THE personal rebuttal from Christian Vassie about press criticism concerning councillor's parking passes reveals an insight into the mindset and thinking of the modern councillor.
It conjures up a vision of Dickens's Oliver Twist: "Please can I have some more? More. More. More from the public purse and pop a parking pass along with other unmentioned perks into my begging bowl."
His sad letter must be an affront and an insult to those many councillors who freely gave of their efforts and time, with dignity and public spiritedness.
They did not expect any personal gain but simply did it for the honour and privilege to serve the city and its citizens.
It is their contribution that has made York the great city it is today.
Theirs was an attitude of "What can I put in?" not, "What can I take out?"
I am afraid, since we started paying councillors, the respected men and woman of conviction and stature have disappeared.
David Evans,
Mayfield Grove,
York.
Updated: 09:50 Friday, July 08, 2005
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