Croydon chief on £155,000 salary writes poem on the evils of money
Gareth Davies
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POET: Nathan Elvery
ONE of Croydon Council's top earners has had a poem published in which he writes: "I've seen the future, I can't afford it."
Finance chief Nathan Elvery earned £155,398 in his role as executive director of resources and customer services last financial year.
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And that has led to criticism of his ditty, which bemoans money as being "the root of all evil".
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Poetry In commotion
EVERY night before I rest my head, see those dollar bills go swirling round my bed You load 16 tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt I’ve seen the future, I can’t afford it. Tell me the truth sir, someone just bought it (If you drive a car, car) – I’ll tax the street; (If you try to sit, sit) – I’ll tax your seat. (If you get too cold, cold) – I’ll tax the heat; (If you take a walk, walk) – I’ll tax your feet Now my advice for those who die, (taxman) declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman) ‘cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it, Money for nothin’ and chicks for free Money, you’ve got lots of friends. Crowding round the door. When you’re going, spending ends. They don’t come no more Money, get away. Get a good job with good pay and you’re okay. Money, it’s a gas. Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash I know they’re stolen but don’t feel bad. I take that money, buy you things you never had. But outside of that, I’ve no use for dough. It’s the root of all evil, of strife and upheaval. You’ve got the brawn, I’ve got the brains. Let’s make lots of money. I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love. But I’m certain, honey, that life would be sunny with plenty of money and you. She works hard for the money so hard for it honey she works hard for the money so you better treat her right. Money makes the world go around ... the world go around ... world go around. Money makes the world go around of that we both are sure. |
It has been published in the Municipal Journal, a magazine for local authorities.
Mr Elvery, who is also one of the council's two deputy chief executives, says the poem is intended as his take on the need to cut the country's budget deficit.
In it he quotes lyrics from songs about money, including hits by Dire Straits, The Pet Shop Boys and Pink Floyd.
Quoting the Beatles' Taxman, he writes: "(If you drive a car, car) I'll tax the street; (if you try to sit, sit) – I'll tax your seat."
He then quotes American crooner Tony Bennett's song With Plenty of Money and You, reflecting that cash is "the root of all evil, of strife and upheaval".
Mr Elvery insists the poem should not be misinterpreted, but it has come under attack from Matthew Elliot, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance.
He said: "This is a ridiculous poem in itself, but coming from a man with such a massive salary it is utterly laughable.
"Taxpayers in his area know very well that money is important, because they feel the pain every time the council squeezes more out of them."
Speaking about the poem, which is part of the Municipal Journal's regular Money Matters feature, Mr Elvery said it was simply an attempt to make a boring subject more interesting.
He explained: "Most of the people reading the Municipal Journal will be in local government or the public sector.
"They will understand the context.
"It's not designed to be misinterpreted, but a thought-provoking commentary written in a slightly different way which makes a dull subject a bit more interesting.
"I have got quite a lot of feedback from colleagues and from people who read Money Matters, who've said it's a really interesting synopsis of the problems the public sector faces.
"Its main message is that, given the Government's need to cut the deficit, it's an extremely difficult time for the public sector."
What do you think of the poem and Mr Elvery's wage? Let us know by writing to Letters, 3rd Floor, Jessop House, 100 Tamworth Road, Croydon, CR0 1XX or e-mailing newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk
Comments
by skippy tinks, croy
Monday, July 12 2010, 7:49PM
“i heard lady jane wrote a very good poem!!! lmao”
by NahidAla, London
Monday, July 12 2010, 5:43PM
“Well, people should be allowed to express their views or feelings on hot topics of days in a reasonable and fair way without fear of mis-judements or being misconstrued.
Irrespective of what pay scale they are at or the different walks of the life.
In a more official capacity council officers and executives, can see the difficult choices they have to make to support the national economy during this difficults times, through savings and budget cuts, whilst being expected to deliver effective services, hence perhaps the poem referred to.
At times, I hope we can listen more and interpret less!”
by NahidAla, London
Monday, July 12 2010, 5:40PM
“Well, people should be allowed to express their views or feelings on hot topics of days in a reasonable and fair way without fear of mis-judements or being misconstrued.
Irrespective of what pay scale they are at or the different walks of the life.
In a more official capacity council officers and executives, can see the difficult choices they have to make to support the national economy during this difficults times, through savings and budget cuts, whilst being expected to deliver effective services, hence perhaps the poem referred to.”
by iggy, sunny selhurst
Monday, July 12 2010, 12:24PM
“of all the utter tosh that's written,
on council workers throughout great britain,
the lies and smears that cover pages,
all churned out by those right wing sages,
to slowly drip by poison pen,
into the hearts and minds of men,
and smooth the way for massive cuts,
till nothings left-it's all been shut,
then privatise the lot for profit,
cut up that pie and then they'll scoff it,
the BBC, the NHS,
destroyed forever, what a mess
and in the end; the by and by,
your choice will be the sun or sky,
with d list celebs talking fads
and god, those never ending ads,
so think hard now this situation,
defines us for a generation
and take a little inspiration,
we're not consumers,
we're a nation.”
by RobinHood, Thieves Wood Sherwood
Friday, July 09 2010, 6:21PM
“We pay our tax and what a cost
On worthless causes it all gets lost
Council Workers so immature
Telling us they have no future
£155K is to them a years pay
But what on earth do they do all day?
Endless meetings about not a thing
Then waiting for the phone to ring.
"A working Lunch?Yes that will be fine"
"Er your expenses, or put it on mine?"
Clock off early time for home.
Back to wife to have a moan.
Out for dinner with local MP
He has no future diddley dee.”
by RobinHood, Thieves Wood Sherwood
Friday, July 09 2010, 5:10PM
“So Mr Elvery's main message is that it is a difficult time for the Public Sector.This being the same Public Sector who has had it so easy for so long.
Have they learnt anything since the Election...no not at all.They will still operate the 'Use it or Lose it' budgetry mentality. Only last week one Council was advertising the post of Cheerleader co-ordinator £35K , then there are all of the vague outreach workers for very minority groups,trade missions to exotic locations and the regular jollies or bonding sessions.Utter tosh all of it.
What is needed in the Public Sector is a massive cull of non jobs and non essential departments.
The cull needs to be carried out by independent time and motion studies overseen by impartial tax payers.”
by Martin S, South Croydon
Friday, July 09 2010, 2:04PM
“Firstly thats NOT a poem that is Plagiarism of others lyrics and the talents that wrote them. All in all thats pathetic.
Secondly he does not represent tax payers like us, It must be so hard for him earning £155,000, How does he cope when most of us can't get nowhere near that much in our jobs.
Lastly if he can't afford the future what chance have we got?.”
by Arfur Towcrate, Waddon, actually
Friday, July 09 2010, 11:48AM
“Who cares? It's a not very good poem.
The bigger issue is why Miserable Idiot of the Poxsayers' Alliance pops up everywhere claiming to be the spokesman for taxpayers.
The Taxpayers Alliance hasn't questioned the financial cost of the unwinnable and unpopular wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, goes out of its way to defend taxpayers cash being used to subsidise the royal family and would prefer to see people killed on our roads rather than have safety cameras fine drivers who deliberately break the speed limit.
They are just a front for far-right Tories.”