The political argument is not our scene, however, we just want to state that you, Madam Editor, have been the voice and the link in the Merimbula community for many years.

That is one of the reasons why the Merimbula region has grown into such a strong self-help community where everybody contributes with so much time and money to see worthwhile community assets come into existence.

Without that strong community support, the area would not have the three sporting complexes at Berrambool, Pambula and Pambula Beach, it would not have the walking tracks, foreshore parks, the new Pambula Surf Lifesaving Club, the Pambula skateboard complex and a host of other community assets that we all enjoy today.

This is only the tip of the iceberg but for the past 20 years the paper, under your editorship, has played an important role in all of that, it has been the link to make things happen.

You have created an important forum for debate and communication within the community and you have always allowed public criticism of yourself to be published in the paper.

As the co-ordinator of the fundraising to give the Bega Valley Shire an urgently needed indoor heated swimming centre, thanks for your special contribution to the project.

We do not think you deserve the criticism that has been meted out to you by the Mayor, keep up the good work, our community is all the stronger for it.