I AM sad to read that John Church is not standing for re-election ("Church urges new faces to run for council", Newcastle Herald 31/7). He has performed a difficult task under extremely difficult circumstances. In my opinion he has taken personal slurs and intimidation during his term on council because he asked the hard questions.
He has always kept the ratepayers informed and he will be missed. Remembering the old saying from Don Chipp, he was there "to keep the bastards honest" and I believe the weight of the Labor-heavy council has been a very heavy one. Perhaps Dr Ross Kerridge will take up the challenge.
