This blog is my attempt to connect directly with the people of Essex. I hope that it will become a forum for discussion and debate around many of the issues and challenges facing our county. In a sense this is as much your blog as it is mine - so make the most of it and send me your thoughts and comments. In return, I hope to be able to get across a little of what I and the rest of my colleagues in County Hall do; how we are trying to make Essex a better place to live and work, how we are trying to improve the services we offer to you and how we are attempting to promote Essex, locally, nationally and internationally.
Thursday May 22, 2008 I was delighted to be able to announce earlier this week the launch of an annual award that will go directly to one soldier from Essex Company, 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment. It was an honour also to meet so many members of the company at a reception that the council hosted for them. The Regiment lost nine men, three from Essex, during its tour last year of
