Naming no names, but have some of them heard there will be local elections in May? Some obviously have and are closely covering the issues and the candidates. Others? Newspapers are supposed to cover NEWS. Are elections not news?
The (unofficial) newspaper “purdah” period will start in early April, when newspapers voluntarily agree to keep election information unbiased and balanced.
This is similar to, but not the same as local authority purdah when councils avoid controversial decisions which would bind the next council. Hence the undue haste for the decision on Knowle relocation. The majority party (Conservative) dare not risk leaving it to the next council to decide – even though they will be bound to the decisions and costings. Maybe they know something we don’t … nothing new there!
But, with some newspapers, we really won’t notice the difference.
Thank heaven for bloggers!
East Devon Watch 
‘I did read that people were being irritated in Sidmouth, by Councilor Tim Wood, Tim was our Councils Exmouth Champion. He had applauded the fact when the Bowling Ally was built, although it is a very nice looking complex. it was planned with no space for waste bins or any recycling facilities, it’s still has two retail outlets standing empty, and the new building which is on the sea front, it is stubbornly trying to succeed, with high running costs, high parking charges, and a chronic lack of customers.
The Exmouth Champion lasted a second year, before the name was deemed redundant before being withdrawn.
I do believe that EDDC wanted a Master Plan Champion to front their long-winded regeneration of the Sea-Front that residents although asking for small improvements, were against any large development. This has meant a lot of disappointed residents all wanting desperately to see the Towns regeneration first.
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