It is time to give it the flick, you ratepayers are forking out for it, not the council. Before you say the kids love it, well great, the animals and birds hate it. Take it somewhere that does not affect our pets and birds.

While I’m on the subject, we have grass around six-feet high, which will never get cut, I rang the council about cutting the hedge near my place, because of fire hazard.

They said yes it will be done – yeah when its like the pool you only have one because the people did it, not the council, even a couple of our old councillors, including our mayor, were there as the pool disintegrated into ruin.

So I’m glad we have got rid of all the old dinosaurs, maybe we might get something done in the future, but don’t hold your breath. That is why people think twice before moving here – don’t get me wrong, it’s a great place, just completely out of whack. Don’t believe anything they tell you and form your own opinions

John Toye

ARARAT

As the festive season kicks off and our social calendars begin to fill up, it’s a timely reminder to take care on the roads.  

Many of us will travel long distances in the coming weeks for Christmas get-togethers and we know the roads become increasingly busy during this time of year. It’s critical that everyone plans their journeys, makes good decisions and looks out for each other on the roads to ensure we’re all present for our loved ones this Christmas.

In the excitement of festivities it can be difficult to keep track of how many alcoholic drinks we have consumed and we know consuming as little as one drink impairs your judgement.

If you’re planning on drinking any alcohol our advice is to plan a way home that doesn’t involve driving.

Some of us will travel on unfamiliar roads this summer so it’s important we all slow down, take regular breaks and drive to the weather and road conditions.

Let’s all work together to keep each other safe so we can all enjoy Christmas.  

Joe Calafiore

TAC chief executive

In November the community of Elmhurst celebrated 100 years of Bush Nursing Service. A lot of work was put in by the committee members to ensure that the celebration was successful – it was held over three days.

It was hoped that Ararat Rural City Council would make an effort to have the roads graded and the nature strips mowed, however, only the mowers were sent out.

They did excellent job, which is good because now we can drive the nature strip for a much smoother ride. There was a culvert partially washed away in the 2011 floods which has never been repaired.

There is a block 60 metres from the assembly area at the school which has grass at least one-metre tall and nobody at council can tell me who is responsible for the block. At the recreation ground where travellers often stop over, the road is an absolute disgrace. I wonder what sort of impressions Elmhurst leaves on travellers.

I spoke to a member of the council and asked when was a grader in Elmhurst last? I am still waiting for a reply – if my memory is correct it was two years. If the person in charge of works or councillors don’t know where Elmhurst is, it is 36 kilometres out the Pyrenees Highway.

I have never seen the streets o Elmhurst in such a bad state.

Glenn Cameron

ARARAT