Please see below a letter received from Muirhouse Womans Group.
Dear Editor
We are writing to you regarding an article in the Evening News on 1st September about a leaked email in which Councillor Elaine Morris described members of our community in North Edinburgh (which she represents) as ‘rabid’ and ‘anti-establishment’.
We looked up ‘rabid’ in the dictionary. One of the definitions is ‘fanatical’. This is very insulting, as it implies that the local people who organised the public meeting to inform our community about the Council’s proposals to privatise services are stupid. We are very angry and disgusted that Cllr Morris has such a low opinion of local people who are trying to protect the services our community needs.
In the email, Cllr Morris referred to members of our community as ‘anti-establishment’. If this means speaking up for our community, voicing our opinions, standing up for our rights and trying to make our community a better place to live, then we plead guilty. We are disappointed that Cllr Morris appears to think that our community should just accept the cuts happening in our area, and not question the decisions that the Council are making. We have the right and the duty to protect our community.
We met Cllr Morris earlier this year to discuss our concerns about the Government’s welfare reforms after our letters to David Cameron went unanswered. During the meeting, we explained that we were trying to make our community a better place to live. We thought, as our Cllr, she understood this.
We would like to remind Cllr Morris that freedom of speech is a human right which people in this community are entitled to regardless of race, nationality, sexuality or social class.
Yours sincerely
Sara Martin
On behalf of Muirhouse Women’s Group
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Isobel
Elaine morris calls the people of the community she is supposed to represent “rabid anti establishment.”
She has jumped ship more times than a pirate First she was a member of the Tories then the Lib/Dems now the SNP . Do you call that a real woman ? We have all raised families sometimes on our own. and have been actively involved Because people do not attend the community council meetings does not mean that we are not involved within our communities
As for your comment about the NEN allowing people to have a voice The same NEN is allowing you to slander and belittle people on here . It appears that if anyone challenges the community council you are right on the defensive Try attending other organisations within the community and ask their views about Granton& District Community Council I’m sure you will find that their views will not be complamentary .
Councillor Morris is one of the the most ignorant individuals I’ve ever come across. She’s rude, disrespectful and uncaring, here’s a woman who has done nothing for this area except close projects.
Grant? Who are you?
What a disgrace your reply is to you and your gender!
It is you who is rude, disrespectful, uncaring towards another human being and it is discriminatory because you have said it all –against a woman.
You as a man have made these nasty remarks in a public arena about a woman I know and she bears no resemblance to your inane gibberings.
Shame on you as a man! Shame on your gender if they associate with your remarks about Elaine Morris. You are printing your own distorted thoughts and what is this about? You see Grant —- it is lies, lies and damned lies! (Shakespeare!) And I know it. And you know it.
The NEN obviously allows such nonsense to appear on its blogsite and is therefore vicariously liable for what it prints.
Shame on the NENBLOG!
For a start — to make this assessment — how many times have you met her face to face? Or heard her speak at an open meeting? Or had a meeting at her surgeries? Or have you had a letter from her? An email perhaps?
Go on Grant tell us all –on what scale or level have you had real contact with Elaine Morris? Show us the evidence? And hearsay is not acceptable. And don’t make things up because it will be check-able. I am sure this will demonstrate that in fact it is you who is IGNORANT
For a second point — what has Elaine Morris had the power to close? What projects are you talking about? Projects? Projects she was responsible for closing?
Please don’t say the NEN or Royston school. Try to move on with your life—others have — or perhaps you should consider Counselling!
Elaine Morris is a real woman. She has raised a family, worked and still attained the political knowledge required to contribute in community affairs for the improvement of the lives of her constituents.
She was a leading campaigner for community involvement and still is. She was vigorous in her support of Community Councils and local decision making. She chaired the Forth Neighborhood Partnership to ensure local democracy was given its proper elevated place.
Now Grant. What have you achieved which gives you the right to criticize her tremendous efforts?
And if you love the Community so much —- when were you last at a Community Council meeting?
Isobel