County Hall paid tribute to former Isle of Wight councillor John Howe, who has recently died.
He was described as a “big man with a big laugh and an even bigger heart” at a full council meeting on Wednesday night.
John Howe represented Totland at the local authority from 2001 to 2021, serving on several committees including planning, licensing and the children and young people’s scrutiny panel, chair Ian Dore told the chamber.
[John was a big advocate of OnTheWight (and VentnorBlog) and would often call to let us know his thoughts on hot topics. In all our interactions with John, we have always found him to be a fair, caring and considerate man of integrity. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Ed]
“Held in the highest regard”
“Held in the highest regard” by Totland residents and the West Wight community, Mr Howe was also praised by his close friend Councillor Chris Jarman who currently represents the Totland and Colwell ward.
Councillor Jarman said,
“On behalf of the residents of Totland and Colwell and myself, it’s with great sadness that I report the passing of my predecessor and great friend John Howe.
“John was born on our Island in 1942…John was a Totland parish councillor for over 50 years and an Isle of Wight councillor for over 20. He was my proposer and mentor.
“Many will recall his dedication to help Totland bloom, to the preservation of Totland Pier and to local facilities and businesses. Indeed, no one could have done more to support the wellbeing of Totland residents.”
“Quietly stepped in” when others needed help
The leader of the Empowering Islanders group added that Mr Howe was known as someone who “quietly stepped in” when others needed help.
Finishing on a personal note, Councillor Jarman said Mr Howe was a “big man with a big laugh and an even bigger heart”.
Price: A really lovely man
Councillor Matthew Price, the Conservative representative for Fairlee and Whippingham, hailed Mr Howe as “always very welcoming” when he joined the local authority in 2013. Councillor Price said,
“We had some really, really great conversations on the planning bus, sometimes going to six different sites which is almost unheard of these days in planning.
“I spent quite a lot of time with John in and out of the chamber – a really lovely man.”
Garratt: He never left his liberalism
Liberal Democrat group leader and the council’s deputy leader, Councillor Andrew Garratt, agreed with the sentiments expressed by councillors Jarman and Price.
He told the chamber,
“John was of course for a while a councillor on this authority in the Liberal Democrats. He left the party to sit as an independent, but he never left his liberalism…he was a liberal man to the core and served this Island immensely well.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
