GUARDIAN COMMENT: The borough has plenty to be pleased about as we enter a new year (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

GUARDIAN COMMENT: The borough has plenty to be pleased about as we enter a new year

5:55pm Tuesday 29th December 2009 in

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SO 2009 comes to an end with news of another murder investigation in Waltham Forest.

David Joslin was walking home from a Christmas party when he was knocked unconscious - he never woke up.

It is too early to say what happened precisely but investigating officers are convinced Mr Joslin was merely trying to act as a peacemaker and the 23-year-old was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mr Joslin's death follows the unsolved rape and murder of Michelle Samaraweera and the killings of teenagers Michael Wright and Wahab Zaaki.

The year has also seen a crisis over the number of primary school places in the borough, a dispute over Ascham Homes leaseholders' fees for and the ongoing council scandal over regeneration funds.

But before we become too downhearted there were also reasons to be cheerful in 2009.

Despite the high profile killings, the number of murders in Waltham Forest actually halved in 2009, according to the latest Metropolitan Police statistics.

The borough's community has proved its unity time and time again, including coming together to 'Reclaim the Streets' following the Samaweera murder and the campaign for more police, which has now been signed by over 6,000 people.

Events such as the E17 Art Trail and the Mela have again showcased a creativity and community spirit which is often lacking in other London boroughs.

And we can only hope that our leading councillors and council officers mean what they say when they promise greater accountability and transparency following the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund fiasco.

As we reflect on 2009 and look forward to 2010 we must remind ourselves we live in a vibrant borough with a strong sense of community, and that good can emerge even from the most negative events of the past 12 months.

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