Guy Grainger, before he handed over the Mayoral duties, commented that the Town Council was not well regarded in Market Rasen and that there was apathy when no-one turned up to represent the public in debate.
"This is a sad reflection of the lack of interest in the town and its council. I have received a lot of negative comments and it is apparent that they have a misconception over what role the Town Council has or they simply have a feeling that it is lacking integrity or competence," he said.
This is absolutely what the vast majority of the locals I speak to do believe; for once we hear some sense coming out of the chamber.

Since the 'new boys' (I dare not call them 'outsiders') retired here to play at councillors, town and district, we have seen outrageous year on year hikes in the Town Council's precept on our council tax bills.
For this year the town precept is £95,432 a whopping increase of 37%. There was much ado about the Lincolnshire Police increase and there should also be about this too.
Believe me councillors, it is far from unnoticed by the townsfolk.This is the largest increase of all the councils in West Lindsey, bearing in mind that Lincs County Council came in at 3.5% and West Lindsey at a mere 2.9%.

The councillors I have spoken to put most of this increase down to Festival Hall refurbishment.
We now have a new Mayor in Burt Keimach, adding to the recent string on the Chain Gang, none of whom most of us would know if we were to fall over them.
Coun Keimach lists one of his projects as further improvements to the Festival Hall, so how big a percentage increase next year?
His mission is 'a more open and transparent' council, so at least we can expect to be better informed.
They did own up to pouring stale beer down the drain last year because it was going off. Our council tax was really being poured down the drain!

So let's get real, let's have the Festival Hall managed on a more business like basis, instead of a burden on the taxpayers. And as it appears that we are all but bust, let's think before we splash out on play areas, the BMX track and CCCTV efficiency, and stop spending money we haven't got.
We the townsfolk will not then be left to pick up the tab with another unacceptable precept rise on next year's council tax bill. The editor in a recent edition posed the question 'Do we need a Mayor at all?'

The answer is probably 'No'. He also asked "What's your view on having an American as head of the Town Council?". Well he did get a letter of support from a relative in Australia, but since no-one in Rasen responded, as a courtesy, I too will refrain.

P Marshall
Willingham Road,
Market Rasen