The Mayor is entitled to feel a little hurt

4:14pm Monday 31st March 2008

SOME of the comments provoked by the revelation that Bolton's mayoral car was parked on double yellow lines for more than an hour were way over the top.

Anonymous contributors on this paper's popular website - later reproduced in The Bolton News - showed a crass lack of appreciation when they attacked the office of Mayor.

The comments included "The Mayor is not elected and is just another one of an army of spongers who spend our taxes", "Why do we even need a mayor?" and "We cannot afford a mayor! What does it take for these people to understand they do not provide a public service, they only serve themselves".

No doubt some readers will agree with this view.

Having watched various Bolton mayors in action over the years, I happen to believe it is offensive nonsense.

This year's Mayor, Cllr Barbara Ronson, spent time in the Victoria Square tent erected by Bolton churches to celebrate Easter. She chatted with genuine interest to various people as she made her way through the throng.

I thought she was terrific - a worthy successor to all the other first citizens who have given up their time to meet and greet representatives of the astonishing wide range of organisations that help create the heartbeat of the town.

These include recent mayors such as Walter Hall, Frank White and John Walsh and - going further back - John Hanscomb.

People like these have a genuine love of the town and its citizens, which is why they are entitled to feel a little hurt when - or if - they read comments such as those mentioned above.

Modern grassroots commentators - hunched over their computer keyboards - are entitled to make their views known.

So am I. On this topic, I am happy to defend the status quo.

Bolton needs its Mayor.