I AM able to confirm Kate Lock’s prediction in her column of May 6. I did not vote, and I shall continue to complain. I did offer to vote, but my offer was not accepted.
I had received a rather encouraging letter from a candidate who promised to “pop round for a chat” if I had any problems. Well, I have, so I popped round an email. I offered to vote for him if he would support me in my long-standing complaint against the council. He did not pop round, or even reply to my email, so I didn’t vote. Fair’s fair.
It might be argued that this was a rather egotistical expectation on my part; that I should be more public-spirited and complain about pot-holes, or parking charges or council extravagance. Perhaps, but perceived injustice is important too. If council officers can deal unjustly with one resident, does not this indicate that they can deal unjustly with any resident?
The reluctance of our elected representatives to take on unelected officers head-on worries me. They have no compunction about slating each other. Councillors come and go, but real power lies more and more with the untouchable unelected. Is this a good thing?
William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb.
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