I have noted that for some months a number of readers have described at length their disappointment and despair in local services and the general performance of policy makers who are responsible for the appearance and function of the town.
I have also felt this way for quite some time, but this has gradually changed since coming into contact with one of my local parish councillors.
Coun Bellamy of the Weston Hills ward has worked for our local children for several years against many setbacks and obstacles to bring our children desperately needed facilities for outside play and we are now on the cusp of providing the children with a safe place to play away from cars.
Coun Bellamy has also been instrumental in several other large local projects that are of high value for the local residents, including ensuring the survival and restoration of local landmarks and their continued public use.
I have found Coun Bellamy to be a breath of fresh air, kind, honest, professional and, above all, competent without any taint of politics or clique.
This has restored some of my faith that things can get better as it proves that improving the lives of local people, improving the infrastructure and achieving a fair, positive outcome is just a question of getting the right people in the job.
Things in our village will now take a long overdue turn for the better.
I must thank the whole of Weston Hills Parish Council for their work and altruism in making sure that after many years of setbacks that this project is now reaching fulfilment due to their team work.
Going back to the issues of Spalding, the question is this; where a town has steadily declined over the last decade and a half and most of the district councillors have continually been in post overseeing this decline, is it not time for us the public to find those kind, honest, professional and competent people and convince them to put their hat in the ring?
As much as I would be sorry for our local councillor to be at anyone else’s service, I acknowledge she is exactly what Spalding needs and I would encourage and endorse her whole-heartedly to step forward.
I hope there are many others who have proven themselves more than an asset to their community who could also stand on their achievements to challenge the orthodox mediocracy, patronage or simple lack of care that seems to have plagued the local district authorities leading to this decay of Spalding.
There is hope, but I think we need to find it for ourselves.
David Doherty
Weston Hills