This can only support the notion that Ballarat has a top-down approach to government and our council is nothing but a tool for the state government, political parties, and political aspirations.

I am saddened to feel that Ballarat people are being disenfranchised from their council, decision-making and consequently a sense of community and believe from experience that community consultations and representation is a farce.

Once, council was that level of government with a bottom-up approach, where councilors represented their community.

This was a community that was interested and involved.

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I fear that Ballarat has lost this sense of representation and involvement and that proper decision-making has been eroded by the ongoing influences of poor management and state domination.

As Ms Dore sweeps clean our council, let us do the same with our councillors. Let us install a council with no political overtures or adherence to state government domination.

One that gives priority to representing the views, involvement and hopes of the Ballarat community and its future.

What a thought that there were many new council candidates this election.

Unfortunately, my hope is that there are albeit some people in our community who have skills, vision, foresight and with no political agendas who will take up the challenge and stand for election of a new council.

I further urge people in the interests of our community independence not to vote for candidates with political endorsements.

Chris Clark, Bakery Hill.

Geoff Howard, nominee for the next council elections, criticises current councillors for having spats and apparent infighting. He wants a cohesive council.

How dare councillors debate and argue over decisions that affect the whole community, isn't that why we elect them?

Brendan Wilson, Ballarat North.

I think that for too long, people with political party affiliations have been involved in council.

Peter Chambers, Alfredton.

I read with interest that mayor Ben Taylor didn't agree with Samantha McIntosh in regards to the well over-budget renovation to the old cottage that ratepayers footed the bill.

Well done mayor Taylor for having some consideration for ratepayers' dollars in this uncertain time. He is one councillor that has done a pretty fair job since his role as mayor.

Geoff Rundell, Ballarat.

Recently our councillors made a united decision to appoint Janet Dore as interim CEO of Ballarat City Council, which was widely applauded by the community.

More recent reports suggest that there is a concerted effort by some councillors of all political persuasions to attack former mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh and besmirch her reputation, a reputation largely gained over time with the support of all councillors. 'United we stand divided we fall'.

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Such shameful actions bring no credit to anyone and bring into question all of the sound decisions made during the past three-and-a-half years. Such activity damages the reputation of all of those involved and is to be condemned.

Councillors should be above what is clearly just muck-raking for personal gain.

With a council election looming, serious divisions are appearing between councillors as they jockey for re-election at the general election to be held later this year. Party politics is rearing its ugly head again.

Council is now, I'm reliably informed, leaking like a sieve with much misinformation and questionable statements being bandied about, many of them particularly critical of Cr McIntosh.

The bullying and jealousy demonstrated by some councillors is unacceptable.

This appalling behaviour is being practised by those who appear to accept the salary for doing little work in the community except to self-promote for some future career aspirations.

One does not have to look hard to see the hypocrisy of some of our civic representatives.

I have had the privilege of working with Cr McIntosh as a former council officer and now as an advocate for our city.

More than can be said of many of our current crop of councillors, she possesses great business acumen, determination, capacity and skill to get the very best outcomes for our city and our people.

Cr McIntosh is a passionate advocate for our city.

I applaud anyone who actively engages in politics and is a member of a political party.

We, as a community, must demand that every councillor must guarantee they will place the community first above an allegiance to their particular party.

Whether the Labor- or Green-endorsed candidates realise it or not, by accepting support and funding for their campaigns, they have telegraphed an obligation to their political party.

Nobody in life gets anything for nothing - believe me, I know.

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Thanks to Eureka, we have a right to a say in who governs our city.

There is no role for party politics in local government. Think very carefully about who you vote for.

Ron Egeberg, Soldiers Hill

The population of the City of Ballarat is growing rapidly. Therefore it is more important than ever before that the city retains public land for recreational and community use.

I'm appalled that the City of Ballarat plans to rezone and sell land in Wendouree for residential purposes.

Enough is enough!

Land north of the railway station has been sold to a private developer, the public has been deprived of land in and around the Civic Hall and a park adjacent to Sovereign Hill was sold for residential development.

Public land should be kept for public use.

On another matter, please repair and open the railway gates in Lydiard Street.

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These gates are among the last remaining railway gates of their type in Australia and must be made operational as soon as possible.

Modern technology and 19th century engineering can be integrated to ensure the safe entry by trains to Ballarat's magnificent railway station.

Don't blame the gates!

Maureen Myers, Lake Wendouree

I think it was a great idea to recreate the gothic style fernery but again a massive cost blowout using ratepayers' money and also friends of the garden funds where volunteers do such good work.

We will have a great building dedicated to someone's dreams, but no ferns. It would seem the dreams of councilors is greater than what the people of Ballarat can afford.

What next - gold statues of our councilors adorning Ballarat entrances?

Nick Martinich, Ballarat.

How much longer do ratepayers have to endure projects going over budget? Council and its officers do not seem to gel in their decisions.

As a ratepayer I often wonder what fantasy land they come from. Overpaid, under achieve.

Ian Wasley, Sebastopol.

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