SIR,

All prospective candidates for the forthcoming county and comunity elections, wil be, or should be able to tell the public of their past achievements and future campaigns.

Easier to judge past records of councillors than new hopefuls. People will have formed their own views of the needs in their wards and no doubt the rest of Monmouth.

Having lived here all my life, I despair. Looking around my own ward of Overmonnow. Trying (even offering) to get the car ports painted meets excuses, year after year.

When I have contacted the housing association and their partners, like Monmouthshire County Council, we are given excuses.

Grassed areas used for parking. Hedges grubbed out. Heavy lorries used along Wonastow Road ignore the signs, easy to see how places soon get run down.

The public tell those who they think have the authority to act, all too often to find them impotent.

Excuses of finance plausible. Ok, we are in a period of austerity.

I remember the 50sand 60s, but don't remember the litter and neglect of the smaller issues by councillors.

If we don't take pride in the place we live, what will present and future generations reap?

We don't need talking shops, we need action or revolution.

SG Gilbert

(Monmouth)