THERE has been some truly outstanding correspondence in the Citizen from public spirited local people during the month of March regarding the truth of the past management performance at the town hall (viz: Cllr Nick Westwell, Michael Jackson, Council employee etc).

Is the battle being won? Yes I feel, slowly but surely, but don't get complacent there is still much work to be done as outlined by Citizen Smith and the Citizen editor in this week's edition (28/3/02) ' a vigilant public and a free press can ensure that the authorities are actually held to account.'

A thoughtful Angela Huck quite rightly recognises the contribution made by Brigadier Mike Ford, the ratepayer who has submitted the principal objection to the District Auditor concerning 'Blobbygate'.

A remarkable, highly intelligent, outstanding and honourable retired British gentleman who has devoted four years of his life investigating and presenting a case on behalf of the ratepayer, without any payment or reimbursement of expenses.

If based on the quality of the evidence presented there is a successful outcome for ratepayers it will, in my opinion, be a truly outstanding individual achievement and one which future generations of ratepayers will benefit from.

'Highly respected and experienced' a phrase that has been doing its rounds in the local press.

Mike Ford and the Citizen editor Greg Morgan are certainly worthy of such a public statement and ratepayers owe them a huge vote of thanks in my opinion.

When top ranking officers and councillors of a local authority create an unsavoury brotherhood which establishes itself in the local press and a professional independent journalist comes into town whose employment is threatened simply by his commitment and self-determination to print the truth there is something seriously wrong!

Regarding 'wilful misconduct', I believe some of our past and present officers and elected members at the town hall, including one of our elected MPs, Hilton Dawson, have plenty to occupy their minds before the final outcome of the District Auditor's ' Blobbygate' public enquiry.

I wonder what the District Auditor would have to say about the Winter Gardens and its 'reconstruction', the Salt Ayre swimming pool project, the regeneration work carried out in the West End of Morecambe, the Civic Illuminations case, the departure of the former town clerk, Mr Burrows, etc.

Ratepayer

Morecambe

Whether their conduct was wilful or not is an academic point as far as I'm concerned.

Whoever was responsible for those ridiculous decisions that cost the public a fortune was simply not up to the job...

fact.

They should go and so should anyone who has tried to protect them or failed to root out the truth - it is they who are responsible for the astronomic costs.

If it can be proven that there was wilful misconduct (as opposed to gross stupidity and negligence) then they should throw the book at them - some are already relooking at the whole Winter Gardens business...

so watch this space - Ed.