Council have a difficult job

Mar 6 2009

THE POSTS’ letter pages have become a lively forum for discussion on SAC's performance.

This week there were nine letters on the subject, eight of which attacked our elected councillors - some quite aggressively and emotionally, particularly the unsigned ones; only my letter was in any way supportive of their position.

May I ask the Post to indulge my efforts to try to redress the balance a little.

I should first of all state that I am not and have never been a councillor and in my wildest dreams would not wish to be one. I do know, however, that our councillors have not the slightest desire to close any of the institutions such as the Gaiety, Girvan swimming pool, Pets Corner, Dalmilling Golf Course etc.

Life would be so much more pleasant for them if there was enough money for everything and everyone would be happy.

The present administration was elected two years ago because voters thought the previous councillors had not been doing a good job and the voters were right because it was discovered that the council was running a huge deficit and buildings such as the Gaiety and Girvan swimming pool etc had been allowed to fall into disrepair.

The present administration has to get rid of the deficit and at the same time try to keep as many services going as possible.

They are faced with almost impossible choices as to where available funds should be spent and it will not get easier as the economic situation worsens.

I am sure that they will be more impressed with reasoned letters such as the one by G Henderson arguing for Dalmilling Golf Course than by unsigned ones accusing them of incompetency and worse.

The writers may get the satisfaction of seeing their letters in print but I do not think they do their cause much good.

I do agree that the information process from the council seems inadequate.

It would be very interesting and useful if the Post had a regular feature where SAC advised us in advance before decisions are made of necessary changes they are considering and the reasons for these so that there could be better informed discussion on your pages.

Tom Crozier

Eglinton Terrace

Ayr