April 2007 Archives

OUR Polish columnist Viktor Mosczynski is well read and we've even had the odd letter or two praising his work.

However, today he's not so popular - as he's managed to upset one of our Italian readers when he gives his reasons as to why the Italians were not successful in their bid to host the 2012 European Cup.

Our letter writer says:

'I always read Viktor Moszczynski's article with interest, but am very disappointed by his comments on Italy in this week's article.

Perhaps Mr Moszczynski might in future at least refrain or even better, apologise for his stereotypical "cheap" remarks about Italy being a "land of vendettas, where things occasionally get a little corrupt and violent..".

I, an Italian, am glad that UEFA has given the 2012 (not Champions League, Mr Moszczynski) Championships to developing countries such as Poland and Ukraine and am sure they will be totally up to scratch.
Mr Moszczynski should realise that, sadly, corruption and violence are present in most countries unfortunately, and not confined to Italy..and whilst being euphoric, quite rightly, about Poland and Ukraine winning the bid, he could be less judgmental about other countries and refrain from such cheap remarks.'

Interesting, perhaps this matter can be settled by organizing a football match between the Italian and Polish residents of Ealing.

I'm happy to referee. Have a good weekend.

IT’S been alleged that Ealing Council is paying plain-clothes snoopers £35,000 a year to track down homeowners who put their rubbish out at the wrong time of the week or in the wrong place.

The enviro crime officers are suppose to enforce environmental regulations and fine those who offend.

It is said this will enrage many, particularly those who are in the low-paid public sector and also those who believe it’s heavy-handed tactics to remove rubbish.

However, by the calls I’ve received, I’m not sure whether this is the case.

One prominent community member told me the £35,000 figure is not actually accurate and even if it was, it’s a price worth paying to beat the fly-tippers, grafitti vandals and illegal street traders etc. It’s not just about putting rubbish out.

However, others have attacked the enviro-crime officer idea, saying we’re living in a George Orwell society i.e Big Brother is now watching everything we do or that it’s just a waste of our council tax cash and the money could be spent better.

All fine and well, however my contribution to this debate at the moment is to draw Ealing Council’s attention to the state of the pavements in West Ealing. They are disgusting – spit and vomit ridden. They need to be washed down quickly before they become a health hazard in the heat.

And that tip-off comes absolutely free and with no hidden cameras.

I’ve just finished helping to judge our annual community awards, Pride in our People.

And I must say it’s been an honour – the quality and number of entries has again been excellent.

It’s incredibly humbling to read about all the positive initiatives and the remarkable efforts of individuals, selflessly working to improve our community.

And to all those who say good news does not appear in newspapers, all I can say is I hope you’ve been reading the Pride in our People stories in the Gazette over the last three months.

We’ll let you all know very soon who’s been shortlisted and in line for the awards on June 14.

Many thanks to Mike Tiley, from the Ealing Civic Society and Lynn Grimes from Thames Valley University, who helped both Jane Harrison, our community reporter, and I to judge the entries.

So on that positive note, I’ll say have a good weekend.

I’m so pleased to see the banks are about to get their come-uppance as more and more challenge those unauthorised bank charges.

I’m predicting all of the banks are in for a big shock when the court rules on barrister Tom Brennan’s case. He is seeking a refund and exemplary damages from NatWest Bank.

His case has been adjourned until April 30, but it will be a landmark ruling if he succeeds. I think he’ll force major changes.

For too long the banks have got away with a high-handed attitude when it comes to managing our cash.

And all too often, they’ve been able to impose the odd £30 here and the odd £50 there, when they’re only spending the odd few pounds in admin costs.

The banks will always plead that a contract was signed between the two parties, but I don’t think that defence will stand for too long now.

Not only are the charge unreasonable but also a downright cheek. It certainly forced me to check my statements much more closely.

And so far I’ve been shocked to see what I’ve been forking out in charges – so I’m about to mount my own challenge. I suggest you do the same. I'll let you know how I get on.

TODAY’S Gazette is a real mix of serious and light hearted features.

The shock front page reveals 23,000 children in Ealing, are living below the poverty line and are in danger of being sucked into a life of vice and crime.

The issue should be of major concern to all the child care agencies particularly, at a time when gang violence is prevalent.

We also look at Mayor Ken’s response to hundreds of coupons sent to him via the Gazette objecting to the west London tram project.

His response is a virtual dismissal, as he extols the virtue of the west London tram project and the potential benefits it could bring.

On a completely different tack, we take a fun look at the best Greasy Spoon Cafe in the borough. Each reporter was give the 'arduous' task of trying and testing one on their patch.

And on the sports pages we take an analytical look at life after Scott Fitzgerald and Chris Coleman, at their respective football clubs Brentford and Fulham.

The full implication of the decision to remove them from their posts is fully explored by our sports editor Yann Tear.

So hopefully, there should be something for everyone.

Have a good weekend.

HOPE you all had a good Easter break.
Most of the Gazette staff are back and cracking on with Friday’s paper.
This morning’s news meeting unearthed some gems – so an excellent edition is in the pipeline, with a strong balance between the hard news and the more light-hearted items. Ultimately, you'll be the judge.
The talk this morning in the newsroom was of the weekend football results with all our teams in the thick of it.
The relegation of Brentford, the threat to Fulham’s Premiership status and the continuing revival of QPR, helping to nudge them towards safety.
Where did it all go wrong for Brentford and Fulham and why QPR is suddenly securing the results.
Should it be the managers or the players who should take responsibility? Let me know what you think?

OUR chief reporter Steve Still has been talking to the kids.

Well he’s been trying, as they now speak a totally different lingo to him.

Him being a genuine Eastender, he thought he knew it all when it came to slang.

But he was in for a shock, when he found his old cockney apple and pear rhymes were well and truly out of moda.

He had stepped onto one of those bendy buses, and thought he would do try to communicate with those wicked hip-hop yoofs of Ealing.

And by the sounds of it he was taught a real lesson in street language – did you know buff means nice, butters means ugly, blood means friend and allowit means forget about it.

That’s just a few of the words and phrases he learnt, and he is now preparing a glossary of the street lingo which seems to be prevalent.

Well, it’s all shaping up for nicely for Easter – just when everyone thought it was getting quiet we managed to pull of an excellent exclusive.

Don’t forget we've also got some excellent Easter discount offers in Friday’s paper which will help with cost over the holidays.

Anyway I’ll be in Uxbridge tomorrow, so let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Easter – or should it be a Buff Easter.

TODAY I spotted the weekly rental cost for one of the new 2 bedroom flat developments in West Ealing – nearly a whopping £600.

The cost is breathtaking, but apparently they’re still going like hot cakes and according to the estate agents blurb, and you have to be quick to bag one.

If that’s the case, this end of Uxbridge Road, will undergo such a transformation that even Mayor Ken couldn’t match it with his proposed tram.

Out would go the pound shops, the cheap chicken and chip shops and the numerous ethnic stores displaying their exotic wares.

And in would come the more upmarket restaurants, estate agents, bespoke, organic and health food shops.

But that all seems a far cry from reality, as I took a walk down a sunny Uxbridge Road, at lunchtime.

It’ll be fascinating to see how the new developments affects the area.