How about a fee for the items listed which I as a ratepayer subsidises but never use.

1. Plastic bags provided by council for pet owners to dispose of their pets waste products.

2. Containers provided and emptied by council for the the disposal of syringes.

3. We also have libraries with free access to books and the internet.

I already pay for my internet service and I have to pay through my rates to give other people free internet.

These are only a few items that just came to mind and I am sure that if I put a bit more thought into it I could come up with a lot more.

I think that council should scrap the kerbside cleanup (which makes the streets look untidy) and the money saved would go to offset free use of the tip.

I also believe that there would be less illegal dumping if tip fees were scrapped.

Spare land at the bottom of Equestrian Drive is a popular spot for dumping with people driving past the tip to get to it, so what does that tell you.

Stuart Harrison

New Beith

Mr Wood offers that they have “some work to do” but won’t get around to do anything until “pricing for the 2011/12 financial year”.

By then all of us honest and trustworthy people will have set the precedent by pay-ing that ridiculous $408 charge for access to their service.

They will then be able to say that the majority have accepted our charging rates and we intend to continue them because we think that they are fair or words to that effect. Mr Woods’ statement that pricing differed across Logan City, since amalgamation means that they think we got away with it all the last two years, so we will in future.

He also points to investment expenditure of a likely $335 million, which is only his estimate, and implies that justifies the service charge for existing infrastructure.

That is straight out flim-flam again because the Greater Flagstone and Yarrabilba developers and, ultimately, the new owners of blocks served by the new infrastructure will be paying that cost.

Did Mr Woods manage to keep a straight face while he was telling those porkies?

Lin M Hall

Cedar Grove

For me, this could mean a 25 metre concrete pole and high voltage powerlines across my property.

Despite my protests, Energex assured me that this upgrade “will happen”.

Well, it seems that Energex is pursuing the concept of “it will happen” by offering people compensation before this upgrade has even been approved by the Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson.

This action is both immoral and unethical.

What right does Energex have to offer payment for something that may not happen?

I have to wonder about the residents that have already agreed to a compensation settlement and the potential financial stress Energex may cause them if this upgrade isn’t approved.

I’d like to know how Energex is choosing the residents to which they offer compensation.

Is there method in their madness?

Are they targeting people they believe are vulnerable?

Or are we just witnessing Energex playing more dirty tricks where the primary aim is to divide and conquer and show the Minister that many of the residents don’t have any concerns with the proposed upgrade.

Contrary to the actions of Energex, I want the Minister to know that the directly affected residents do not want this upgrade on their properties.

The Energex concept of “it will happen” isn’t correct and there are lower impact alternatives.

I want all residents affected by this upgrade to let the Minister know exactly how they feel. For those residents affected by the proposed upgrade, remember that you have three years to decide on compensation if this upgrade goes ahead.

Many of us have no real idea of the actual impact this upgrade will have on our properties, lifestyle and environment.

Only time will tell so use this time wisely and don’t settle for second best.

If you do find yourself in the situation where you are confronted with a contract from Energex, do not accept the offer.

You have plenty of time, so don’t be coerced into making a spontaneous decision.  Make sure you contact a solicitor and VETO.

Remember, an informed decision is the best decision of all.

Debbie Gilbert

Logan Village

Cr Sean Black wants our community to believe that I alone am responsible for the   council budget.

How wonderful it would be if this were true, we would not need councillors, committees, or budget steering committees  to achieve my goals, visions and passion of securing the future for our children and grandchildren.

However the truth is that the Act still  requires the 12 councillors plus the Mayor to make budget and governance  decisions.

Councillor Black knows this, or at least as a councillor he should, and he should not be misleading our community to try to score cheap political points.

If he was uncertain then a quick conversation with our CEO or a call to the Department would have ensured he had the facts.

Leadership  is always a challenge but if one is passionate about our youth, our families and the future of our city as I am, you have to push through in spite of those who use cheap popular politics to create mischief and misinformation in our community.

I believe, “Light will always outshine the darkness”.

My focus as Mayor has and always will be about securing the future for our children.

I want to see every child have a love of reading, receive a good education, and secure employment.

I remain focused on attracting business investment  opportunities over the coming years to provide secure employment and home ownership for our current and future residents.

I am personally disgusted by the behaviour of a couple  of our councillors who are now becoming well known in media and political circles as Logan’s contentious councillors and are infamous for their lack of integrity in their use of the media.

In spite of their political agendas, please be assured the majority of councillors and the Logan City staff are working diligently out in their communities and behind the scenes, endeavouring to meet the needs of  three unique communities to form one great city.

I thank them all for sharing this vision for the future and be assured in spite of a couple of contentious councillors, our city is in good hands.

Mayor Pam Parker

Logan City