l did agree with most of what Jason Hayward had to say.

However, I do not believe that it is the State or Federal Government that is going to be able to find a solution to this problem.

I believe that unless local councils can become more efficient and imaginative, nothing will change.

Crookwell has much to offer, but it needs people in the council who are capable of recognising and promoting its possibilities.

Forward-thinking people, rather than those who think supplying residents with green waste bins is a major achievement.

Small towns that survive and thrive these days are the ones that encourage diversity and tourism.

Tourists need more that a cup of coffee and a meal to bring them to a town.

Crookwell has alpaca farms, lavender farms, eco farm, sheep farms, sculpture gardens, historic towns – et cetera.

So, why aren't tourist buses coming here in droves, staying overnight in our many accommodation facilities, then having their coffee and meal next morning before going off telling everyone they know about Crookwell?

l know this to be true because I came to Crookwell with 12 friends and stayed three night and visited most of these places.

After nearly two years, my friends still say how much they loved Crookwell.

Country life is great for bringing up children, so why are we not promoting all our facilities to fill our schools and sports grounds?

Could the council not offer some or many incentives to young families to come and reside in Crookwell?

Stop thinking that the State or Federal Government will fix the problems. It won't happen.

So wake up, Crookwell, and look for and find some inventive people, hopefully young, who are forward thinking and imaginative to represent you on our council (local government).

People who wish to grow the town by supporting new and small businesses; promoting tourism and encouraging new young families to come and live here, and not be content to watch Crookwell stagnate.

Crookwell’s zero growth index in a letter to the editor (‘Costs Rise, Growth Stalls’) can be better viewed from the philosopher’s corner

Socialism: You have two cows; and give one to your neighbour.

Communism: You have two cows; the government takes both and gives you the milk.

Fascism: You have two cows; the government take both and sells you the milk.

Nazism: You have two cows; the government takes both and shoots you.

Bureaucratism: You have two cows; the government takes both shoots one, milks the other and throws the milk away.

Capitalism: You have two cows; you sell one and buy a bull.

The power given to the council is given and well-afforded by the electorate and in doing so the electorate should not be disempowered or disadvantaged.

Zero growth to a large degree can be attributed to bureaucratic bungling within councils.

As a local constituent, having raised my family and also worked successfully toward attracting business, growth and an appreciation of the area, I have been confounded by the mismanagement of Upper Lachlan Shire Council.

The culture ... is so ingrained in local government that it allows their mismanagement to go unchecked and, as in my case, wreak havoc for 13 years.

My costs, along with the thousands of hours wasted on both sides, is appalling.

These well-paid public servants … are protected within a culture of local government looking after local government, while our rights under law are ignored.

It is a failure of self-governance and therefore democracy has failed.

‘To whom much is given, much is expected’ and with the up-and-coming elections these are big issues.

Who honestly is prepared to protect the rights of the electorate from the mismanagement crippling our small towns and small businesses?

Only where there is a determination toward fairness and honesty can capitalism and democracy work and drive us forward and not until accountability is assured will this ever be achievable.