Welcome Thame’s new councillor

THAME has a new town councillor, in the person of Tom Wyse, an ex Engineer and Thame man born and bred.

Newly co-opted Cllr Tom Wyse is congratulated by the Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green

Tom was co-opted on to Thame Thame Council, after a secret ballot of four candidates, at a full council meeting last night (02/09/14), and replaces Andy Gunn who recently stepped down for family reasons.

Married for 44 years to Sheila, with two grown-up children and two grandsons, Tom went to Rycote Wood College and the Wenman School before working as an engineer, formerly at British Oxygen for 20 years where he finished as a Shift Superintendent. He recently retired from a staff position at Oxford University and enjoys working on his allotment at Stones Close.

He told the town councillors that his particular concerns were the increase in the number of new houses that Thame has to have, on-street parking and the loss of industrial units for housing. He also cares about the economy of the town and said: “We need to put more things on in the town centre to encourage people to come and use our High Street to help increase business.”

He told Thame.Net that he became motivated to join the town council after continually listening to other people, particularly in his local, The Cross Keys, complaining about what’s happening in Thame, and particularly about what the council are doing.

“Sometimes you just have to stand up and, instead of moaning, do something and have your say.” Tom stood for the council back in January but was defeated by Cllr Linda Emery. This was his second attempt to be selected.

In a statement welcoming Tom to their ranks, the town council said: “Tom spoke very passionately about Thame and was extremely delighted to be voted in by fellow Members. The Town Council wishes him every success in his new role.”

The other candidates were: Charles Boundy, Paul Cowell and Mary Ann Edwards.

Tom will serve the town council until the local elections in May 2015, when the whole town council will be up for election.