Sir,

Stuart Wilson seems overly sensitive for a man who likens himself to some sort of Rambo-like figure, busting down doors 'with all guns blazing', an image that would be offensive were it not so laughable.

He accuses me of name calling. I have re-read my letter to the Beacon and can only assume he is referring to the words "childish" and "petulant" which I used to describe his attack on his fellow town councillors for having the temerity to utilise their democratic vote against his views.

I would contend that these adjectives were perfectly accurate then and remain so now, hardly name calling. Indeed, Mr Wilson proves he is no stranger to the politics of the playground with his ridiculous presumption that I had "lost the argument" because of this perceived injustice.

A successful career in Westminster surely beckons for him where this sort of yah boo, nah nah na nah behaviour is welcomed.

I suspect that Westminster would also appreciate the way Mr Wilson fudges answers to specific questions with well-rehearsed generalisations. He failed to address any one of the issues raised about the Hillcrest vicarage application concerning access, the destruction of peoples' peaceful lives and property and the irresponsibility of further development when the impact of the 42 houses on the old school site will not be known for some years.

He seems obsessed with his conspiracy theory that better services have not been provided for Monmouth because of "opposition to development".

Let us be clear. I believe a great many of us who oppose certain developments would be more amenable to negotiations about those developments if there were any prospect at all of improvements in roads, public transport, education and employment in the town.

Surely, housing and infrastructure development should go hand in hand, you could call it 'planning'. Mr Wilson's "if we build it, they will come" theory is no more than an empty Field of Dreams Hollywood fantasy, proven by the mysterious disappearance of the school which was supposed to be part of the Rockfield Road development.

You can "proactively seek" as much dialogue as you like with the county council and the Welsh Government but the fact will always remain that those bodies have a vested interest in increasing council tax income from new housing while at the same time limiting spending on services, especially in these austere times.

On a purely practical level, Monmouth is not some purpose-built new town. It is a small market town with a limited capacity for people and vehicles within its current limited service levels.

There are traffic pressure-points at every entrance to Wyesham and the town which are only going to get worse and the school playing fields are constantly shrinking; parking is beyond ridiculous.

It is illogical and irresponsible to keep adding to these numbers without any thought for infrastructure.

Finally, lest I be accused of "negativity" again, I should make mention of those who do "demand respect" (incidentally, at no point have I demanded respect from Mr Wilson, simply "consideration" for the Hillcrest pensioners).

Bob Hayward stood up to his ex-party puppeteers and voted with his conscience on the Local Development Plan, a lesson to councillors White and Hackett Pain.

Clearly, a man of principle although he may wish to reconsider his opinion on the Hillcrest vicarage.

Most especially though, a word of thanks and support to the man dedicating himself to improving the ambulance service.

His tireless devotion to his cause should serve as an inspiration to anyone who believes that ordinary folk cannot make a difference.

Would that our councils were filled with people of the calibre of Mat Davies. Then what a better world we world we would inhabit.

Chris Williams

(Monmouth)