ELECTED MAYOR

WHY does Alan Charlton (HAS, Aug 31) refer to far off boroughs, when the mayors of neighbouring Hartlepool and Middlesbrough appear to be doing a good job and are certainly popular enough to be elected for a second term of office.

What can be more democratic than permitting all the electors of Darlington to select their own mayor, who will take over much of the decision-making already held by the leader. The current leader is only elected by a relatively small number of councillors from his own political party.

An elected mayor can continue to do the ceremonial mayor duties, if he chooses, but he may conclude his workload is so great, bringing value for money and good service to the people of Darlington borough, that he does not have the time.

In that case, the existing system of selecting the longest-serving councillor to carry out ceremonial duties could continue and all that need change is the title.

There has to be a balance between common sense decisions to the benefit of all without political dogma and the ceremonial aspect.

I have great regard for the service given by Councillors Frank and Stella Robson (HAS, Sept 1) but I understand the instinct for self-preservation.

After reading Frank Robson's letter (HAS, Sept 1), I looked back through old Freedom of Information requests and found 50,000 reasons why Mr Robson really would like to keep the present system. Could they possibly be the £50,332.96 in total that he and his wife claimed from tax payers of Darlington the year his wife was mayor? Or the £31,546.92 they claimed in 2006-07 (Echo, April 29).

It seems very clear to me that those in power at present within DBC want things to stay just the way they are.

Vote "yes" in the referendum and end the "jobs for the boys" system. - Ian White, Hurworth.

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

I WAS very annoyed to see the latest proposals to close more hospital wards at Darlington Memorial Hospital (Echo, Aug 23).

We are told the capacity is no longer needed. Why are there long waiting lists for treatment? Why has there been a massive building programme and huge expansion taking place at the James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough?

There is a massive reorganisation of the health service in the Tees Valley taking place. But the Government doesn't want the people to know. We have enjoyed health services on our doorstep in our town for 60 years. The Government is afraid we might object if it tells us it wants us to travel to James Cook Hospital instead of Darlington Memorial.

The Government puts up the price of petrol. The Government taxes our cars. It charges high parking fees when we get to James Cook Hospital. Where do you park when you get there? The sick, elderly and frail have to walk across enormous car parks before they can even get in the place. People who transport them there have to abandon their passengers at the hospital doors and go to move their cars.

Soon James Cook will be the only hospital left in the whole Tees Valley. It is time to make a stand. Health Service managers are gradually starving the Memorial Hospital of much-needed funds and resources. Services are being removed to James Cook Hospital one by one. Wake up, Darlington. You will have no hospital at all unless you make a stand now.

Do you really want to go to Middlesbrough for Accident and Emergency services? - Nigel Boddy, Darlington.