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With former parish Constables in his bloodline, he's a man with Jersey running through him - as well as a little of Spain and France too.
Language teacher Andy Picot's parents, Mike and Angeline (née Buesnel), both served their birth parishes (Trinity and St Martin), while his maternal grandfather and great-grandfather, Tom and Charles, were St. Martin Connétables.
He is also the grandson of another Connétable, Trinity's Len Picot.
It is no surprise, therefore, that Andy is a big fan of helping the community. The St. Martinais of 20 years, who now lives in Trinity, is a self-confessed Battle of Flowers "stalwart", has been the Secretary of a French twinning association, and games coach, while also helping Jersey's Festival Choir as its publicity manager.
Pictured: Andy is a languages teacher.
That connection to Jersey is reflected through the former Victoria College teacher's offering of Jerriais as part of his business, Complete Languages Tuition and Services. And when he's not spreading the island's native tongue, he's teaching others about la joie of Français and sharing his pasión for Español.
But today he thought he'd teach the island a thing or two - actually, five things - about how it can improve...
On a very best endeavours basis, our government/civil servants and management in the private sector must promptly action pledges and promises.
Pictured: Andy wants politicians and government always keep to their word.
They should do the right thing in a timely fashion on the first occasion, by fully considering professional advice (cross-referencing successful practice in other comparable nations and like-for-like jurisdictions) and properly consulting ordinary citizens.
Islanders should share their talents and gifts by freely exchanging professional and recreational resources and services.
Pictured: We’d be a better island if we shared our skills and worked together, according to Andy.
Cultural, social, linguistic, professional and recreational fortes should be reciprocated as service sharing (1:1) via drop-ins. This is easily affordable because it is free and could be weekly or monthly (30minutes x 2).
We should go green with recycling and transport – professionals, school students and leisure alike – in both the town and countryside.
Pictured: The theme of green should run through all aspects of our life.
Every Parish ought to have a complete recycling system (collection and disposal) and ample labelled bins and skips. The winter bus service to remote and sparsely-populated areas of the island must be much improved.
Government should go with the advice of professionals from the offset – the new hospital is one example – without undue delay.
Pictured: Andy warns that the island’s population is growing and aging, and wishes that the future hospital debate had been concluded long ago.
The former Health Minister, Deputy Anne Pryke, submitted a perfectly sensible and sustainable plan for the future hospital. Now we are years down the line with an ageing and growing population to care for on-isle, but there has been no change whatsoever and nothing remotely better on offer.
What an insanely wicked waste of funds/resources/time/effort!
Islanders should establish a healthy work and pleasure routine and stick to a balance.
Pictured: Work and life balance is important in looking after wellbeing.
Well-being is paramount. On this occasion, the statistics about mental health are real fact.
Fairly regular open and transparent verbal communication between manager and worker(s) is paramount as is regularly exercising and sleeping in a set routine, unaffected by excessive white light.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and not of Bailiwick Express.
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