JIM Fitzpatrick has seen plenty over his 31 years as a councillor to know things have changed.
But one thing remains the same – the passion of people willing to meet him face-to-face.
The Hyde Godley councillor is stepping down at this year’s local elections but will be willing to offer advice to any successor.
He will also be involved in politics as leader of the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency Labour Party.
And as he prepares to bring the curtain down on his own career as a councillor, he is proud of achievements in the town since he was first elected in Werneth ward in 1990.
Those he has met, though, sit at the top of his personal list.
Jim said: “I was thinking about what stood out and it’s the people I’ve met over the years, people I respect.
“I wouldn’t have had chance to meet those people in another walk of life. A lot respect you and there are genuine, honest people you grow to like. There are also many I’d consider to be friends.
“Some people may think not much has changed but there’s a huge difference over the period of time that I’ve been a councillor.
“When I was elected, I thought, ‘Right, I’m going to change things,’ and while we’ve achieved a lot, my dad always used to say, ‘Eating bread is soon forgotten. People constantly want more.’
“Where I live used to be James North’s dipping factory, I used to walk past it when I was 16 years old.
“I was on a march with people from Senior Service and once got on a coach to London with them at 5am.
“And we’ve seen several schools replaced and built. I recall a petition against Greenfield Primary School because it was on James North’s bowling green.
“We built James North’s a new bowling green. Leigh Street school was an old Victorian building that literally had buckets out to catch water in the classrooms.
“When Alder Community High was proposed, there were huge protests about building on the sites. Now the children or grandchildren of those protesting go there.
“It was a benefit for us. Hyde High was rebuilt and the tower blocks in Hattersley came down and Hyde is completely different than in 1990.
“We’ve also built a new pool at Hyde Leisure Pool, which attracts about 300,000 visitors a year.
Hyde does need a refresh, as towns do every 10 or 20 years, but there’s a lot going on.”
Jim’s introduction to local politics saw him overturn a 700-vote deficit in July 1989 to a 500-vote win in May 1990, with him putting it down to the rebellion against the Poll Tax at the time.
He then lost in 1998 but was re-elected in Godley in 1999 – a position he has held ever since.
Not every change has been positive, though, as Jim’s reign has spanned the era of the Internet and social media.
That, of course, has meant easier access to those who serve their area – and, unfortunately, extra abuse.
“Anybody can put anything they want on social media,” he added. “We’re all taking backhanders, we’re all bent.
“Someone even said I should be strung up in the street from the nearest lamppost. Some of what’s said is appalling.
“Look at the local MPs – Angela Rayner has to walk around with two police guards because she’s had death threats on social media.
“Back in 1990, there was that respect for politicians at the time. It seems to have gone a bit but I’d rather attend public events as people sit behind computers and say things they’d never say to someone’s face.
“Now everything’s online, it’s a lot easier and you get abuse. People send me abuse online and they have far more access to councillors.
“I held regular surgeries, I still do, and that was the only way they could see me. Now I got e-mails, texts and messages and information is much more available.
“When I give an answer, someone could say, ‘That’s wrong. Back on this date, you said this. I’m thinking, ‘That was 10 years ago.’
“And there’s a real difference in how people treat councillors. When I first came on, there were real stalwarts of communities who were very well respected.
“More people tended to vote back then too. The numbers have decreased over the years.
“The amount of people who don’t consider local politics as being worth voting for is really sad. More people should get involved.”
After 31 years’ service, the obvious question is, ‘Why now?’
And Jim has a simple answer as he replied: “I’ve done 31 years, so I felt it’s the right time. I always thought I’d do 30 years.
“I’ve done my time and I felt it’s time for me to step away and let someone else take it on but I’ll still be willing to help out. I’m not walking away from politics completely and I’m always at the end of the phoneline if anyone needs me.”