Tory leader in a new war of words with council colleague
A CONTROVERSIAL Swansea councillor has been blasted by a colleague for his views.
Conservative group leader Rene Kinzett hit the headlines earlier this year when he labelled some council meetings a waste of time, and then said that "most of the people on the council are in their 60s and, quite frankly, past it".
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Rene Kinzett
The Mayals ward councillor was due to attend yesterday's health, social care and well-being scrutiny board, but sent his apologies.
Mawr councillor Ioan Richard, clearly angry that the Tory leader had not turned up to a meeting which was due to feature a debate on age discrimination, then spoke out.
He said: "I am very concerned about statements made, not in any jovial manner, but in a serious manner by Councillor Rene Kinzett.
"We have got an item on the agenda rooting out age discrimination.
"There are 11 people on this committee and I think eight of us, myself included, are over 60.
"We, as a committee, should ask the Conservative group to make a new nomination."
The committee agreed to write to the council's chief executive, Paul Smith, to ask if the Conservative group could nominate a new member to the committee.
Councillor Kinzett responded to the committee's move by turning on Councillor Richard.
"I'm not going to comment on yet another disjointed rant from Councillor Ioan Richard who, in my opinion, would do a lot better if he concentrated on proving that he is worthwhile as a local councillor," he said.
"I cannot recall any sensible contribution that Councillor Richard has made in council for some time. He only seems to rise to his feet when he wants to make loud and personal attacks on others."
Councillor Kinzett also defended his views on his fellow councillors.
He said: "I can assure anyone concerned that my only prejudice is against useless councillors who say nothing and do nothing, regardless of their age.
"As the Evening Post editorial said the other day, Swansea deserves better from its local councillors.
"We need more professional councillors, able to hold the highly paid executives of this council to account for their spending of £350 million of public money.
"At the moment, all we have are retired, unemployed or leisured classes and fewer than 10 out of 72 members who work for a living, and are in touch with modern work practices."
But Councillor Richard didn't take the comments from the Conservative member lying down.
"For the past 20 years, until the last election, my ward has always had the highest percentage turnout. I would say that my past electoral successes are a reflection of my success as a councillor," he said.
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by Paul, West Cross
Friday, August 21 2009, 9:19PM
“Copy that bird brain. IP affirmative.
Remember: A minimal inclination of the cranium is congruent with the closure of one palpebral fissure when both operations are performed for the expedience of an equine quadruped devoid of visual perception.
Out.”
by Valley Boy, Swansea Valley
Friday, August 21 2009, 7:00PM
“Wow wong you are Wow West Cwoss Pwaul. Wot a stwange life wuu leed. "Mountain Woad" meens nuffin to mee Pwaul. Dig deeper ole guy. I liv on a Hill not a Mountain. Spellyn aimd at yurr level Pwaul.”
by Paul, West Cross
Friday, August 21 2009, 5:48PM
“Wow! Pseudo-Mountain Road Boy is moaning about people using pseudonyms again.”
by Valley Boy, Swansea Valley
Friday, August 21 2009, 4:12PM
“Well, well Mr Kinzett, you must be very worried about your extremely tarnished reputation to read and respond so quickly to my posting. No doubt Mr Sheridan will respond also just as quickly to you. So we can now rely upon the good guess that "Council Taxpayer" is that woman from Dunvant again using a new identity. Now that I'm writing, could you tell us what's going on in the Swansea Labour Group - you must know as you are in coalition with them. Come on do us all favour and spill the beans on them The rumour is that three more are to leave Mr Phillips very soon.”
by Rene Kinzett, Swansea
Friday, August 21 2009, 1:46PM
“Valley boy - whensoever I am moved to make comments on this, or any other site, I always use my real identity.
I have been amused by how much time certain persons have spent making comments on this story, but if that's how Mr Sheridan wishes to spend his time, good luck to him.
Frankly, I have not been able to "understand" much of what Mr Sheridan "says" due to the "odd" style of his "rants".
:-)
René Kinzett
Gower Road
Swansea”
by Valley Boy, Swansea Valley
Friday, August 21 2009, 1:30PM
“Is "Council Taxpayer" the pen name of a woman from Dunvant or a Tory from Gower Road?”
by Paul, West Cross
Friday, August 21 2009, 12:40PM
“What I did, James, is point out that there are numerous Acts of Parliament that discriminate on the basis of age and therefore for you to state that "Age Discrimination is a society 'wrong'" (20-Aug-2009 16:57) is itself wrong.
Now you appear to be writing about ¿positive discrimination¿ which is different.
Cllr. Kinzett made remarks about elected Councillors not, society in general.
I have stated that people in public life should be judged by their views and ability rather than how old they are.
It is up to the local ombudsman to decide whether or not Cllr. Kinzett made inappropriate comments. It is not up to anyone else.
Society is governed not just by written laws but also unwritten laws.
You will not eliminate ageism in society simply by legislating for or against it.
The Laws of Nature are Ageist.
You cannot stop the ageing process.
You seem to have a habit of taking personal swipes at individuals.
Sometimes, the target of your insults retaliates in kind.
You received a thrashing from a right-wing nut-job a few days ago, on this website, so I am surprised that you are still using your full name.
Perhaps you should consider using a pseudonym such as ¿Mind Twp Merchant¿?”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Friday, August 21 2009, 11:28AM
“Re:Paul, West Cross
Is Paul no (sur) name trying to say the age limits within the following list, should be increased, decreased or to continue the 'Status Quo''?;
Ten Examples of Ageism in U.K. Society.
1. School age.
2. Age of sexual consent.
3. Driving age.
4. Gambling age.
5. Drinking age.
6. Smoking age.
7. Voting age.
8. Marriage age.
9. Mortgage age.
10. Retirement age.
Does Paul no (sur) name, consider that there are elements of 'positive discrimination', within some of the above!?
Has Paul no (sur) name realised that he needs to clarify what he is trying to say!? That is, if he is saying anything at all, other than post list!”
by Paul, West Cross
Thursday, August 20 2009, 6:11PM
“Ten Examples of Ageism in U.K. Society.
1. School age.
2. Age of sexual consent.
3. Driving age.
4. Gambling age.
5. Drinking age.
6. Smoking age.
7. Voting age.
8. Marriage age.
9. Mortgage age.
10. Retirement age.”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Thursday, August 20 2009, 3:57PM
“Re: Paul, West Cross
James Sheridan states that "The comments he posts on this website are his own views and not that of the Lib Dems".
James Sheridan now states that "As we have been informed by Paul no (sur) name from West Cross that;
""People, in public life, should be judged by their views and ability and not by their age," he still, however, according to James Sheridan, "refuses to make adverse comments about Rene Kinzett, the Councillor who made the original Age discrimination viewpoint and which was refered to in the above article".
"Paul no (sur) name from West Cross does still does not state whether Ageism in our society should be tolerated or not, only in reference to 'Public life'!"
James Sheridan also says, "as Paul no (sur) name from West Cross, considers comments made on this website 'boring', then why has he continued to post comments himself in response to comments made by this webpage's contributors!?
James Sheridan's response to Paul no (sur) name from West Cross's comment, ""I was full of life until I read Mr. Sheridan's comments to the EP for the past week", to be highly questionable, given that;
a) Paul lives in West Cross
b) Paul likes to 'Google'
c) Paul likes to make critical comments, but is uncomfortable when he is criticised himself. And so on.....!"
"All three are 'suggestions' for having greater affects on Paul's current health and well being other than a 'few' well chosen, (but not well answered by Paul), words from James Sheridan regarding Ageism, Rene Kinzett and our society"!
James Sheridan can only conclude that Paul no (sur) name from West Cross, "has again been Usurped by James Sheridan, who considers all forms of discrimination, whether in Public life or within society as a whole, is not tolerable to our modern day society. It therefore comes to pass, that Age discrimination is a society 'wrong' and comments that appear to promote discriminatory acts, as those that were reported to have been spoken by an Elected Councillor in Rene Kinzett, on Age discrimination earlier this year, rightfully should be investigated by a Regulatory Authority (or the Courts if applicable) and appropriate action take if proven 'guilty' of the said act!"
However, one does have to possible form some form of agreed opinion on Paul's comment;
"Now I'm pondering over the futility of existence."! Or is he just an attention seeker!?”