Re: Mix of voices way to cut angst (Moorabool Weekly, September 4):
A meeting I attended recently burst into questions unrelated to the topic of the guest speaker. One person wanted to talk about road congestion, and another said that demolishing the old library was an act of vandalism. This told me that residents don’t have a forum in which to express their concerns, and as a long-time advocate for a residents’ association in Bacchus Marsh, I suggested to John Spain that we establish an association. You can imagine my surprise when I saw the article.
My preference was for one association for all of Moorabool, with representatives from each of the towns within the shire. Now that the horse has bolted, residents are invited to log into the new Bacchus Marsh Residents Association page on Facebook and share their thoughts.
Margaret Scarff, East Moorabool ward candidate
Re: Fire levy pushes rates bill up (Melton Weekly, September 4):
Our rates for this current year are up 20.7 per cent without the fire levy. While the most profitable of organisations, such as banks and mining companies, are tightening their belts by taking costs out of their businesses, our council does not have to worry about costs. It just slugs the ratepayers for more money by increasing the rates. While no doubt it has the legal right to do so, we ask what moral right does it have, when most families and pensioners are sinking under the weight of increased cost of living. The council seems to have no problems finding money for non-essential projects, such as the money spent on works in Palmerston Street. Council must also look for cost savings within its administration. Other organisations are doing this. Melton Council should promise ratepayers it will keep rate increases to CPI or councillors should be voted out in the coming elections. I ask all candidates to make their views clear on ever-increasing council rates. Concerned ratepayer (via web)
