ILMINSTER NEWS: No wonder former Mayor decided to quit, says county councillor

A COUNTY councillor has spoken of her “shock and disgust” at the way people reacted following the news that Rose Neave had resigned from her role as Ilminster Mayor and the town council.

Cllr Linda Vijeh, a former member of Ilminster Town Council, but continues to serve the area at Somerset County Council and also on South Somerset District Council, told the Ilminster Press that her dislike of social media had intensified this week.

“If ever we needed an example of the evils of social media then this last week has given us plenty of ammunition,” she said.

“Whilst I cannot call former Ilminster Mayor Rose Neave a friend, I have only ever met her at official functions, I have been shocked and disgusted at the venom that has been posted on Facebook since her resignation at the town's annual meeting on Tuesday (May 17, 2016).

“As a rule, despite pressure to do so, I choose not to engage through this dubious method of communication myself as I feel that the 'friends' one makes are false, which has been borne out this week.

“To me a friend is someone I have met and socialised with, not someone I have never met and have only exchanged what amounts to little more than gossip with, and to be honest I am not especially interested in the opinions of those I have very little in common with.”

PHOTO - RIGHT: Cllr Linda Vijeh was shocked by comments made about former Ilminster Mayor, Rose Neave, on Facebook.

Cllr Vijeh said there had been a number of “unpleasant comments” made about Ms Neave and her reasons for standing down.

“What this has highlighted is the lack of cooperation and support she has received since her appointment by those whose noses were put out of joint; no wonder she has decided to stand down,” added Cllr Vijeh.

“I know that she found it very difficult to meet her commitments, and was unaware of the expectations that went with the job, but this was largely because of her inexperience in dealing with the petty jealousies that can sometimes rear their ugly heads when one suddenly gets bounced into the top job.

“At least she will be able to sleep a lot easier from now on; but only if she resists the temptation to access social media.”

Ms Neave, who had served on Ilminster Town Council for the previous two years with the past 12 months as Mayor, opened Tuesday’s meeting by reading out her letter of resignation.

“I feel that there are those that do not make it any easy task to be a councillor, and some perhaps who need to consider others’ positions more graciously – you can never really understand someone else’s point of view unless you have walked in their shoes – but I believe that is our job as councillors to try,” she said in her letter. “This council should consider that in the future.”

Anyone wanting to read more about Rose Neave's resignation from Ilminster Town Council - see here: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/17/ilminster-news-mayor-resigns-and-quits-council-to-enjoy-married-life/ .

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