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THE GENTLEMAN DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH, METHINKS

Dear Editor,

It is of interest, to note, that Mr. Callahan, states that he wrote his email in support of a Health Centre in his private capacity and not as either the Chairman of the Parish Council or indeed as a member of the District Council on 26.7.05.

It is of equal interest to note that the location of the site was KNOWN by Shepway Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Shepway District Council Planning Department some considerable time before 26.7.05. The PCT had identified the site to Shepway Planning Department in March 2005.

Could Mr Callahan inform us in what circumstances he found out, prompting him to write as far back in July to the PCT in support of "the Hawkinge health Centre's future plans? In a "private" capacity?

Anyone of us, who are patients at the Hawkinge Health Centre, could have written the same email, supporting the future plans of the Health centre, had we been "privileged" to have such information. We were not "privileged" to know, so no one else's email or letter appears within the documentation supporting the plans, does it?

Having "discovered" that Hawkinge Health Centre was planning to move, it is beyond the realms of belief, not to have at least asked "where?".

Mr Callahan, being in the perfect position, as a District Councillor let alone Chairman of the Parish Council, could/would surely have asked an "off the record" question or two. I am sure anyone would have done so, in his position as a double Councillor and a patient.

Did he mention to any of his Councillor colleagues (District and Parish), if only in passing? Apparently not. Yet he knows about the "future plans" in July. How unusual, no one informed and he keeps his cards very close to his chest, his mouth shut?

He states "In no way did I give specific support to, or have knowledge of any proposed site for a new Health Centre." Indeed his email of 26.7.05 does not mention a specific site (about the only piece of correspondence that doesn't) but states "I would write to express my 100% support for the plans by Hawkinge Health Centre for an improved Health Centre" and finishes his email "I would urge all to give their support to the Hawkinge Health Centre's future plans"

I don't know if anyone else is "reading between the lines", but I am.

The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks

Yours etc.

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