TWILIGHT ZONE

IF you want to enter the twilight zone, go to a meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council.

A motion commending the Labour Government for its achievements since 1997 was passed only because Conservative councillors supported the proposal and voted with the Labour Group.

Worse was to come. The Mayor appears to have offered the Tall Ships Race organisers a blank cheque for race hospitality.

According to the Mayor, current cost estimates are £2.2m-plus (equivalent to approximately a seven per cent council tax increase) and rising.

Either the Mayor really doesn't have a clue about the ultimate cost of the 2010 event or, possibly, he is hoping to keep it quiet until after he seeks re-election in 2009.

Is this sound financial management of public money? I think not.

Even more confusing is the hunt for a Tall Ships project manager.

Did the Mayor not read the bid submitted by Hartlepool council?

This included an argument for the race to come to Hartlepool because, for the past 18 years, Hartlepool council has employed an experienced events organiser, with a yacht skipper qualification, who has already crewed on more than one tall ship. - Councillor Steve Allison, UK Independence Party, Hartlepool Borough Council.

FAREWELL BRIAN

ANYBODY listening to BBC Radio Cleveland over the last few years will remember the voice of "Brian from Great Ayton".

Brian, who passed away recently, was passionate about where he lived and especially pensioner issues.

He attended all the meetings held by the Cleveland Pensioners' Forum and supported the many campaigns, such as saving post offices, free bus passes, free healthcare and many more.

Brian was a wonderful human being who cared so much about others.

Even though he was unwell, he came along to show his support for my Motor Neurone Disease-sponsored beach walk. He greeted me with a big hug. It will be my last abiding memory of him.

Thanks for your friendship, "Brian from Great Ayton". RIP. - Councillor Mike Findley, Redcar and