The fact that outsiders need to be brought in because the locals won't do it, perhaps its relevant to the cornish who moan because others open businesses that they can't be bothered to do. Look at the other posting, highest water rates highest everything, does anyone know Why? has anyone tried to find out why? you all need the tourists, so perhaps that's why you pay higher everything, to supply for their needs. Cornwall is beautiful, enjoy it, or get out of there. I live in the country, and we have to pay more for certain things, it's worth it, to live here, no point in moaning, there's no way I'd move.
Chris wrote: "And excuse us for being less than grateful for the scraps off the table of the tourist industry that we all subsidise. "
Excuse me as well. I don't think you know enough about the tourist industry to be honest. You want to check out what commercial water and council rates are before you make these assertions about the public subsidising the industry. I run a business in Cornwall, and I can tell you the that what we pay to the local council is horrendous. Even rubbish bags have to be paid for (orange bags at a quid a go) or rubbish is not taken away, and thats on top of the high council rates as well.
No one is subsidising me I can tell you, in fact you could argue that the thousands of Pounds I pay each year to the Council is subsidising everyone else. It works both ways.
As for the "Scraps off the table" quote, I really don't understand this at all. I was brought up in life to never expect something for nothing. If I wanted something I went out and earnt enough to pay for it. I didn't sit back and moan and whinge about what I couldn't get.
If "scraps off the table" is what you think you are getting, then go out there and change it.
My Wife and I worked our arse off to get enough money to start our business. I took a second job gardening and then delivering takeaway food. My wife did domestic work and ironing and at one stage she had 3 jobs. Eventually we managed to get enough cash to start the business.
So we all have 3 choices in life.
1) Whinge and moan about unfair life is
2) Accept your lot in life and be content
3) Get off your arse and work damn hard to make things change
If you choose 3) good luck to you, and if you want it bad enough you'll succeed.
John, I'm willing to consider what you have said as you have made some good points.
I still think that in Cornwall a porportion of our rates go on subsidising the infra-structure that supports tourism.
Also for your information I do know a little bit about hard work. Less than 2 years ago I was doing a full time contract based in Devon, running my own company and finishing my second degree (for which I got a first).
Stroppy - is this going to be your retort to every issue - 'whinging poms'! Is that what the poll tax protesters were, is that what the anti hunt lobby were, is that what the democrats in the US were.
Making a point about what you consider an injustice is not whinging. In a world that is giving in to apathy I think more people need to speak their mind.
Diane - I think you are having a different discussion. Yes there are jobs here aswell that nobody wants to do. We have Eastern Europeans working in the fields whilst some locals sit on there arses watching daytime TV and claiming benifits. That's not the argument.
Good to see you are a hard working chap then. Even if there was a bit of subsidising going on, it affects businesses as much as private individuals, as per my last post on Council business rates.
I think the harsh reality is that without tourism Cornwall would be a very different place indeed. Take a walk around Newquay for example in the winter to see what I mean. Apart from weekends it a desolate place, and a good example of what the place is like without tourists.
Like it or not, it seems that tourism sustains Cornwall and without it, things would, I fear, be a lot lot worse.
Let's not forget however that improvements made to public services and infrastructure to cater for additional people in the holiday season, are also used by local people as well, so it's not all in the tourists favour.
As for a tourist tax, that was mentioned in previous posts, I doubt this would be workable. Businesses have a hard time making a go of it as it is (the summer is a very very short season, and the rest of the year can be dead. However if a tax was imposed on tourist type business, I fear that it would just mean that prices in bars and restaurants would rise, and that would affect not just tourists but locals as well.
It may be different but it seemed relevant to me at the time of posting, as I believe there are some Eastern Europeans working in Cornish fields. Anyway how come people can keep claiming benefits, when there's jobs avaible? Surely there's a cut off time, sooner or later the claimer must take a job that's available?
Nope, it'll only be my point when I see some whinging! I call as I see. Examining the facts of the case as you presented them, I saw you have little justification for your gripes.
The facts of the case are; that Cornwall relies on the tourist industry, that tourists and the industry pay their share of the costs, that Cornwall's geography/geology is not condusive to having cheap water, and that those who don't want to work for "scraps from the tourists tables" best pull their socks up and work.
Failing that they can clean the streets of vandalism, clean the beaches as a condition of claiming benefit. There are many things needing to be done in the community. Given the choice of being poor and doing nothing and being slightly less poor and working 40 hours a week for not much more, I think many would go for the former at our expense.
Obviously Stroppy you have no comprehension what it might be like living somewhere financially disadvantaged and having the rest of the country price you out of where you grew up.
Obiously this analogy is a slight exageration but have you ever thought how those servicing the tourist industry in countries like Kenya and Jamaica feel when they have to look at wealthy westeners spending there monthly salary on a meal.
I suppose is the answer!
As for water rates - why should we pay more for something that benefits the whole country. We pay the same road tax here as people in London, yet have no motorways why can't this be the same for water.
Independent review team is named
Review of management at the Royal Cornwall Hospital's Trust to be lead by former nurse with 50 years NHS experience.
Charity hospices in £1m shortfall
Two hospices that care for thousands of terminally ill adults could be forced to close in a funding shortfall.
Man admits unrelated sex attacks
A man arrested in Cornwall admits sex offences and an attempted murder committed nearly a decade apart.
Death crash footballer has been jailed
Ex-Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick is jailed for killing two children by dangerous driving.
Sanctuary in financial 'crisis'
A Cornish animal sanctuary, which is home to more than 50 horses, struggles to cover rising fuel and feed costs.
Text service for the deaf grows
A service allowing deaf and speech impaired people to text emergency services is rolled out in Cornwall.
Court seizes hundreds of knives
More than 200 people are caught carrying knives into a court building in Cornwall in 2008.
Teenager dragged from rip current
A teenage girl is in intensive care after nearly drowning while swimming off St Ives in Cornwall.
I call as I see. Examining the facts of the case as you presented them, I saw you have little justification for your gripes.