Ed, Our rate rise of 8% per year in five years time will be costing the average property owner an estimated $13 – $16 per week because it is worked out at the compound interest rate. Now this will hurt the lower paid and especially pensioners as a $32 per fortnight extra impost cannot be replaced in pension rises. I think that it is about time that we looked closely at all aspects of our council administration as I am of the opinion that the people formulating policy leave a lot to be desired. On top of this we have a mayor who is past his use by date. We badly need a mayor with a vision for the whole of the area who is prepared to listen to the wishes of the people. In many cases mayors lose contact with their people and this is a case in point. Charles John Lincoln, Gulmarrad