Knowsley Housing Trust seems to believe that some tenants in Oak Tower seem to 'love living there', that was the statement given by a KHT Officer lately. Maybe it was someone on high on heroin they were talking to, or someone with a bit of an active imagination. You make your mind up, look at the Kirkby Times Galleries and see the latest addition, the Knowsley Housing Trust Feb 2002 photo selection. These 240 photos bring the total to 600 odd photos of just one Tower Block. All the latest photos bear witness to the continuing mismanagement of these Blocks.

Click on the link below for the latest photo gallery.

Youth Disorder Response from KHT

Youth Disorder is another issue KHT has decided needs attention, after the 'disorderly youth' have already basically smashed the place up from top to bottom to the tune of a few hundred grand's worth of damage. KHT were warned that the lack of a live in caretaker and unreliable security was the root of the problem; they didn't listen though and have wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds by neglecting to do the common sense thing. KHT have seen hundreds of thousands spent on repairs in the few months they have taken management of the Tower Block. Do they like giving money away to contractors and suppliers? Common sense is not an option which KHT management has so far not taken onboard. It really is a joke when we have all the so called 'highly trained' KHT management coming up with failed scheme after failed scheme. This author would have done a better job on managing Oak Tower. I'd have hired a live in caretaker and hired some decent tenants as security. Problem solved.

Name Names?

KHT asked a tenant to 'name names' of the youths vandalising. The names are written on the walls but the Officer only recalled one name 'Biscuit' Funny that, Kirkby times has at least 40 or 50 names on photo, mostly nicknames. The Police actually almost nicked a tenant who was tackling these 'disorderly youth', and tenants who have phoned the Police for various complaints and incidents were less than impressed with the response time. One KHT Officer said he would 'arrest them myself if I saw them' Sorry mate, but your not going to arrest a mob of 8 lads, and even if you did, you'd be nicked for assaulting the 'disorderly youth' if they never kicked you to the floor first that is. The law is a joke, we know it, the cops know it, and the disorderly youth have nothing to fear. In fact, the kids who do cause trouble are given 'treats' by local beaurocrats.

Below, 'Everybody get smashed Everyday 2003' the advice says. They forgot to add "and smash up the Block"

Housing Officers

Housing Officers come and go. In Oak Tower there have been 4 or 5 in the past few months. They never have time to get to know the tenants and the area, and unfortunately we have not got many local working class people who are doing this job. The job itself is hindered by Housing Officers who just want to impress management and therefore are ineffective as regards acting for the actual tenants. Most KHT workers know the management is useless. Many have told Kirkby Times this in confidence. Many of these Officers have little time to work out the difference between a good tenant and the local heroin dealer, but, KHT may well have a deliberate policy of reserving the more run down accommodation for the heroin addicts and people who don't give a damn.

The Mercer Heights syndrome

We saw this happen with Mercer heights in Westvale as Knowsley Council moved heroin addicts and lowlife in and the Blocks soon became run down. A lot of the Westvale addicts ended up in the Blocks on Roughwood drive, flats were even decorated for these 'victims of society'; Knowsley Council even called Larch Tower a 'success' at the time 4 or 5 year ago. KHT recently were asked 'where have all the addicts gone from Larch and Maple Tower', the answer was, 'we don't know who the addicts are' As long as KHT get their rent from them, they don't really care.

Turn on, tune in and sort your heads out.

Yes, the addicts have to be housed. Why not dedicate One Tower for the chemical enthusiasts? And put a cage around it nicking the dealers as they turn up. Most people in Kirkby DON'T want a skaghead living next door. No doubt KHT will come out with some spindoctored rubbish concerning this issue. These addicts are getting more help than our OAP's. Any Addicts reading this: get a life you sad bastards. Turn on, tune in and sort your heads out.

Tenants leafleted.

Tenants in Oak Tower have been leafleted and the remaining block will also be leafleted so as to bring tenants together who want to fight and stand up to KHT. The only way for tenants to fight is to stick together and do it as a group. It's about time us Working class people stood up to likes of KHT, and now we are. Any locals who have any disputes with KHT are welcome to use Kirkby times as a platform. Good Luck. Stick together and we can have a few victories for sure.



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