User:Jbsandown

I am John Butler -a lifelong resident of Flintshire, North East Wales. I believe that, Wales (the part of the United Kingdom that some call, "Our Lovely Land") is defined not just by stunning scenery, fabulous heritage and beautiful women-folk -but nowadays, by the prosperity and well-being of the communities within it. I have no party-specific affinity or agenda. I praise, cajole and lampoon without fear or discrimination. I assert a social conscience and advocate that the focus of a few public-spirited individuals really can make a difference.

Under the web-persona, "jbsandown", I invite my blog & social media followers to watch and listen -with the prospect of an honest belly-laugh along the way. Of course, I "go-on" a bit! My rantings, have been known to irritate every political persuasion and test the very depths of human endurance. Just be prepared to throw any of my random musings to the wind.

With a lifetime of experience in audio engineering and amateur filmmaking, in retirement, I am privileged to promote by document, sound and film recordings, aspects of North Wales' rich community heritage. I freely offer to any who might be in need, advice and technical guidance on any aspect of micro-budget New-Media journalism.

I'm an experienced public-speaker with a considered point-of-view on most things of consequence. I have served as panel-member in student "mock" interview training-sessions and chairman/moderator in community debates. I am ever curious of the workings of government and associated civic-process and I enjoy the challenge of holding public figures to account. Especially unelected holders of high-office who pull on the levers of power in our communities.

In an entirely voluntary capacity, I have served as a member of the Rotary Clubs of Deeside and Alyn and I am a Past Chairman of Deeside Round Table and a Past President of Deeside Forty-one Club.

In the early 1980s, at the suggestion of a respected local politician and Justice-of-the-Peace, I submitted a highly detailed application to join the local magistrate service. After waiting some 12 months and in the absense of any initial acknowledgemnt or anything else further, I withdrew my application. All support documents pertaining to my application were promptly returned to me anonymously and without comment.

In 1996, the year of my retirement from business, I offered to serve on the Board Of Governors of Deeside Technical College (Kelsterton) This was declined.

In 2017, with the endorsement of both a retired Senior Police Officer and a former MP for Alyn & Deeside (by then an enobled Privy Counsellor) I applied to fill an advertised vacancy for a lay, co-opted member to join the Standards Committee of Flintshire County Council. My application was initially considered by the Chief Legal Officer of The Council who subsequently excluded it from those seen by members of the candidate selection panel.

I'm usually available to mainstream media for constructive comment -especially on the things about which I am passionate. Just call me!