The Mayor of East Cowes has resigned, after only 7 months in office, and stepped down from the town council.
Michael Paler said he was met with a lack of enthusiasm over projects he brought forward for the council, like the Jubilee sustainable garden, as a reason for his departure.
The council clerk said Councillor Paler felt his commitments in other areas were increasing and was unable to give the time he feels necessary to the town council.
He was previously on East Cowes Town Council (ECTC) before, but resigned in August last year, instead turning his efforts toward being the coordinator of the town’s COVID support hub.
Cllr Paler was voted in as Mayor in May following his successful election campaign to once again represent the Osborne ward.
Speaking of his resignation, Cllr Paler, who was recently co-opted onto Cowes Town Council (CTC), said ECTC did not get behind his ideas and, as a result, they were getting nowhere. He said there is so much potential for East Cowes but he has gone to CTC, where he is excited to get started and help.
Cllr Paler said he will still be around to help the community and continue to run the COVID support hub.
A spokesperson for ECTC said they were very grateful for the commitment and support shown by Cllr Paler during a very challenging year. They said:
“His work with the volunteer support hub and the Covid vaccination programme has been phenomenal and very much appreciated by the whole community.
“The town council wish him well in his new ventures.”
Such a shame, I thought the Jubilee garden was a great idea, bringing nature to the young and others who have know idea where some things we admire and eat actually come from.
If Mr Paler’s “commitments in other areas were increasing”, how does he have time to serve usefully on Cowes TC? And what outstanding qualities did CTC recognise that made him worth co-opting at such speed?
As a resident of Osborne he will at least have a vested interest in getting FB6 back into service – now that’s gone quiet, hasn’t it?
That’s how the island maffia win. Anyone that manages to get elected that is outside the ‘circle’ is given the cold shoulder till they leave. They will now replace him with a family member or friend and enjoy more brown envelopes.
East Cowes has a mayor? You learn something new,