ELECTED MAYOR

HARVEY Smith (HAS, Aug 30) says that it is a matter of choice for an elected Mayor as to whether or not to continue with ceremonial duties.

That is just one of the points that people like myself are not prepared to accept.

Why would we want to hand largely unrestricted powers of choice to any individual?

For 140 years, Darlington's wonderful mayoral chains have been on display three or four times every week, much to the delight of young and old alike, as the mayor carries out his or her designated role in supporting work in the community and the voluntary sector.

I would not like to see this change.

Of course, the issue is not purely the loss of the ceremonial work of the mayor but the whole aspect of one person being able to make irreversible decisions on very wide sweeping issues.

Is there any one individual that the people of Darlington would wish to have in such a dictatorial position and, despite what Mr Smith claims, someone who is very difficult to depose before the end of their allotted time in office?

Ask the people of Doncaster, Newham, Lewisham and Stoke how difficult it is to remove an elected mayor.

These are four of the 12 boroughs who voted in favour and who now have large groups of residents desperately trying to go back to their previous model of governance.

Yes it can be done, but only following a very long process taking years rather than months.

I feel sure that it is the common sense of the people of Darlington that will result in a clear vote "no" to a elected mayor - Alan Charlton, Middleton St George.

I WRITE to draw the electorate's attention to certain facts that are being buried by those in favour of an elected mayor.

If a "yes" vote is carried, the distinct possibility of a Conservative council in 2011 disappears forever. The Tories may have the majority of seats, but with little or no power.

There is no need to destroy a civic tradition to remove control from a Labour administration - the democratic process can do it.

To say that an elected mayor system works well in nearby authorities, and that "the chairman" is a good substitute for a traditional mayor is not true.

From personal experience, the role of "First Citizen" in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool has been diminished.

People in Darlington are proud of their ceremonial mayor, are proud of the Mayor's Charity work, and Annual Ball, which raise together £40,000 each year for a variety of good causes.

I doubt whether the willing helpers would be prepared to do this for a political mayor - remember, the traditional Mayor of Darlington for over a century has been non-political. Long may it continue.

Vote "no" in the referendum. - Frank Robson, (Mayor, 1995-6, Mayor's Escort, 2005-6), Heighington.

ALAN Charlton (HAS, Aug 24) refers to the 34 referenda held across the country about directly-elected mayors.

Those 34 electorates have examined their own particular council situations and voted yes or no - that is democracy, that is their choice.

Many people in Darlington feel we now have a dysfunctional cabinet-led council. The symptoms are many: protests on the High Row, comments in the press, signatories on a petition.

Another indicator is the reduction of the Labour group's majority in the May elections from 15 to five. In the Town Crier (July 2007) council leader John Williams "pledges a fresh start... to hear directly from you (the electorate) about how we can improve services".

This might infer that the cabinet has run out of constructive plans.

I thought the 53 councillors had the responsibility of listening to and understanding the needs of the electorate.

What is needed is a politically independent man or woman with in-depth business skills and experience.

I believe that Darlington desperately needs to say "yes" to an elected mayor for a fresh start. - Brian Parkinson, Darlington.