IT DOES not surprise me that Kirklees councillors have been forced into adopting a better system of governance by the government (Councillors make “appalling” change – Examiner 25.03.10).

Indeed, I thought that it was strange that no one that I had spoken to had heard of the so-called people consultation on an elected ‘Executive’ Mayor. But this does not surprise me at all also, as our councillors would have been worse off and where now they have to accept the least unpleasant of the two evils in their eyes and elect a powerful leader – ‘their’ leader of course and not ours.

The other was never on the cards for them though, as an all-powerful Mayor would have curtailed their steady-state regime and where all of them would have been worse off financially and politically.

If this is democracy in Kirklees where our councillors elect their own leader against the people electing their preferred leader as an executive Mayor, local democracy has sunk to its lowest level yet.

Indeed, what is local politics all about in Kirklees anymore has to be the question?

I hope that the people of Huddersfield keep these things in mind when it comes to voting in May and vote in councillors who are for the people and not just for themselves.

Dr David Hill

Independent Candidate for Golcar

Tales about Rebecca

IT WAS interesting to read Raymond Prior’s memories of Greenhead Park (My mother nearly drowned, Examiner March 31), especially the reference to the fountain featuring the figure of Rebecca, which seems to have attracted fond memories down the years.

Š I’m currently researching a history of the park, to be published by the Friends of Greenhead Park, which I hope can include an accurate account of Rebecca’s “life and death”

It would be good to hear from any readers who can confirm Šher exact location in the parkŠ or the year of her final disappearance.Š

Any other historical information about the park would also be most welcome.Š

I can be contactedŠc/o FoGP, PO Box 1588, Huddersfield HD1 9PA or by e-mail to fogphuddersfield@googlemail.com

ŠDavid Griffiths

Edgerton

Fishing for a fair society

A £1000 fine has been handed out for selling a goldfish?

Is this the fair society of which Gordon Brown talked of or should it be read as fare society.

Yes, the shop keeper was in the wrong for selling the fish to a 14 year old boy.

What happened to giving the shopkeeper a warning, re-education, call it what you may, but this was a sledge hammer to crack a nut.

The people involved with this entrapment, for that is surely what it was, should feel extremely proud that this master criminal has been brought to book.

We can all now sleep easier in our beds at night.

Every day we see great injustices take place in the law courts whereby the powers that be forget about the wronged and concentrate on the human rights of the criminals.

Is this the fair society that we wish to live in? Totalitarian is more the word for where we are headed.

Mr Brown and company need to start opening their eyes and their minds to those they represent.

Just for once can they try considering that they are not always right. I know it goes against the grain but give it a go.

R J Bray

Shelley

Learning from history

R VANT is right to say we should not look back through rose tinted spectacles, but that should not stop us learning from the best in history (Examiner March 27)

I am researching municipal history at the University of Huddersfield, and love reading about the days when we all controlled our own local utility companies.

There is a chance to learn from that, as long as Holme Valley Parish council stop selling our assets and invests in them instead.

I can think of at least one of the sites they have sold recently that could have been considered as suitable for a community owned windmill.

Just think. A windmill owned by the Parish council. Holme Valley selling local electricity to the national grid helping to save the earth’s resources.

The council can keep a little to cover the investment and administrative costs. The rest is invested in community projects, including ones the parish council wants to promote.

Each year at election time we have a local referendum so all the people can choose the community projects they want to invest in. Local socialism in the making. Let’s learn from history – we were pioneers here before, and can be again.

Anne Baldwin

Holmfirth

Lighting up time

NOR from Meltham asks ( Mailbag March 31) about street lamp N0 165 in Huddersfield Road and why it is still not repaired .

I can tell him/her that it will be replaced on Wednesday April 7.

Cllr David Woodhead

Liberal Democrat, Holme Valley North

Drugs policy shambles

IT IS with great interest and shall I say slight amusement that I have over the last few years looked on the complete and utter shambles of this Government’s attempts at controlling “recreational” drugs.

The banning of drugs like marijuana, cannabis, LSD and a host of other chemical substitutes, that give an induced high.

The more they ban and the more interesting to our young these become.

Do not get this wrong. I personally can’t see the benefits any of these can bring.

The one thing all these drugs either man-made or natural have in common, is I am sorry to say not what harm they do to the human health and immune system but the fact that they are not government controlled ( that is the government is not the Drug Baron) and the profits are therefore not going into the government coffers as a taxable asset.

If Health and Safety were the only factors involved – as they keep saying , then why is there not a complete ban placed on a nicotine and alcohol?

It does not surprise me that yet another Drug Advisor has resigned.

It is just another reason this arm of the Labservative political party should hang their heads in shame.

Yes Labservative is a correct name.It is the none difference between the labour party and conservative party over the last 65 years, and the reason why at the next election people should vote anything but!

Chris Woolnough

Linthwaite

Blooming marvellous

I THINK the displays of spring flowers around Huddersfield have been truly magnificent this year.

I’ve noticed that additional areas have been planted up at Queensgate, Berry Brow and Jim Lane, Marsh.

These certainly help to brighten up our days after a long, hard winter. I believe the credit must go to Mr Alexander Munro of Leisure Services, who has been responsible for arranging the planting schemes over the last seven years. I understand he is retiring after 50 years with the council. The displays will last for many years to come and continue to cheer people up in the spring.

Wendy Hockney

Huddersfield

Enough paid

I DO NOT know whether the war in Afghanistan is justified. I am not competent to judge.

I do know that it has taken the lives of far too many young British men and women compared to the lives of our so-called European partners.

Look at the figures for fatalities: Belgium 1; France 40; Germany 38; Spain 28; Italy 22; Portugal 2; and Denmark 31.

UK, 280.

Whilst France and Germany, through their dominance of the EU, continue to foist their political and economic beliefs upon us, they seem quite content for our young people to die to support the very system on which they depend.

I think we have paid enough. I think it is time that our European partners took their turn in the front line.

I publicly pledge my vote at the forthcoming General Election to whichever of the main political parties promises to bring our forces home during the life of the next Parliament.

I do not know how to start or run a campaign on a single issue such as this. I do believe that so many of my fellow countrymen and women feel as I do that it could determine the outcome of the election.

Richard A Bulloch

Meltham

Rude response

I HAVE just returned from Sainsbury’s by the island from Kingsgate.

I must say to the rude lady who objected to me using my Blue Badge in a disabled parking area that I too am entitled to use these spaces regardless of age.

I may only be 50 with rheumatoid arthritis and find difficulty in walking without my stick, but if you would like my condition, you are welcome to my badge and parking space as it was NOT YOU that has the problem with walking.

Steph

Marsh