I UNDERSTAND Brian Austin (letter in Opinion, November 3) is a local historian. I would have thought he would have wanted to check with me the veracity of my statement

I UNDERSTAND Brian Austin (letter in Opinion, November 3) is a local historian. I would have thought he would have wanted to check with me the veracity of my statement regarding the tactics of this council. Instead he chose to publish his concerns in Opinion, his democratic right of course.My statement regarding the way North Somerset Council and some councillors intimidate and victimise can easily be substantiated. I have personal experience of this therefore I do not make these statements easily. All concerned including the electorate should be ashamed of this situation and that even people as knowledgeable as Mr Austin are either blind to it or prefer to ignore the reality.Like many people in North Somerset, Mr Austin writes to the press on many subjects that concern him, an easy way to vent frustration. Unfortunately letters change nothing, only those who are willing to stand up and take direct action make change.People like Dick Whittington, David Evans, and the small group of individuals I am proud to work with in the North Somerset Community Action Association are the makers of change. These individuals give their time and money to fight for the community without concern for recognition or power. The Mr Austins of this world are one of the reasons why North Somerset Council can waste tens of millions of taxpayers' money, without a single council officer or politician being held accountable. The electorate of North Somerset is treated with contempt, disdain, and indifference by those we elected, and those whose salaries we pay, yet Mr Austin, instead of questioning the statement, rushes to the aid of the system. Perhaps I am wrong and North Somerset Council is just a group of misunderstood officials.JAMES A DOBSONvia e-mail