Those letters are often written by persons who are known members of a particular political party (e.g previous electoral candidates, presidents of local political branches, etc), though there is seldom a disclosure of this fact, either in the content of the letter or in the signature line. 

In a democracy I respect and support the ability of political party members to communicate their messages.  However, I also believe they should do so as proud members of their respective political party, prepared to stand by the values of their party, and be known as such. 

I would therefore respectfully suggest the Bega District News adopt a policy of only publishing obviously political Letters to the Editor where the author acknowledges their political membership.

Having listened to Cr Nadin on local ABC this morning, I stopped counting the number of times he said, “You know”, often within the space of three or four words. This overuse was frequently interspersed with “uhm”. His faltering presentation interfered with the fluidity of his message.

Perhaps councillors should be required to undergo a public speaking course, seeing that communication  skills  are a major requirement for  public service. And we surely want them to communicate with us.

Our shire council is bulldozing its way to fluoridating town water supplies, untainted and pure since inception.

Council refers to an extended consultation period before councillors vote on the matter. Are they kidding?

Council has employed (at some expense) an outsourced contractor, Hunter H2O, that is clearly an avowed corporate proponent of fluoridation, to manage a “consultative” process. Hunter H2O is not a neutral facilitator. Is council flouting democratic process, disregarding an obvious conflict of interest?

Is the projected establishment cost of a fluoridation plant really $750,000? Added-on costs of consumables, quality control, monitoring, training, OH&S, hazardous chemical handling, public liability insurance, workers compensation and transport?

Public records state there has been significant over-dosing at shire fluoridation plants already. Water fluoridation requires imprecise dosages of Schedule 6 hazardous industrial waste, hexafluorosilicic acid (HFSA), direct from phospate fertiliser and aluminium smelting smokestacks, linked to cumulative long-term human toxicity, including fluorosis, bone, brain, thyroid, kidney, liver, nerve ailments and retarded growth in children. Colgate warns children under two should not use fluoride toothpaste and sells fluoride-free toothpaste in the US – not in Australia.

Water fluoridation has not been scientifically proven to assist dental health according to the latest World Health Organisation data. Over 95 per cent of the world’s population does not fluoridate municipal water supplies. Last year 850,000 US citizens ditched water fluoridation. Globally the trend is against fluoridation, a costly toxic failure.

For those who choose fluoride there are tablets, toothpaste and dentist therapy – easily accessed and far cheaper for ratepayers.

Where we reside at least half of all residents vehemently oppose fluoridation. Several thousand signatures on petitions will be presented to council.

Make your views known to council by signing a petition and sending a signed letter withdrawing your consent to enforced medication pursuant to NSW Health Department policy directive PD2005_406.