco's) I laughed out loud...then I felt very sad at how petty our local paper is
Not petty we are entitled to know if our ELECTED representitives are masquerading on a website, self praise is no reccomendation.

Megaman says...
9:18am Wed 14 Jan 09

Congrats to Cllr Grower, he has been made a notable public example of a sock puppet on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Sockpuppet_
(Internet)

Megaman says...
9:19am Wed 14 Jan 09

Congrats to Cllr Grower, he has been made a notable public example of a sock puppet on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Sockpuppet_
(Internet)

noel1 says...
9:59am Wed 14 Jan 09

oneshortleg wrote:
Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!
No, I believe there is a public interest clause in the Data Protection Act.

And even if there isn't and Mr Grower took it to court the judge would probably point out that the law was there to protect our legitimate data not assist in an attempt to mis-lead people.

As others have said self praise is no praise at all.

You should be ashamed of your self Mr Grower, my father was a fellow councilor with you and would never had done such a low and despicable thing as this.

No wonder many honest, hard working councilors get are held in unjustifiably low public esteem when the self-publicists like you do things like this.

oneshortleg says...
10:14am Wed 14 Jan 09

noel1 wrote:
oneshortleg wrote: Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!
No, I believe there is a public interest clause in the Data Protection Act. And even if there isn't and Mr Grower took it to court the judge would probably point out that the law was there to protect our legitimate data not assist in an attempt to mis-lead people. As others have said self praise is no praise at all. You should be ashamed of your self Mr Grower, my father was a fellow councilor with you and would never had done such a low and despicable thing as this. No wonder many honest, hard working councilors get are held in unjustifiably low public esteem when the self-publicists like you do things like this.
Whilst i take your point and yes he has been stupid, if i signed up for something that promised me anonimity i would be a bit upset if my details were then released because someone deemed it in the public interest.

Megaman says...
10:17am Wed 14 Jan 09

oneshortleg wrote:
Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!
I'm sorry but the councillor has no recourse to legal action. The newspaper would not have taken the decision to publish this lightly and would have considered any possible legal ramifications.

By registering his "Omegaman" account Cllr Grower agreed to the site's terms and conditions which state:

20.

If we find your use of this site seriously inappropriate, offensive or disruptive, we may use information we have about you to stop such conduct, and this may include informing relevant third parties such as your employer, school, email provider or, in the case of any suspected unlawful activity, the police.

oneshortleg says...
10:19am Wed 14 Jan 09

Megaman wrote:
oneshortleg wrote: Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!
I'm sorry but the councillor has no recourse to legal action. The newspaper would not have taken the decision to publish this lightly and would have considered any possible legal ramifications. By registering his "Omegaman" account Cllr Grower agreed to the site's terms and conditions which state: 20. If we find your use of this site seriously inappropriate, offensive or disruptive, we may use information we have about you to stop such conduct, and this may include informing relevant third parties such as your employer, school, email provider or, in the case of any suspected unlawful activity, the police.
I stand corrected

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
10:31am Wed 14 Jan 09

oneshortleg wrote:
Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!
I agree with oneshortleg

Take legal action AND go to the Press Complaints Commission

Daily Echo have stooped pretty low with this article
They have been quite underhanded

Like I said before they tend to have a strong dislike of local politicians

If legal action is taken maybe they will think twice before attempting to humiliate people in their paper




pete woodley says...
10:40am Wed 14 Jan 09

John T wrote:
pete woodley wrote:
At last grower has been exposed,how stupid and despicable can a councillor get,and even tried to deny it to the Echo,as many know i pointed this out ages ago,and had nasty comments from grower which i reported to the standards committee,but the "old pals act" came in and nothing got done.Well done Nick Rowe for showing up this very dubious individual,who is a disgrace to the council.He should be suspended,but "all pals together" will reign.
As I recall, you reported Cllr Grower to the Standards Committee for making it public knowledge that you did not bother to vote at the last local elections as revealed by the Council's marked register. You probably thought this information was confidential, just as many of us did when we reveal our private information to register on this website. No doubt, you would vote, if you could be bothered to, against the Echo disclosing the confidential information it holds on contributors to this website. I am sure Nick Rowe has things he could let us know about you, if we were in the least bit interested.
I have nothing to hide and do give my name,you know that john,so whats your point,as explained by another poster,the Echo were within their rights.Actually john i reported grower for other things,but as he sits on standards committee,whats the point.

onelongleg says...
10:50am Wed 14 Jan 09

PULL THE OTHER ONE. tee hee.

John T says...
10:55am Wed 14 Jan 09

oneshortleg wrote:
Megaman wrote: oneshortleg wrote: Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!I'm sorry but the councillor has no recourse to legal action. The newspaper would not have taken the decision to publish this lightly and would have considered any possible legal ramifications. By registering his Perhaps Section 20 of the Echo's terms and conditions on use of this site should be amended to read 'we may use information we have about you and this may include informing relevant third parties such as your employer or anybody Nick Rowe chooses to bleat to!'
Rather appropriately, my security word for this posting was 'pull-soon'.
P.S. I understand Poole Council's infamous spy organisation are looking for new recruits!

georgeianbladder says...
11:14am Wed 14 Jan 09

Old saying - He who looks like Muppet acts like Muppet.


In Absentia says...
11:20am Wed 14 Jan 09

Fiona Muscliffe Throop wrote:
oneshortleg wrote: Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!
I agree with oneshortleg Take legal action AND go to the Press Complaints Commission Daily Echo have stooped pretty low with this article They have been quite underhanded Like I said before they tend to have a strong dislike of local politicians If legal action is taken maybe they will think twice before attempting to humiliate people in their paper
Dear Fiona

You're making a bit of a fool of yourself now. Amazingly, this story has even reached the Daily Telegraph today. Ben Grower was a fool to come on these boards anonymously and start praising himself and his ward colleagues.

If Mr Grower escalates this towards legal action he will only make himself look more stupid. He ought to apologise and keep his head down for a bit.

DailyView says...
12:16pm Wed 14 Jan 09

Why is Fiona acting as she is against the Daily Echo. Surely it is the duty of a local paper to let the general public know that we have a Councillor who is using a public system to hype up himself, using other user names from his own.

Perhaps you being a perspective or possible Cllr in time to come, you find this a good PR route.

In my opinion it is exactly the same as giving false information on an application form and a CV. Either way you are given a false representation of yourself. For your gain.


pete woodley says...
12:34pm Wed 14 Jan 09

DailyView wrote:
Why is Fiona acting as she is against the Daily Echo. Surely it is the duty of a local paper to let the general public know that we have a Councillor who is using a public system to hype up himself, using other user names from his own.

Perhaps you being a perspective or possible Cllr in time to come, you find this a good PR route.

In my opinion it is exactly the same as giving false information on an application form and a CV. Either way you are given a false representation of yourself. For your gain.

On this i agree,could it be because she sits on a committee with grower.The best pr route is surely, to be seen around your ward,meeting and talking openly to the residents and taking up their grievances.What has happened,takes the mickey out of the electors,and voting numbers will go down instead of up,its very low as it stands.Above all be HONEST.

Linguist says...
12:56pm Wed 14 Jan 09

The_Flying_Trouser wrote:
Dear Daily Echo, Please, please, please don't reveal my true identity. It would damage the world at large if the myth and magic surrounding the analytical super hero "The Flying Trouser" were to be vanquished. Much love, as ever, Barack. x
Just a guess but.... you wouldn't be the 'leader of the council' would you, flying trouserman?

PoisonedPen says...
2:28pm Wed 14 Jan 09

Fiona Muscliffe Throop wrote:
oneshortleg wrote:
Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!
I agree with oneshortleg

Take legal action AND go to the Press Complaints Commission

Daily Echo have stooped pretty low with this article
They have been quite underhanded

Like I said before they tend to have a strong dislike of local politicians

If legal action is taken maybe they will think twice before attempting to humiliate people in their paper



Absolutely.

I don't recall the Privacy Policy of this site saying 'We reserve the right to publish your identity to the world' when I signed up.

The Daily Echo's actions in violating the trust of their users are far more significant than Cllr Grower posting about himself in the third person.

None of you commenting here can now trust what this company will do with your personal information.

John T says...
2:44pm Wed 14 Jan 09

Well said,PoisonedPen,who
ever you might be.

pete woodley says...
2:58pm Wed 14 Jan 09

A lot more people will trust the Echo,more than they would councillors now we know how devious and slimey some can act.

John T says...
3:29pm Wed 14 Jan 09

Blimey,pete woodley sticking up for the Echo.Whatever next,Pete?..you'll be rejoining the Liberal Party!

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
3:53pm Wed 14 Jan 09

PoisonedPen wrote:
Fiona Muscliffe Throop wrote:
oneshortleg wrote:
Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!
I agree with oneshortleg

Take legal action AND go to the Press Complaints Commission

Daily Echo have stooped pretty low with this article
They have been quite underhanded

Like I said before they tend to have a strong dislike of local politicians

If legal action is taken maybe they will think twice before attempting to humiliate people in their paper



Absolutely.

I don't recall the Privacy Policy of this site saying 'We reserve the right to publish your identity to the world' when I signed up.

The Daily Echo's actions in violating the trust of their users are far more significant than Cllr Grower posting about himself in the third person.

None of you commenting here can now trust what this company will do with your personal information.
The paper is finding this very amusing
its pleased with itself that this story has gone worldwide

I hope Cllr Grower doesnt take this to heart

30 odd years seving the public means absolutely nothing to the Echo as long as Nick and Stephen can get a cheap laugh and a bit of recognition thats all that matters...


frying leper says...
4:08pm Wed 14 Jan 09

Blow me down Doreen, its just been mentioned on CNN WORLD NEWS 4pm that Mr Grower is now more famous than Kevin Vaughan the guy who lives on the streets .

The_Flying_Trouser says...
4:14pm Wed 14 Jan 09

Linguist wrote:
The_Flying_Trouser wrote: Dear Daily Echo, Please, please, please don't reveal my true identity. It would damage the world at large if the myth and magic surrounding the analytical super hero "The Flying Trouser" were to be vanquished. Much love, as ever, Barack. x
Just a guess but.... you wouldn't be the 'leader of the council' would you, flying trouserman?
No sir,

Just a concerned Super Hero, with my opinionated pants on the outside of my analytical trousers.

"To the ButtonFly-Mobile... QUICKLY!!"

pete woodley says...
4:22pm Wed 14 Jan 09

John T wrote:
Blimey,pete woodley sticking up for the Echo.Whatever next,Pete?..you'll be rejoining the Liberal Party!
Dont think so john,there are good and bad in all walks of society,and politics brings out the worst in some people,i am known for straight talking and honesty,which would not fit in with most politicians.Most politicians are in league with each other.As long as the Echo gives them good publicity,they are all for it,but when the truth and facts get out,the clique,rally around and condemn the Echo,lucky they are in the minority,and most of would like to know the truth and how we are being fooled with.

DailyView says...
4:53pm Wed 14 Jan 09

Fiona Muscliffe Throop wrote:
PoisonedPen wrote:
Fiona Muscliffe Throop wrote:
oneshortleg wrote:
Yes this councillor has acted badly, however the Daily Echo has acted illegally by revealing his true identity. This is a Blatant act against the Data Protection Act and no doubt Mr Growers Human Rights I hope he is taking the appropriate legal action. Please not I am not a councillor nor a friend or family member of MrGrower, just your average bloke looking at the bigger picture!
I agree with oneshortleg

Take legal action AND go to the Press Complaints Commission

Daily Echo have stooped pretty low with this article
They have been quite underhanded

Like I said before they tend to have a strong dislike of local politicians

If legal action is taken maybe they will think twice before attempting to humiliate people in their paper



Absolutely.

I don't recall the Privacy Policy of this site saying 'We reserve the right to publish your identity to the world' when I signed up.

The Daily Echo's actions in violating the trust of their users are far more significant than Cllr Grower posting about himself in the third person.

None of you commenting here can now trust what this company will do with your personal information.
The paper is finding this very amusing
its pleased with itself that this story has gone worldwide

I hope Cllr Grower doesnt take this to heart

30 odd years seving the public means absolutely nothing to the Echo as long as Nick and Stephen can get a cheap laugh and a bit of recognition thats all that matters...

Fiona, you are making it amusing yourself. The reporter is given a story to persue, he detects, collects, writes. It is edited, and then published under the authority of the Editor, neither of which you have mentioned. Nick Rowe is the online Editor (or one of them) who only copies on stories that have already been seen in the Daily Echo as you pointed out yourself.

Do you browse the papers to see if the story is elsewhere, no one else does. The fact is that Mr. Grower went against his constitution of local government, or, was in some way aware of it taking place. Not doing anything about it was for his own gain.

Whether you work with Mr. Grower on some committee he belongs to, or he is a representative in your Dept of Mental Health. You shoul not be condoning what he has done. By doing this, you are saying that it is alright for all local officials to do the same.


potsandkettles says...
10:09pm Wed 14 Jan 09

What Ms Throop fails to address is the fact that this man has abused his position for his own gain and brought the council into direpute. You have to ask yourself: if he can be deceitful about this, what else can he be deceitful about? It might seem trivial to some, but he's done himself damage. Of course, he's not the only one at it - the leader of another southern council beginning with F and ending with m does it all the time, both on local news websites and local forums. Tragic indeed.

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
11:17pm Wed 14 Jan 09

potsandkettles wrote:
What Ms Throop fails to address is the fact that this man has abused his position for his own gain and brought the council into direpute. You have to ask yourself: if he can be deceitful about this, what else can he be deceitful about? It might seem trivial to some, but he's done himself damage. Of course, he's not the only one at it - the leader of another southern council beginning with F and ending with m does it all the time, both on local news websites and local forums. Tragic indeed.

I personally dont feel this matter does bring the council into disrepute but I do feel the Daily Echo has seen fit to bring the council into disrepute (for its own amusement)

I feel some perspective is urgently needed now

This is a forum where individuals post calling themselves such names as zombiejesus and fedupwithjobsworths it isnt a (wholly) serious forum

And in answer to DailyView's comment...

''Whether you work with Mr. Grower on some committee he belongs to, or he is a representative in your Dept of Mental Health. You shoul not be condoning what he has done. By doing this, you are saying that it is alright for all local officials to do the same.''


I respect Cllr Grower because he takes his role on the NHS committee seriously.
He is one of the few councillor representatives on the NHS Board of Governors who makes a meaningful contribution to the meeting,he actually stays for the duration of the meeting (others from other local councils walk out halfway through)





DailyView says...
12:08am Thu 15 Jan 09

Well Fiona if as you say Mr. Ben Grower is as good as you say, and is committed to what he does. Why then must he raise his own prowes on the internet by using pseudonyms and other usernames.

You cannot blame the media for this, he made the mistake himself and got caught out. It has caused problems within the Council as a whole, and the Leader, Cllr MacLoughlin is not a happy man as seen on the televised news this evening.

Standards Fiona, Cllr's are meant to have Standards.


frying leper says...
9:53am Thu 15 Jan 09

I think I know him he is a part time sales assistant in allied carpets onthe underlay.

wonderway says...
9:57am Thu 15 Jan 09

Just face the facts this councillor has tried to boost his over inflaited ego. He's been caught red handed trying to gain praise were its not due, we elect these councillors to inprove our wards and Bournemouth as whole. It is about time politic's is removed from council agendas and get this type of ego seeking idiots removed and elect councillors who want to improve Bournemouth and not their party line or over inflated ego's. The council have to face the facts your man management stinks and your political line is making this town a total joke as a councillor you are elected and paid to do the job now do it, not try to gain to gain browine points. Do your job you were elected to do praise will come from knowing you've done your best.

silky says...
10:03am Thu 15 Jan 09

Geoff-Kinson wrote:
Whilst I cannot defend Cllr Grower praising himself in this way, surely we all have the right to remain anonymous when posting? I was approached by a regular poster on site at an event I was attending last summer who knew who I was. How was this information obtained ?
I agree that we have the right to remain anonymous unless lawbreaking is involved, Geoff. Then it should be passed to the relevant authorities, not splashed across the front page! With regard to being approached last summer, I seem to remember that you have given more information on yourself than I would have felt happy to give myself. It's amazing how one or two small pieces of info can be pieced together by those who are regular readers on here. I recommend everyone if very guarded when posting info on here. I treat this place the same as exchanging opinions to a stranger on the street.

John T says...
10:52am Thu 15 Jan 09

silky
What is the point of being guarded on this website if the Echo feel at liberty to publicise your personal details to the World?!
And before the Echo publicise who I am,I will let everyone know that I do not condone Cllr Grower's behaviour and nor am I one of the few remaining supporters of his Party in this area.
(Sorry if part of this posting sounds as egotistical as Cllr Grower).

silky says...
11:20am Thu 15 Jan 09

John T wrote:
silky What is the point of being guarded on this website if the Echo feel at liberty to publicise your personal details to the World?! And before the Echo publicise who I am,I will let everyone know that I do not condone Cllr Grower's behaviour and nor am I one of the few remaining supporters of his Party in this area. (Sorry if part of this posting sounds as egotistical as Cllr Grower).
You don't sound egostistical John T! When I talk about information I don't just mean facts like name, area, etc but the everyday things about your life. For instance, what meetings you attend and precise details about your road/neighbourhood etc I just think sometimes it's easy to let things slip that can be pieced together. Not only on this forum but plenty of other locally connected forums. THe risk with this one is there is a direct route to the printing press if the Echo feels anything is in the public interest.

John T says...
2:25pm Thu 15 Jan 09

silky
Thanks, and I do appreciate and wholeheartedly agree with your words of warning to one and all.

frying leper says...
2:49pm Thu 15 Jan 09

All the signs are that it is a challenging job they have got their eyes firmly on you and me.They are outsourced to a third party host company, they then go through what the staff call a Spammer, there is an office close to me unfortunately I don't know any of the workers there. fry xx

That's what I've been told anyway

frying leper says...
3:55pm Thu 15 Jan 09

THE LAST MAN ON EARTH

starring

CHARLTON HESTON
as
OMEG MAN

addmission 9d

John T says...
5:37pm Thu 15 Jan 09

Shouldn't the admission be 42p (on the Echo's website manager for his dastardly breach of confidence)?!

Geoff-Kinson says...
8:39pm Thu 15 Jan 09

silky wrote:
Geoff-Kinson wrote: Whilst I cannot defend Cllr Grower praising himself in this way, surely we all have the right to remain anonymous when posting? I was approached by a regular poster on site at an event I was attending last summer who knew who I was. How was this information obtained ?
I agree that we have the right to remain anonymous unless lawbreaking is involved, Geoff. Then it should be passed to the relevant authorities, not splashed across the front page! With regard to being approached last summer, I seem to remember that you have given more information on yourself than I would have felt happy to give myself. It's amazing how one or two small pieces of info can be pieced together by those who are regular readers on here. I recommend everyone if very guarded when posting info on here. I treat this place the same as exchanging opinions to a stranger on the street.
I take your point silky.
Perhaps best not to take any further part if this happens !

frying leper says...
9:10pm Thu 15 Jan 09

frying leper aint my real name its the name of next doors budgie, I'm Paddy Murphy and i live a long long way away in Tipparary its a long way to go.agh agh agh agh whos a pretty boy then ah ah ah aaaah.

potsandkettles says...
11:22am Fri 16 Jan 09

"I personally dont feel this matter does bring the council into disrepute."

Of course it does. By using this deceit, the councillor has betrayed his constituents' trust and fallen foul of the Standards he swore to uphold.

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
3:05pm Fri 16 Jan 09

John T wrote:
silky
Thanks, and I do appreciate and wholeheartedly agree with your words of warning to one and all.
Its now up to the electorate in Kinson to decide Cllr Growers fate at the next local elections


I think also that this serves as a warning to all Cllr's not to treat these type of sites lightly in the future

Its not a good idea to allow others- ie friends or family to post on their pc's because the website host has details of all their ip numbers and could jump to conclusions....


pete woodley says...
4:12pm Fri 16 Jan 09

Fiona Muscliffe Throop wrote:
John T wrote:
silky
Thanks, and I do appreciate and wholeheartedly agree with your words of warning to one and all.
Its now up to the electorate in Kinson to decide Cllr Growers fate at the next local elections


I think also that this serves as a warning to all Cllr's not to treat these type of sites lightly in the future

Its not a good idea to allow others- ie friends or family to post on their pc's because the website host has details of all their ip numbers and could jump to conclusions....

Stop going on, once more, about friends or family using pc's,it was grower himself,and he HAS admitted it.As said by others, your defence of grower,is quite amusing,and must make plenty wonder about the type of person that serves on N.H.S. committees,and how anyone can support someone being very devious,and to blame Stephen Bailey,Nick Rowe,and the Echo,Very few will agree on that,but still you go on ?.

John T says...
4:47pm Fri 16 Jan 09

If you were not 'known for your straight talking and honesty'(not to mention humility),pete,it would be a fitting conclusion to this saga if you were to register as Omegaman 2 and have the final word...Until then, the fuss is all Greek to me!

pete woodley says...
5:00pm Fri 16 Jan 09

John T wrote:
If you were not 'known for your straight talking and honesty'(not to mention humility),pete,it would be a fitting conclusion to this saga if you were to register as Omegaman 2 and have the final word...Until then, the fuss is all Greek to me!
Come on John,are you being racial whats it got to do with the Greeks,grower is not a greek.there is another suitable word like it.

frying leper says...
5:37pm Fri 16 Jan 09

mozambique

silky says...
5:53pm Fri 16 Jan 09

pete woodley wrote:
John T wrote: If you were not 'known for your straight talking and honesty'(not to mention humility),pete,it would be a fitting conclusion to this saga if you were to register as Omegaman 2 and have the final word...Until then, the fuss is all Greek to me!
Come on John,are you being racial whats it got to do with the Greeks,grower is not a greek.there is another suitable word like it.
Leek?

silky says...
5:55pm Fri 16 Jan 09

Geoff-Kinson wrote:
silky wrote:
Geoff-Kinson wrote: Whilst I cannot defend Cllr Grower praising himself in this way, surely we all have the right to remain anonymous when posting? I was approached by a regular poster on site at an event I was attending last summer who knew who I was. How was this information obtained ?
I agree that we have the right to remain anonymous unless lawbreaking is involved, Geoff. Then it should be passed to the relevant authorities, not splashed across the front page! With regard to being approached last summer, I seem to remember that you have given more information on yourself than I would have felt happy to give myself. It's amazing how one or two small pieces of info can be pieced together by those who are regular readers on here. I recommend everyone if very guarded when posting info on here. I treat this place the same as exchanging opinions to a stranger on the street.
I take your point silky. Perhaps best not to take any further part if this happens !
Oh, don't do that Geoff! I for one enjoy reading your posts. All the best :o)

pete woodley says...
6:14pm Fri 16 Jan 09

Geoff-Kinson wrote:
silky wrote:
Geoff-Kinson wrote: Whilst I cannot defend Cllr Grower praising himself in this way, surely we all have the right to remain anonymous when posting? I was approached by a regular poster on site at an event I was attending last summer who knew who I was. How was this information obtained ?
I agree that we have the right to remain anonymous unless lawbreaking is involved, Geoff. Then it should be passed to the relevant authorities, not splashed across the front page! With regard to being approached last summer, I seem to remember that you have given more information on yourself than I would have felt happy to give myself. It's amazing how one or two small pieces of info can be pieced together by those who are regular readers on here. I recommend everyone if very guarded when posting info on here. I treat this place the same as exchanging opinions to a stranger on the street.
I take your point silky.
Perhaps best not to take any further part if this happens !
Silky's right Geoff,it was so easy to see who you were by what you said in your comments,and as you had a stand there,was i wrong to dare to speak to you,what are you scared of,you are not that important,so who would want to have a go at you,if you cause trouble amongst others,expect some retribution,but why would you want to ?.Carry on Geoff,but be very careful what you say about people,things do get repeated,and often by ones you know,and trust.

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
7:14pm Fri 16 Jan 09

''THE internet postings were the rarest of things – praise for a councillor.''


''The Echo does respect its readers’ right to anonymity but we felt that when a councillor pretends to be somebody else to improve his reputation that it is of sufficient public interest to tell people about it.
Nick Rowe, website editor - no really...''






Yes Cllr Grower made a mistake he trated this online forum friviously and not with the seriousness it deserved

However with regard to the two quotes Ive cut and pasted up there ^^^

The first by Stephen Bailey and the second by the website editor
Im sure you would agree they are quite sarcastic the website editor has made a quip after his name


I find it meanspirited they sound quite disrespectful,contem
ptuous even

Thats what I object to


frying leper says...
9:06pm Fri 16 Jan 09

He is is a trifle put out - silly pudding - I hope he hasn't finished on here, missing him already - cool sweetie. fry xx

omega 3 says...
9:12pm Fri 16 Jan 09

Sounds to me that something fishy is going on -or is that just arounf the "reef".

son of omegaman says...
9:15pm Fri 16 Jan 09

My dad's over the moon - 100 hits - he expects a telegram from the queen tomorrow!

omegaman 2 says...
9:21pm Fri 16 Jan 09

John T wrote:
If you were not 'known for your straight talking and honesty'(not to mention humility),pete,it would be a fitting conclusion to this saga if you were to register as Omegaman 2 and have the final word...Until then, the fuss is all Greek to me!
Good idea - I have taken your adviceand withdraw all I have said. Pete

pete woodley says...
10:03pm Fri 16 Jan 09

son of omegaman wrote:
My dad's over the moon - 100 hits - he expects a telegram from the queen tomorrow!
Would that be one of the Triangle Queens,or Her Majesty.

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
10:23pm Fri 16 Jan 09

I found this posted on another internet site





''The Echo respects its readers’ right to anonymity but we felt that when a councillor pretends to be somebody else to improve his reputation that it is of sufficient public interest to tell people about it.”


Beware journalists who assert that there is a public interest. It’s used for all sorts of shabby and intrusive reasons. It’s not much of a privacy policy that says ‘your data’s private until we decide it’ll make a good story…’
and that’s before you address the issue of whether the privacy policy was comprehensible to the average person


There is an argument that Ben Grower’s personal data has been misused here.

Ben expected that his details, which include his email address, would not be used by the local paper to embarass him publicly.

Let’s think of an example that is less risible and more intrusive. Suppose that a happily married local councillor were to register for the dating section of a newspaper’s website, and placed some adverts in the gay section. Would the newspaper be right to plead public interest while happily using his personal data to stand up a story about his hypocrisy?


pete woodley says...
10:39pm Fri 16 Jan 09

As someone who took a "lot of stick" from grower,who denied being "omegaman",and his actions caused distress, and certainly did not help my health problems,i myself will not let the matter rest.It also caused unecessary friction between myself and Ted Taylor,who i had supported for many years.

son of omegaman says...
10:40pm Fri 16 Jan 09

pete woodley wrote:
son of omegaman wrote: My dad's over the moon - 100 hits - he expects a telegram from the queen tomorrow!
Would that be one of the Triangle Queens,or Her Majesty.
Omegaman 2 please stop trying tp pass yourself off as pete. It only confusses all of us.If you have anytthing to say please keep it in the family.

GAHmusic says...
12:11am Sat 17 Jan 09

To Fiona
Two things about IP addresses
1. Most private homes have dynamic IP addresses that change every time your Pc/router is turned on
2. The information that can be obtained from an IP address by the average person or news paper is scant at best even misleading, on some occasions the only accurate way to know who someone is by an IP address is to obtain the records for the exact time and date from the issuing ISP (Internet Service Provider) as to who the address was leased to at that time and I can assure you they would not give this to a local paper on suspicion of a local councillor bigging himself up on a forum that for the most part is populated by a small number of regulars until the phrase "national coverage" pulls in people from everywhere and they would certainly not give this info to members of the public. IP addresses are recorded by sites involved in financial transactions so legitimate authorities like the police can utilise them in fraud cases. there are many laws and regulations appertaining to the storage and utilisation of data including data protection and RIP and the way these rules are applied varies dependant on circumstance, particularly when provisos are placed in the small print including the old chestnut concerning the passing of data to 3rd party companies for marketing purposes which is very often the cause of an inbox full of spam. I would suggest that anyone signing up to any website that has concerns about anonymity either reads the small print very carefully or doesn't join at all. In this instance I would imagine that the echo had taken advice from very well informed solicitors and that Omegaman had in fact signed away any rights he had both through joining the site and his actions on this site.

pete woodley says...
9:05am Sat 17 Jan 09

GAHmusic wrote:
To Fiona
Two things about IP addresses
1. Most private homes have dynamic IP addresses that change every time your Pc/router is turned on
2. The information that can be obtained from an IP address by the average person or news paper is scant at best even misleading, on some occasions the only accurate way to know who someone is by an IP address is to obtain the records for the exact time and date from the issuing ISP (Internet Service Provider) as to who the address was leased to at that time and I can assure you they would not give this to a local paper on suspicion of a local councillor bigging himself up on a forum that for the most part is populated by a small number of regulars until the phrase "national coverage" pulls in people from everywhere and they would certainly not give this info to members of the public. IP addresses are recorded by sites involved in financial transactions so legitimate authorities like the police can utilise them in fraud cases. there are many laws and regulations appertaining to the storage and utilisation of data including data protection and RIP and the way these rules are applied varies dependant on circumstance, particularly when provisos are placed in the small print including the old chestnut concerning the passing of data to 3rd party companies for marketing purposes which is very often the cause of an inbox full of spam. I would suggest that anyone signing up to any website that has concerns about anonymity either reads the small print very carefully or doesn't join at all. In this instance I would imagine that the echo had taken advice from very well informed solicitors and that Omegaman had in fact signed away any rights he had both through joining the site and his actions on this site.
Informative, and interesting letter,straight to the point.

Laurie Marsh says...
1:10pm Sat 17 Jan 09

Fiona and Pete Woodley,
That has a nice ring!
Are you sure you are not married?
You people are so far "up" yourselves (politically speaking) that you are beyond belief!
The bottom line is that we have some political "hack" trying to self promote himself and you two leap on board!
As you both do at every political opportunity!
Why not let this "deadbeat" sink into political obscurity (as have so many others before him) and get on with your lives!
What exactly are you trying to achieve?
Neither of you are going to influence the next change of government so why dont you take some time out and smell the roses?
You are a long time dead!
Tick...Tick...Tick!

pete woodley says...
4:26pm Sat 17 Jan 09

Laurie Marsh wrote:
Fiona and Pete Woodley,
That has a nice ring!
Are you sure you are not married?
You people are so far "up" yourselves (politically speaking) that you are beyond belief!
The bottom line is that we have some political "hack" trying to self promote himself and you two leap on board!
As you both do at every political opportunity!
Why not let this "deadbeat" sink into political obscurity (as have so many others before him) and get on with your lives!
What exactly are you trying to achieve?
Neither of you are going to influence the next change of government so why dont you take some time out and smell the roses?
You are a long time dead!
Tick...Tick...Tick!
YOU do not know whats being going on,and how much distress grower has caused,so many people have told you to get the facts straight before commenting but you ignore all the comments,so nobody accepts anything you say,not everything is online,you know very little.enough said,your not worth any more comment

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
8:46pm Sat 17 Jan 09

potsandkettles wrote:
"I personally dont feel this matter does bring the council into disrepute."

Of course it does. By using this deceit, the councillor has betrayed his constituents' trust and fallen foul of the Standards he swore to uphold.
As Ive stated previously

I feel the Daily Echo has presented itself in a bad light

From the tone of the article its been evident that pleasure has been derived from humiliating and devaluating Cllr Grower

Its a form of sadism (and immaturity)...
kind of similar to schoolboys pulling the legs of a spider


Its rather sad that journalists on this local newspaper derive satisfaction from embarrassing individuals-its a form of bullying


pete woodley says...
9:42pm Sat 17 Jan 09

Laurie Marsh wrote:
Fiona and Pete Woodley,
That has a nice ring!
Are you sure you are not married?
You people are so far "up" yourselves (politically speaking) that you are beyond belief!
The bottom line is that we have some political "hack" trying to self promote himself and you two leap on board!
As you both do at every political opportunity!
Why not let this "deadbeat" sink into political obscurity (as have so many others before him) and get on with your lives!
What exactly are you trying to achieve?
Neither of you are going to influence the next change of government so why dont you take some time out and smell the roses?
You are a long time dead!
Tick...Tick...Tick!
Do you think Laurie,if i was married to her i could shut her up,she is so close to grower,they make a good couple.By the way what estate is Brisbane on.

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
10:16pm Sat 17 Jan 09


Mr Woodley could you please desist from insulting myself,and other users on here

Thank-you

son of omegaman says...
11:47pm Sat 17 Jan 09

These late nights are doing me no good.Can we not agree a 6.00pm deadline then we can all get some sleep.

mypetrodent osylips says...
10:08am Sun 18 Jan 09

42:9pm above Yesterday night @ brixey road on Tulin moor ( posh END,)0
hope this is helpful if it is

Laurie Marsh says...
11:28am Sun 18 Jan 09

Well done Pete you managed "not to talk to me" for 5 hrs. and 16 minutes!
That was a bit cutting about the "estate" bit!
The difference between me and you is that I dont take myself too seriously!
You have just got out of hospital and I have to tell you that people dont take what us "old f!rts" say too much to heart!
How many of these "deadbeat" politicians have you seen come and go?
How many of them have you promoted because they follow your "party line" thinking?
I know that you and the "blue rinse set" dont see quite eye to eye but who cares?
Have a good life and ENJOY!

pete woodley says...
11:51am Sun 18 Jan 09

Laurie Marsh wrote:
Well done Pete you managed "not to talk to me" for 5 hrs. and 16 minutes!
That was a bit cutting about the "estate" bit!
The difference between me and you is that I dont take myself too seriously!
You have just got out of hospital and I have to tell you that people dont take what us "old f!rts" say too much to heart!
How many of these "deadbeat" politicians have you seen come and go?
How many of them have you promoted because they follow your "party line" thinking?
I know that you and the "blue rinse set" dont see quite eye to eye but who cares?
Have a good life and ENJOY!
Only 5 hours Laurie,i dont normally give in so easy.I am not a party line man,i vote for the person,not the party,as a rule,and to be honest i am more blue than red.I have been very active over my 74 years,and still try to be,but not everything comes out in the press,word of ear,lets me find out a lot of whats going on,and in the last hour i have learnt a lot about the drug dealing going on not half a mile away and what police and council were doing about it.Went to a meeting yesterday and got talking to an ex councillor who agreed there are a lot of dubious councillors from all parties,but in 60 years of politics,i haver never known "self praise" from a councillor like now.You must be older than i thought,but cant figure out some of your way of thinking,and you upset a few like me,back later getting tired.

Fiona Muscliffe Throop says...
12:08pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Laurie Marsh wrote:
Well done Pete you managed "not to talk to me" for 5 hrs. and 16 minutes! That was a bit cutting about the "estate" bit! The difference between me and you is that I dont take myself too seriously! You have just got out of hospital and I have to tell you that people dont take what us "old f!rts" say too much to heart! How many of these "deadbeat" politicians have you seen come and go? How many of them have you promoted because they follow your "party line" thinking? I know that you and the "blue rinse set" dont see quite eye to eye but who cares? Have a good life and ENJOY!
erm 'blue rinse set' are you refering to me Laurie?

''The Blue rinse brigade is a somewhat pejorative term used, particularly in the United Kingdom, to describe elderly middle-class ladies usually of a conservative socio-political persuasion''

The term arises from the blue rinse hairdressing applied to disguise the often yellow tones of grey hair


Thats a bit of a preconception Laurie

Sorry to shatter your illusions but I dont look anything like that:)










Laurie Marsh says...
12:46pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Fiona,
I was born and brought up in the B'm'th area (5 years in Throop)!
I know what I said!
The literal translation of a statement is not always the "true" meaning of the statement!
If you feel that I meant you in my comment, well that is your privilege, I cant help the way that your mind works!
The point that I was (and am) making is that the people who go into bat for for and against these sort of people are known as "party hacks" and to make excuses for poor behaviour by a "party mate" is second rate to say the least!
In my opinion!
Its called FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

Laurie Marsh says...
1:25pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Pete,
I dont really want to upset anyone!
Most of the rubbish that I write is tongue in cheek!
Some is not.
"you must be older than I thought"?
I have had two heart attacks (you dont get much older than that!).
Life is SO good, I enjoy every breath!
Is this bloke Grower worth wasting any effort over?


GAHmusic says...
1:26pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Isn't this all getting a bit boring now. I have a simple philosophy about politicians, if you don't like them, if you don't like their politics, don't vote for them make sure you vote for someone else. Simple.

pete woodley says...
1:44pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Laurie Marsh wrote:
Pete,
I dont really want to upset anyone!
Most of the rubbish that I write is tongue in cheek!
Some is not.
"you must be older than I thought"?
I have had two heart attacks (you dont get much older than that!).
Life is SO good, I enjoy every breath!
Is this bloke Grower worth wasting any effort over?

In my case yes,i have had so much backstabbing and lies directed at me why should he get away with it,i have heart trouble as well as cancer,and i will give some of them back the same treatment as i have had to take,right or wrong.GAH,who posted a good comment before, says its getting boring,perhaps so but thats what grower wants,let it lie down and people will forget,NO WAY.I live in his ward and he has been taking us all for a ride.And for his sidekicks to back him and blame the Echo,thats right out of order.It was obvious some of your comments were tongue in cheek,but believe me Laurie,i do know a lot of whats going on.

pete woodley says...
1:51pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Laurie Marsh wrote:
Pete,
I dont really want to upset anyone!
Most of the rubbish that I write is tongue in cheek!
Some is not.
In my case yes,i have had so much backstabbing and lies directed at me why should he get away with it,i have heart trouble as well as cancer,and i will give some of them back the same treatment as i have had to take,right or wrong.GAH,who posted a good comment before, says its getting boring,perhaps so but thats what grower wants,let it lie down and people will forget,NO WAY.I live in his ward and he has been taking us all for a ride.And for his sidekicks to back him and blame the Echo,thats right out of order.It was obvious some of your comments were tongue in cheek,but believe me Laurie,i do know a lot of whats going on.

Laurie Marsh says...
2:47pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Fiona,
8.45 Sat.
"kind of similar to schoolboys pulling the legs of spiders"
I hope that wasn't meant as a sexist remark?
The roses smell great!

omega 3 says...
3:57pm Sun 18 Jan 09

I think Laura is really Pete writing in under a different name or maybe Pete is really Laura - it is very confusing.

omegaman 2 says...
3:59pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Stop it - stop it - I've been promissed the last word.

John T says...
4:08pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Oh what a beautiful Morning, oh what a beautiful Day,
Something tells me this Ben Grower thing's not going to go away...
for some!

John T says...
4:11pm Sun 18 Jan 09

And in conclusion, Omegaman 2 ??

frying leper says...
4:16pm Sun 18 Jan 09

pete mickey laura john

wheres my stick

I'LL LAY IT ON

peter beneather benefit bleater.

enter what you see

load-crap

david.h says...
6:04pm Sun 18 Jan 09

can i have a say now - hello everyone

peter paul & mary says...
6:10pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Laurie Marsh wrote:
Fiona, 8.45 Sat. "kind of similar to schoolboys pulling the legs of spiders" I hope that wasn't meant as a sexist remark? The roses smell great!
On behalf on all spiders that unfair.
Please don't leave us legless!

GAHmusic says...
9:23pm Sun 18 Jan 09

Maybe I should have made my point differently. It's not that I want it to be brushed under the carpet or forgotten about but you may have noticed it seems to have broken down into a war of words between a few people here and surely that, if anything is taking away the impact of the story and undermining the credibility of those involved. I for one am not impressed with the comments being made here. Good points are being lost, wrapped in childish behaviour, I don't know if I would vote for any one of you. Tell you what if anyone here is involved with the council and does think that what the councillor committed is wrong then I suggest they move to have them impeached or whatever it is you do on local council and demonstrate a true commitment to your convictions beyond a war of words. A message board like this is not the place to make a difference.

peter paul & mary says...
8:42am Mon 19 Jan 09

What's that to do with spiders?

frying leper says...
10:22am Mon 19 Jan 09

9.23 pm. … i am very sorry that you wont vote for me . i was devestated when you pointed this out . I did nt know what to do in order to right my dreadful wrongs .So i am changing my pseudonym so you wont know who i am,
pleaser dont go under the carpeter xx mad o'rourke

brianr says...
11:19am Mon 19 Jan 09

Forgot to tell that I am frying leper sometimes known as although I think I will now change it to frying bacon

mad O'rourke says...
11:43am Mon 19 Jan 09

high evrybody top of the morning i am new on here but hope to get used to ya all i am looking forward to a great holiday in Boscombe this summer 16 of us already excited we know we wont be dissapointed, fryxx

security word

enter what you see brian-bribaine

frying leper says...
11:52am Mon 19 Jan 09

brianr wrote:
Forgot to tell that I am frying leper sometimes known as although I think I will now change it to frying bacon
Pigs might fry ahahahahahahahah gggggggggggggggg splat

Victor Meldrew lives ! says...
5:06pm Mon 19 Jan 09

I've come back as someone else :-)
Come on Pete-Who am I ?

pete woodley says...
7:01pm Mon 19 Jan 09

Victor Meldrew lives ! wrote:
I've come back as someone else :-)
Come on Pete-Who am I ?
Will let you know later.Right now am busy writing out my official complaint to the standards committee,as well as sorting out AFCB's team for the next match,finding free accomadation for the new homeless,who picked on Bournemouth,as their favourite resting place,plus trying to raise some money to give to our poor beggars.i also have to get in touch with builders and developers re future property building on Branksome Rec and Slades Farm.As to a guess,it cant be Adrian Fudge,because he has the guts to give his name.

pete woodley says...
7:01pm Mon 19 Jan 09

Victor Meldrew lives ! wrote:
I've come back as someone else :-)
Come on Pete-Who am I ?
Will let you know later.Right now am busy writing out my official complaint to the standards committee,as well as sorting out AFCB's team for the next match,finding free accomadation for the new homeless,who picked on Bournemouth,as their favourite resting place,plus trying to raise some money to give to our poor beggars.i also have to get in touch with builders and developers re future property building on Branksome Rec and Slades Farm.As to a guess,it cant be Adrian Fudge,because he has the guts to give his name.

Victor Meldrew lives ! says...
7:31pm Mon 19 Jan 09

pete woodley wrote:
Victor Meldrew lives ! wrote: I've come back as someone else :-) Come on Pete-Who am I ?
Will let you know later.Right now am busy writing out my official complaint to the standards committee,as well as sorting out AFCB's team for the next match,finding free accomadation for the new homeless,who picked on Bournemouth,as their favourite resting place,plus trying to raise some money to give to our poor beggars.i also have to get in touch with builders and developers re future property building on Branksome Rec and Slades Farm.As to a guess,it cant be Adrian Fudge,because he has the guts to give his name.
I don't believe it !!

opium says...
10:13pm Wed 21 Jan 09

I do - Pete is capable of anything - he has nothing else to do. The real culprits here are the two hacks at the Echo who breached the Data Protection Act.

pete woodley says...
2:10pm Thu 22 Jan 09

opium wrote:
I do - Pete is capable of anything - he has nothing else to do. The real culprits here are the two hacks at the Echo who breached the Data Protection Act.
At 74,and with my health,what to you think i can do,i am over qualified for AFCB,due to experience,and having two legs,local political parties wont want me,in case i find out too much,I am in the wifes way,This reminds me of my old CO,telling me that we have had WW1 and WW2 and if he sent me to Cyprus we would have WW3.Not very nice was it.

Azrael says...
2:16pm Thu 31 Dec 09

I could not possibly comment, Sarah Coutlidge emailed me this morning over another comment i left on the new year article this morning after removing it, telling me she will ban me.

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