Where’s the passion and the optimism?

I HAVE always happily paid the modest £84 town council element of the total Council Tax, in the knowledge that it will be spent in St Ives, going towards subsidising all the non-profit-making amenities such as Slepe Hall field, The Waits, Warner's Park and the Norris Museum, all of which make the town such a pleasant place to live. I certainly have not begrudged my contribution to the Corn Exchange fund of £500,000 amassed over the last five years.

What would our communities be like if all town councils were to sell off everything that did not turn a profit, out of fear that we taxpayers would be up in arms?

Our town councillors have all happily told us in their election leaflets that they possess the positive energy, courage and vision necessary to make decisions on our behalf for the benefit of future generations.

It goes without saying that most of these decisions will not be easy, may even be contentious, and that not all of them will necessarily be expected to make apparent economic sense.

However, I was disappointed at the town council meeting on September 13, to find no courage, optimism or passion in the air.

There was no mention of heritage or community. The emphasis was on liability, risk, cost, viability and tax burdens.

I did not recognise the people I had voted for.

The Corn Exchange has always been popular and well-used, both in its heyday, especially when properly managed, and even latterly when it was always a pleasant but not very salubrious building.

Once regenerated, it would undoubtedly be an invaluable asset and a credit to the town, drawing events and community groups to it like a magnet.

JAN DOBSON, Rookery Close, St Ives