I CAN understand council press officer Neil Sterio's disappointment at Councillor Walker's comments (Letters, Bury Times May 28) but, having read the Metro News since it was first published, I am of the opinion that it only portrays the best of what Bury Council achieves.

Rarely, if indeed ever, are we reminded of the down-side, as in the case relating to the problems with NCP, and the malpractice admitted involving the cases of Mr McGuire and Mr Gregory.

In the edition of Metro News prior to the falsification of evidence becoming public knowledge, there was a full page article, with statements from an executive member, parking manager for Bury Council, and a senior manager from NCP, informing readers of the fairness of the enforcement. Does Mr Sterio intend to publish a further article explaining what went wrong?

There is a saying that "he who pays the piper calls the tune". It would appear that, as the Metro News is published by an employee of the council, readers will only get good news. I agree with Mr Sterio that his publication is not politically biased, but it does portray council successes, and never its failures.

Mr Sterio refers to Metro News as not being a perfect product and that he is working hard to improve it. I wish him every success but do not accept his closing comment "but it is not biased". Any publication is influenced by financial backing, in this case Bury Council, and I would be interested to know who has the final word on what is published.

My other concern is on the cost of publication, printing and distribution. Perhaps, in the next edition, we could have a breakdown of costs, then the public can decide whether their council tax is being wisely spent.

There will shortly be the election of a new council, and I hope that one of their first decisions will be to decide if the money involved is being well spent.

A. WITHINGTON.