MY daughter was going to collect her children from school in October last year and took her dog with her.
She was late and unfortunately the dog decided it needed to relieve itself. My daughter had used all her scoop bags on the way and, as she couldn't see anything on the grass (which by the way was used to keep horses tethered), she was about to go on her way.
She was abruptly stopped by a man, not in any kind of uniform, who promptly cautioned her and gave her an instant fine of £50. Fair comment, she agreed she hadn't cleaned it but had to be on her way as she was late.
To cut a long story short, she forgot about the fine due to more pressing family circumstances as her daughter was in and out of hospital at the time and found herself being taken to court for non- payment of the fine.
She hadn't had any reminders, even though the court said she had and was due to appear at court on April 10. As she is a single mum who works, she filled in the forms and pleaded guilty.
We heard no more till April 26, when she received, in the same post delivery, two letters from the court. The first, dated April 10, said she had failed to pay and would be charged additional costs. The second, dated April 21, said she had failed to provide information and would have to pay over £300 with costs within seven days – which was two days after she received it!
Apparently there is now a warrant out for her arrest. What is going on with these people? Do they not read the paperwork they receive? I personally handed the forms into the clerk at the Magistrates office before the hearing, so I know they were there.
I also know my daughter is not an irresponsible person who would flout the law. Why do these people chase law-abiding, hard-working decent folk instead of the real criminals among us? Could someone answer that for me.
Denise

We're delighted
ON behalf of all Conservative candidates in Sunderland's recent council elections, I would like to thank everyone in the city who voted for us.
We are, of course, delighted to have gained five seats from Labour – our best results for many years.
Having established ourselves as the only realistic alternative to Labour in the city, Conservatives will continue to provide a vigorous, constructive opposition to the city's Labour administration.
Conservative councillors will continue to serve to the best of their ability the residents they represent.
Once again more electors voted Conservative in the wards forming the new Central Parliamentary Constituency than voted for any other political party.
We look forward to the city electing a Conservative MP at the next General Election.
Thank you to all those who voted Conservative on May 1.
Peter Wood (Councillor),
Chairman,
City of Sunderland Conservative Party

Endless promises
CONGRATULATIONS to the Conservative Party on their recent local election victories.
Hopefully the people of Sunderland are finally waking up to the fact that Labour control of Sunderland Council has not resulted in the sort of improvements that the people of Sunderland deserve.
How much longer are the long-suffering people of the city going to fall for the endless promises of the Labour Party that never seem to result in any meaningful improvement.
Roll on the next General Election.
Long Suffering Mackem

Freedom to travel
I WOULD like to thank all those people who voted for the Independent candidate in the Castle Ward, council elections on May 1, 2008 … and in support of a realistic expectation of a construction of a new River Wear road bridge via the Claxheugh (Green) route.
They may rest assured that the Minister for Roads, Ms Ruth Kelly, will be informed of the campaign for more "freedom to travel options" to improve upon Sunderland's 1904 vintage road system.
Ron McQuillan,
Cranberry Road,
Hylton Castle,
Sunderland

Secretive group
HOW on earth can the Echo leader writer (May 5) claim that former council leader Bob Symonds will be "a tough act to follow"?
Coun Symonds headed a secretive, self-serving Labour group which paid little heed to the wishes of the citizens of Sunderland and is now facing the consequences.
His successor, Coun Paul Watson, hardly appears to be the brightest star in the galaxy, but he has managed to elbow his way to the top of the political ladder and it remains to be seen if he is any more successful – and beneficial to the city – than his immediate predecessors.
Perhaps Coun Watson should tap into the wisdom of Echo letter writers Brady and Quinn as he tries to fend off a Tory takeover.
Vedra

We'll target litterbugs in sweeping changes
MAY I thank everyone who voted from me in the local elections. It is a privilege to be elected as your Labour councillor for Washington Central.
I would also like to thank everyone who completed the questionnaire and returned them. Feedback showed that residents' main concerns are crime and antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping and road improvements.
The city's council has already agreed a £12.7million strategic plan to deliver neighbourhood improvements. They will target litter, fly-tipping, community safety, sports facilities and business/work opportunities in local areas across the city – the things people have told us they want to see more of.
The £12.7million fund will also enable the city council to lever in an additional £18.7million from national and regional bodies to create a total spending pot of £31.4million on a variety of community projects.
One exciting development is a rapid response unit of 24 mobile CCTV cameras with four for each of the city's areas. These cameras can be deployed to where they are needed in a matter of minutes.
In Washington a £2million hi-tech business centre is planned and £500,000 is ready to be spent on road safety improvements agreed by the Labour-controlled council and not the Tories as the election materials declared.
Plans are in place to increase the number of environmental enforcement officers from four to 12. They will run education programmes and prosecute more of the city's litter bugs.
Coun Dianne Snowdon,
Roche Court,
Washington

Not listening
FOLLOWING Labour's hammering in the local elections, Gordon Brown has promised to listen and learn. Well, in addition to soaring food and fuel costs, the so-called credit crunch, sky-high levels of taxation, political correctness, crime and disorder in our towns and cities, ineffective policing, disrespect for law and order he might like to reflect upon three stories reported in the press recently which show everything that is wrong with our country today and which contribute to the huge unpopularity of the Government.
A traffic warden issues a £35 parking ticket to an 82-year-old sufferer of Parkinson's disease, who was asleep in her car, because her disabled parking ticket was displayed upside down.
Secondly, the secretary for the Catholic Archbishop of London finds that she is 20 pence short on her Oyster pre-pay card on London Transport. She offers to pay the extra money but no, the jobsworth inspector says she will be prosecuted.
Council inspectors in Derbyshire threaten a woman with legal action because she has not mowed her lawn for two weeks.
Incidents like these are sickening people about Britain today. If my children decide to leave these shores when they finish their education I would fully understand.
Tony Potts
Harthope Close,
Washington

Wonderful people
I DEDICATE the following to all those wonderful helpers, supporters and voters in the Houghton ward who helped to return me as the new Independent Councillor.
WHEN the tip shut, Rick Rat left town
His head was up, but his heart was down.
It was the most delicious tip
He couldn't get enough of it.
Those other RATS were all to blame.
Rick thought it was a crying shame.

It goes to show what could be done
When folk fight back who love their town.
We've struck a blow with all your work
And votes and wishes, no-one shirked.
We won the ward, worked hour on hour.
Let's shut the tip with people power!
Love, best wishes and thank you.
Sheila Ellis (Secretary, Houghton Residents Against Toxic Site and Councillor),
Church Street,
Houghton

Vote stays solid
MAY I thank all those who voted for me at this years local election in Fulwell. The Labour Party vote remained solid here in Fulwell and you can rest-assured that we will continue to work towards bringing you a Labour Councillor.
I would also like thank my family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours who supported and encouraged me during my election campaign and the staff of the five polling stations here in Fulwell who, as always, did a sterling job.
Many thanks to you all.
Bob Price, The Labour Candidate for Fulwell 2008,
Rydal Mount,
Sunderland

Taxing question
LITTER everywhere, an appalling seafront, lack of school places, to name but a few. They can't even grit the roads for goodness sake! Why, oh why, have the people of Sunderland voted Labour in the local elections? Just because your dad/grandad voted Labour in the past doesn't mean you have to.
Does voting Labour mean you support the war in Iraq, the soaring cost of fuel, high interest rates and tax, tax and more tax?
I really can't understand it. The shipyards and the pits don't exist anymore.
Come on people of Sunderland, it's really time to move on.
Alan Wharton,
Silksworth,
Sunderland

A NOTE of thanks to the 509 people in Ryhope ward who voted for me in the local elections. I will continue to campaign for a better deal for Ryhope ward in the months ahead, leading up to the next local and general elections.
Patrick Lavelle,
Independent candidate for Sunderland Central

I THANK all the people of Hendon Ward who voted for me at the recent local elections. I am truly proud to represent an area in which I have lived all my life. I look forward to working with the whole community over the next four years.
Councillor Michael Mordey,
Hendon Ward

I THANK the residents of St Anne's ward for their support during the local elections. Although unable to win the ward the support shown to me in my first time of running was fantastic. Thank you for your trust and confidence.
Shaun Cudworth
Local Conservatives

MY sincere thanks to all who voted for me in St Chad's Ward. Their support was much appreciated. I enjoyed meeting literally hundreds of people when I called at their homes and was really struck by the very friendly reception I received from everyone, regardless of political persuasion.
Like my ward colleagues Robert Oliver and Michael Dixon, I am fully committed to working hard for residents and we look forward to doing our best in the years ahead.
Councillor Alan Wright,
Conservative