Many historical figures have had Master Plans, from Roman Emperors, Genghis Khan, Napoleon and Hitler, all wanting to rule without reference to the people and at the expense of many. Mr. De Haan says he wants to reinvent Folkestone, to make it a much more enjoyable place to live and work and go to school – a successful community. He complains of delays, a lack of vision from officials that cannot see what he sees and those that put money before quality – easily said by a man with extreme wealth. He dismisses those that are concerned about a businessman becoming involved in community issues.
De Haan’s language and manner autocratic, tyrannical and arrogant, something you can get away with when you are the Chairman of a company talking to those you employ. When dealing with ordinary people whose wages you do not pay requires a little more subtlety.
He complains of poor education and speaks of joining Folkestone East & West together, to many a euphemism for ‘we have run out of building space with sea views in the West End, the harbour looks nice.
The language used in the interview would suggest Mr De Haan has lost touch with reality and is about to fall of his trolley.
Mr. De Haan has not suddenly become a wealthy man, he has always been a wealthy man, he has suddenly become an extremely rich man, he and his brothers have wanted for little in life, a rich man who when he and his brothers disagreed about SAGA he appears to have brought them off. Mr De Haan is a man use to getting his own way no matter what the cost. Not a bad trait in a businessman but why now, why this sudden Philanthropic desire
At any time over the past thirty years Mr De Haan could have invested in the Old High Street, remodelling it several times, he could have done the same with Tontine Street and remained a multi millionaire. He could have built several schools from loose change, so why now? Why do you mr De Haan want to get involved in social issues you have little understanding off and have had even less involvement in, whatwas it that suddenly turns you into a man that wants to turn Folkestone into utopia?
If you built affordable rented flats for young couples, small retirement style flats at affordable rents for old ladies instead of the dog kennels the council provides. If you invested in education, training and jobs and passed on your experience through an educational foundation I feel sure, Folkestone would have a second statute on the Leas paid for by an adoring public with the inscription ‘De Haan He Got Involved’
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