AM I the only councillor, albeit, town borough or county, who the residents of Okehampton voice their deep unhappiness and anger at what is happening to our town?
It is difficult to understand why there is a plan to spend some £22,000 of what I understand to be charity money, on a 'gateway garden' on East Street when it will only be seen by those leaving Okehampton.
A neat and tidy 'green area' would look great, but what is proposed will end up filled with fish and chip wrappers, empty bottles and beer cans. All the comments I have heard is 'who would want to sit and chat there, breathing in traffic fumes?'
The popular belief is that we are killing the town by not looking to the future.
Many people, including myself, are deeply concerned that a group of people are gathering the 'modern history of Okehampton'. Whilst this may be a good idea, should they not be working together with our museum? After all that is where all the history of Okehampton should go - both ancient and modern.
If we who profess to care about Okehampton are not prepared to work together for the good of this, once popular happy town, then it is us who will be responsible for its death.
Every week more shops are closing down or in the market — so shouldn't we be working together to give people a reason to come here.
I have no doubt I will not be the most popular person for daring to write this letter, but I was not elected to win brownie points in the popularity stakes, but to speak for the residents of Okehampton who elected me.
Edna Hicks
West Devon Borough Councillor
Okehampton East