Sir,
With regards to the letter by Clr. Malcolm Calver (Observer, November 20) entitled 'Gravy rain has to stop', his argument has some validity in these hard times, with small businesses going to the wall every day, and yet our taxes support venues that cannot support themselves. On the other hand, without such venues, towns like Tenby or Narberth would lose their attraction, and here lies a quandary which only the venue owners can answer.
I disagree with Clr. Calver that the people are in denial over the state of the country and its finances. The only people who could do this will have gold-plated pensions and large pay packets; anyone else must be visiting from another galaxy or living in a bubble.
This brings me to my previous letter (October 30) regarding an article where Clr. John Davies stated we have hard times ahead due to a lower settlement from Cardiff Bay. He stated, to make up the shortfall, taxes may rise or services and jobs be cut. I suggested to cut from the top to save these services and jobs - to date, he has not replied to this letter.
My point in bringing this up is Clr. Calver's gravy train. Westminster and Cardiff Bay have had their gravy trains de-railed; it's time for County Hall to have theirs de-railed also - over the top wages, gold-plated pensio ns, perks, expenses, etc., all at the public's expense.
For a example, do we need two deputy leaders? If one is over-stretched with commitments, he should have resigned some or given up the deputy leadership. Now we pay for two in what Clr. Davies calls hard times.
Was it necessary to spend money on a car park survey to an external body, when County Hall have the staff to do the job?
Time for the leader to show some mettle and live up to his rhetoric of 'Value for Money'. Do what is right for us the public, not what's right for those on the train.
Mr. I. L. Williams,
Narberth.