DEPARTURE OF MARK KERR IS A CRYING SHAME - ÖPIK (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

DEPARTURE OF MARK KERR IS A CRYING SHAME - ÖPIK

March 12, 2009 11:20 AM

Lembit Öpik, Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire, expressed deep disappointment today at the departure of Council Executive Mark Kerr from Powys County Council.

Not to be dissuaded from quitting his role, Mr Kerr left following the publication of an article in ReNews, the renewable energy magazine, criticising the breakdown of local politics in Powys.

Commenting on the news, Lembit Öpik said:

"Mark's departure is a crying shame. If strong and independent minded characters are turned out of public office like this then we will lose excellence and replace it with mediocrity.

"Mark was a top class Chief Executive. It is beyond me why anyone would think punishing him for a fairly harmless comment was grounds for a reprimand. I'm worried that unless we begin to value people's rights to develop controversial opinions then we will simply employ yes men who do little to add value to the evolution of thought, and often restrain from introducing the best new ideas into council operational practice.

"I'm sad he's gone and he'll be very hard to replace."

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