Helston Town Mayor Denied Second Term

By Em_Williams | Sunday, February 20, 2011, 13:08

Helston Town Mayor John Boase will not be serving a second year in office. The news follows rumours earlier in the week that there were plans to oust him from his post. Usually the mayor serves two years in office and voting them in for the second year is just a formality. That formality was due to take place on Thursday evening before the full council meeting. However a new candidate was put forward and won the subsequent vote.

Helston Town Mayor John Boase at the Mayor Choosing Ceremony in May last year

John Boase will now continue to serve until the end of his term in May. Niall Devenish, who served two years as mayor prior to Mr Boase, has been chosen as mayor-elect to take over the post. Jonathan Radford-Gaby will become deputy mayor.

Speaking after the meeting John Boase said: “I had hoped it wasn’t, but I’m now almost certain it was a political decision. If I’d done something wrong I would have stood down gracefully but I didn’t.

Obviously I’m disappointed but I’ll get over it and I’ve already have a number of emails from people giving me their support.”

For a Helston town mayor not to be voted in for a second year in office is highly unusual. Prior to Thursday’s vote Councillor Andrew Wallis who represents Porthleven and Helston South suggested the situation was about “people’s egos” adding “John has done well as Mayor. He should be Mayor for second year.”

The decision has shocked some people in the town and has been described by some as “shameful” and “disgusting. Do you agree? Do you think it matters? Let us know your thoughts.

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Comments

I studied politics when I was at Helston School, so have been doing some digging into this chap who failed to be re-elected.

(And YES, beyond your sell by date teachers at Helston School, I know you kept droning on about how it is now Helston Community College. But because you were so boring, no one took any notice, except the excellent head who spotted you were awful teachers, and who is gradually demoting the failures and then firing them. Good on you Head, get rid of all the retreads)

I digress.

Looking at newspaper articles over the last year, I see this cheshire cat grinning Mayor has had a serious of disasters and embarrassment during his time. Total disaster and mishandling of the boating lake fiasco, I spoke to someone who was at the freedom parade speech he gave and it was cringe making. Then he puts up a pathetic Mayor's blog to appeal I presume to the "yoof".

Every comment I have seen says he is a reasonably nice bloke, but a total disaster as organising anything. Unable to get drunk in a brewery comes to mind.

And as for the pathetic attempt to blame it on politics or clash of personalities, sorry wrong on both. You simply are not geed enough, and the other people who you are supposed to lead have realised it. Good on you

By GIRLHELSTON at 20:21 on 22/02/11
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How extremely sad. The Mayor fails to get re-elected for a second term by the people who have to work with him every week, and suddenly every Tom or Dick or Harriet thinks he is wonderful.

The simple truth is that his fellow Councillors in a secret ballot felt he was not good enough, and voted him out of office.

I have seen him but do not know him personally, my only impression I have from seeing him is he always looked a bit scruffy.

But what would I know, I only live and work in Helston.

If the people who work with him do not want him, then surely that's their affair.

By GIRLHELSTON at 14:34 on 22/02/11
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I am sorry that you feel this way. But I feel that Mr boase has been exexelent mayor and why he town council has decicided he stand down is
beyond me.This is clearlly a personal decision made on an indiviual basics based on personal gain and and as the these persons have largly not been elected why they believe they can be be mayor.

By ronedger at 21:04 on 21/02/11
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How dare they treat His Imperial Brittanic Majesty Sir John of Boase in such a way. A man of his great knowledge, wisdom, humility and sense of humour should be appreciated by all of his loyal subjects throughout the realm.

By MrNiceIsNice at 22:22 on 20/02/11
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Maybe if more people came forward when the council is elected we would be better represented. Helston council seems more interested in there petty personal squabbles then whats best for the town. Mr Boases suggestion about political gain seems strange I suggest personal ambition is closer to the truth.As many of the councilors have never faced election maybe one would focus there attention more on the town

By ronedger at 19:41 on 20/02/11
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