A DOUGLAS councillor has insisted he’s no Scrooge – despite apparently voting against the town’s Christmas lights switch-on.
Derby ward member John Faragher was the butt of constant ribbing from his colleagues at a meeting of Douglas Council for the stance he had taken on arrangements for this year’s lights ceremony, due to take place on November 22.
He explained he had only wanted to vote against a plan by the borough’s regeneration and community advisory committee to charge catering vendors £25 to set up stall at the event.
Instead, he had voted against the whole item.
The result was that against each of the 10 resolutions listed in the committee minutes were included the words ‘Mr G.J. Faragher requested his name be recorded as voting against the resolution’.
So, according to the minutes, Councillor Faragher is recorded as voting against the Christmas lights ceremony taking place on November 22, against Douglas Town Band being invited to play carols and against a Santa’s Grotto being placed in the garden at the corner of Lord Street and Ridgeway Street.
Councillor Faragher told the meeting of full council: ‘I’m against one section of charging vendors.
‘I’m not against Christmas lights. I thoroughly enjoy Christmas!’
He said it was unfair to charge catering units attending council events as there was no guarantee they could make a profit.
But that didn’t stop fellow members taking the mickey.
Councillor Ritchie McNicholl, referring to Mr Faragher’s support for a woodland planting scheme planned for the Donkey Fields site, said: ‘I bet they are not going to be Christmas trees!’
Mr Faragher told the Examiner: ‘Obviously I’m not against Christmas – I love Christmas!’