Happy Birthday 70th Birthday to a True Living Legend

Today, Mike Dun is 70 years old. And this blog would like to wish him many happy returns, and say a few words, if it may, to celebrate this self-effacing local hero.

I have known Mike for a few years now through politics, and I am pleased to also call him a friend. Later this evening I will see him for a (non political) party and I hope he is wearing his full regalia, as in the photo above!

Mike (Mr Dun) will be well known to States Members and the staff of the Greffe and scrutiny, as he is someone who keeps a tight eye on public matters, as well as policies and legislation coming out of the Big House. Whether or not all of the aforementioned share my affection for Uncle Mike, I am not sure, because he is no doubt often a thorn in the side to them, especially when processes are not followed, and social policy is slow to appear.

And this is why Mike deserves special mention, today: he has been a tireless campaigner for justice and equality during his time in the island. He often takes up individual cases that some States Members are either unwilling or unable to take on. He is a keen supporter of the under-dog, the disaffected and dejected, as can be seen from his many posts.

Like any true hero, much of his good deeds are not seen, but they are still appreciated by those he helps.

So today, I wish a happy big 70 to Uncle Mike. I know that Tom Gruchy would be proud to call you one of his comrades.

I'll leave you a slightly comically aged video from 1993 of Mike talking in a programme on Human Rights in Jersey. 'Plus ça change...'

Equal Marriage - the fight for civil rights goes on.

Crunch time for Equal Marriage - How can you help?Reproduced courtesy of http://sammezec.blogspot.com/

We now have a time and date for the Equal Marriage debate in the States of Jersey.

On Tuesday 8th July at 9.30am we will crack straight into the debate which could take several hours before it culminates in a vote.

Victory is by no means predetermined.

States Members have received all sorts of correspondence from all sides of the argument.

Needless to say, the opposition to it is noticeably the least articulate and logical, but we have had more against than for so far.

We have a perfect opportunity to take a huge step towards equality for a previously marginalised group. If this fails, it will be a sad day for Jersey.

So what can you do to help?

The simplest thing would be to contact States Members and lobby them to vote for "the P.102/2014 proposition on same-sex marriage". I've copied their email addresses at the bottom of this post. You can

They are YOUR States Members and you have every right to email them and ask them to vote in favour of this. Believe me, the people who are asking us to vote against it have not needed prompting on this point!

Write them an email asking them to vote for it. It can be as long or as short as you want. It will have an effect. States Members love to reject decent propositions with the nonsensical argument of "ah, well I've not had any Parishioners contact me asking me to support this!" so don't give them that amunition.

If you are free, you are also more than entitled to come and stand in the Royal Square as members are walking into the States building (from 8.30am - 9.30am) and try and stop them for a chat to lobby them. Obviously that sort of thing requires a bit of confidence, but some people have a real knack for that and can be very persuasive, so if that's your thing, give it a try.

Finally, States proceedings are open to the public. Most weeks the public gallery is completely empty, but sometimes a specific proposition can enthuse enough people to see it packed. The presence of the public in the room does have an effect. It means members are extra careful about what they say and know that they are dealing with an important subject matter.

So if you aren't working, come down and watch it. It's sure to be an enlightening event!

You have until Tuesday morning, so get emailing!!

Senators

p.routier@gov.je

p.ozouf@gov.je

a.breckon@gov.je

s.ferguson@gov.je

a.maclean@gov.je

i.lemarquand@gov.je

f.legresley@gov.je

i.gorst@gov.je

l.farnham@gov.je

p.bailhache@gov.je

Constables

s.crowcroft@gov.je

j.lesueurgallichan@gov.je

l.norman@gov.je

j.refault@gov.je

d.mezbourian@gov.je

jg.gallichan@gov.je

p.rondel@gov.je

m.paddock@gov.je

s.pallett@gov.je

m.letroquer@gov.je

s.rennard@gov.je

j.lemaistre@gov.je

Deputies

r.duhamel@gov.je

r.leherissier@gov.je

ju.martin@gov.je

g.southern@gov.je

j.reed@gov.je

c.labey@gov.je

j.hilton@gov.je

j.lef@gov.je

a.pryke@gov.je

sp.power@gov.je

k.lewis@gov.je

m.tadier@gov.je

e.noel@gov.je

t.vallois@gov.je

mr.higgins@gov.je

a.green@gov.je

j.macon@gov.je

g.baudains@gov.je

p.ryan@gov.je

j.baker@gov.je

j.young@gov.je

s.pinel@gov.je

j.lebailly@gov.je

s.luce@gov.je

r.bryans@gov.je

k.moore2@gov.je

richard.rondel@gov.je

n.lecornu@gov.je

s.mezec@gov.je