THE purpose of this letter is two-fold: firstly I congratulate the Mercury over its comprehensive cover of all council matters, particularly the emphasis given to the names and respective responsibilities (or lack of demonstrable responsibility) of counci

THE purpose of this letter is two-fold: firstly I congratulate the Mercury over its comprehensive cover of all council matters, particularly the emphasis given to the names and respective responsibilities (or lack of demonstrable responsibility) of councillors directly concerned with these affairs.Secondly, as the list of council ponderings and blunderings could occupy a whole weekly publication in its own right, I urge the citizens of Weston to utilise this coverage by committing to memory certain names and use the power of their vote.If we are apathetic and assume that some other 'keen sort' will express outrage at the ballot box on our behalf then we will deserve a clone of the council that this behaviour has already given to us.Weston has the potential to once again be a rare and good place to live; but we must fight for that to happen - or anything of cultural, historic, aesthetic, useful or simple enjoyment value will be 'conveniently' disposed of, or 'conveniently' explained away, filling another money pot beside the council's beloved residential tax coffers, to fund further secretive and irresponsible development decisions, hidden under the camouflage net labelled Secret Plans/Secret Budget.The opportunity for change is within our grasp. The next time we buy this newspaper we should also buy a notebook. And write in it. And keep it close to hand.P HUNTER - Trewartha Park, Weston