An Interview with Deputy Lord Mayor Designate Chaz Singh
David of Plymouth Buzz had a chat with his close friend Councillor Chaz Singh the new Deputy Lord Mayor designate of Plymouth
Hi Chaz! Congratulations on your new position as Deputy Lord Mayor of Plymouth – What a remarkable achievement!
Thank you and thanks to the new Lord Mayor Mike Wright for nominating me as his Deputy.
It has been quite a year for you. First elected as a Plymouth City Councillor and now Deputy Lord Mayor designate – How do you feel?
The greatest days of my life!
What does it mean to you as a Sikh to be the Deputy Lord Mayor and a Plymouth City Councillor?
Proud to be a Sikh, proud to the Deputy Lord Mayor, proud to be a Councillor and proud of Plymouth. There’s a lot to be proud of.
You are one of Plymouth’s most noticeable people that is quite remarkable. How do you handle being so well known and noticeable?
Am I? That’s probably because you don’t see many Sikhs in Plymouth. As an ambassador of the Sikh faith I am also an ambassador for Plymouth
How do you see your term as Deputy Lord Mayor? How will you be active in the community?
What a year 2012 holds for Plymouth, the Olympic Torch, Armed Forces Week, St Georges Day, Thanksgiving plus the Sport Mile Pirate Fun Run on March 25th – to name but a few. If there’s a reason for an event that will promote Plymouth you’ll see me at it! I’ll probably be over active for the next 12 months.
What does Sarah, the Deputy Lady Mayoress, think of your incredible achievements? Is she looking forward to the coming year?
Behind every successful man there’s a good woman. She’s been an amazing tower of support and I’m sure she will thoroughly enjoy her year as Deputy Lady Mayoress too.
Do you have any plans to promote Plymouth and strengthen its position as a really friendly tourist destination?
First and foremost wherever I go I always say ‘’Chaz Singh from Plymouth’’. Plymouth is a lovely place and would promote and recommend Plymouth to anyone and everybody to come and visit this beautiful city of ours. We have it all here, the Moors, the Hoe, Barbican, Royal William Yard, the maritime history and so much more.
How can we, as a City, encourage the University to blend in with everyday life in Plymouth?
The University adds the vibrancy, the hustle and bustle to Plymouth. I have good links with the University and students; they are always willing to have an involvement in what’s happening in Plymouth
It’s sad to mention this really but how can we as a City tackle the racist attacks that have been in the print media recently? Can Plymouth ever be multi-racial?
As the 1st Sikh Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Plymouth I hope that we can become a City of tolerance. Education is valuable and with some of the work I’ve done I can see the power education has. Plymouth is a diverse city and we need to highlight and showcase the contribution the different communities have made in Plymouth, ensure we are an integrated society and live together harmoniously.
Do you have any events planned throughout the year?
Well, there will be so many. I am looking forward to them all. There is so much that goes on in Plymouth. I actually can’t wait for St George’s Day this year. I’m also happy to be involved with the American community in Plymouth they hold a lovely Thanksgiving Day each year, they also have something pretty special lined up for next year.
You’re from Birmingham Chaz, why choose Plymouth as your home?
We moved here and bought a business and I have made Plymouth my home now with my wife and 2 children and many, many friends. Where else can you have Dartmoor as your back garden and Plymouth Sound at your front door?
Any special people that have helped driveyou forward and been a friend?
There are so many and they know who they are, from all walks of life, Once a friend always a friend.
To wrap up here. What team do you support?
Let’s say ‘’Come on you Greens’’ you get my drift….Plymouth Argyle.
Ha! Ha! That’s where we met
Chaz you have a great year my friend and here’s to a multi-cultural Plymouth
Thank you to Plymouth Buzz and no doubt I’ll be seeing you around