I AM responding to the recent article in The Citizen (February 15) regarding the rise in Blackpool's council tax. It's at times like these that I wish that we could go back to the old values during mediaeval times. At least at that time you could put perpetrators of such gross mis-management into the stocks and enjoy the benefit of being able to throw things at them.

It's bad enough that we have our local social parasites trying in earnest to install casinos into the town. Oh by the way, did you know that we already have two?

Could the illustrious council please tell us just where all of last year's council tax has gone and why we "suddenly" have no funds to continue? Perhaps they are gathering money together to pay for the forthcoming Labour conference that WE THE RESIDENTS will end up paying for. What's happened to all of the revenues that the tourists supposedly "brought into the town" during 2000?

A council is supposed to operate as a team for the good of the people but it seems that that is not the case in Blackpool can't do the job, then do us all a favour and shove off. Then we'll get someone who can.

Chris Dermott, Endsleigh Gardens, Blackpool.