It is so frustrating when council consults the community and then ignores their input.

Cr Leslight says that ratepayers must be listened to, but “councillors feel that they know what is best and they just aren’t listening”.

In light of these statements, Cr Leslight should think back to November 25 2014, when he, together with councillors Burnside, Schwarz, Innes and Pollock ignored the 81 per cent of ratepayer submissions opposing the HuntFest amendments to include the sale of guns etc.

Instead, these councillors chose to consider supportive submissions from non-ratepayers that resulted from an online campaign by hunters. But the online petition containing 40,000 signatures opposing the amendments was ignored.

Cr Leslight is absolutely correct when he says, “The community is finding there is no point in arguing or raising issues with our council because they aren’t listened to.”

I’m sure there’s an old saying applicable to Cr Leslight’s statements - something about “practise” and “preach” I think!

Patricia Gardiner

Deua River Valley