PROTESTERS at last Saturday's march voiced their concerns about the Isle of Wight Council's proposed cutbacks.
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| Chris Newman and Mary Ransome. |
Fat Samba players Chris Newman and Mary Ransom said they were concerned about cuts to social care.
"Without community and social care services to provide support, people will become more and more marginalised, which will only lead to more costs in the longer term," said Mary.
Chris added: "The impact of these cuts will be disastrous. It will destroy the Island.
"I don't think a protest like this will have any effect at all but at least it will show the council how disgruntled Islanders are."
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| Laura Mursell, far left and Vicki Mursell, second from right. |
Twins Laura and Vicki Mursell, 13, and friend Katherine Sandercock, 12, all Mayfield Middle School pupils, said they were worried about the effect of the cuts on unemployment.
"We are very worried about all the jobs that will go," said Laura.
"What about when we grow up and need jobs? If so many people are losing jobs now, imagine how bad it will be in the future," agreed Katherine.
Vicki said: "I don't think they should close the libraries or the Waterside Pool, which is where we all learned to swim. Other children should have the same opportunities we did."
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| John Goulding. |
Wellow pensioner John Goulding said the cuts would put tourists off visiting the Island.
"People won't come here if there are no services," he said.
"The entire Island is going to the dogs and the council should focus on being constructive not destructive.
"Alternative budgets have been put forward and the council should look at that more seriously but I do feel Cllr Pugh is very much on a fixed course and not open to reason."
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| Steve and Sue Kendall. |
Steve and Sue Kendall, from Shanklin, said vulnerable Islanders would bear the brunt of the cuts.
"Closing the libraries will affect all age groups from all sections of the community. And once they are gone, we will never get them back," said Sue, 60.
"And thousands of Islanders depend on the tourist industry, but who is going to pay to come over on the ferry when there are no toilets or tourist information centres?"
"The council should cut the salaries of those at the top of the tree and stop squandering money on consultants. Frontline services should be a priority," said Steve, 61.
"What they are doing is appalling and we are here today to show councillors they are accountable to us."
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| The George family. |
The George family, from Sandown, said it was important people protested against the cuts to show the council services were valued.
"As soon as anyone starts talking about closing libraries, it sounds like such a ridiculous idea," said Nigel George, 44.
"It makes you wonder what will be left at the end of all this.
"The council havs asked people to come up with a better plan but they have all the information and it's their job to sort this out.
"There are other options, there are alternative budgets and there are ways to keep public services going."
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk