Heather Causnett made some very good points regarding Christian Vassie's letter about the facts behind his stipend and parking perks.

However, one fact that cannot be denied is that it is difficult to have empathy with someone completely, unless you feel the same things they do.

In other words, if councillors get free parking, their pockets won't be hit as are the general public's and they will make decisions on parking charges based on what they imagine the public can afford, rather than what the public really can afford or will be prepared to afford.

The fact that many businesses are being hit hard by lost customers who are not able to or not willing to afford the parking charges attests to this lack of understanding by councillors who receive free parking.

This is assuming that there isn't a hidden agenda in the high charges for parking, such as driving all vehicles out of the city.

W Elliott,

Kinbrace Road,

Hartlepool.

Updated: 09:11 Saturday, July 09, 2005