I believe if this impost is put onto every politician in every electorate Australia wide, this would be an extravagant waste of taxpayers' time and money in endeavouring to survey and get a true feeling within their electorate.

I was always under the impression local councils’ main purpose was to be for the benefit of ratepayers to receive value for their hard earned dollar, to assist all community organisations that conduct various events, all businesses both large and small, advise all building contractors in regard to safety provisions etc. 

Council time should not be to discuss family and selfish personal interests that have no real value for shire residents.

If persons have these beliefs, let this subject go to a referendum, Australia wide, this gives everyone a fair say.

THE Melbourne to Albury rail line is once again in the news, and might I add from as far away as WA and Queensland.

Two large freight containers have managed to depart the train without the need for a platform. Perhaps they didn't have a ticket and decided to do a runner  before they were caught out.

This is a disgrace in the way this major rail line linking this nation's two major capital cities is being handled. 

After many hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent, what can we expect next. Perhaps a passenger carriage derailing, costing lives may be next.

Rail executives and politicians do nothing.

I can remember as a young tacker there was a saying "trust your railways, always". 

How things have changed.

WILL Albury City Council follow Wagga Council's lead, in putting forward a discussion about banning smoking in the CBD?

About time this was done for Dean Street, Lavington Square and other passive smoking polluted areas, of which there are plenty.

Try getting through the smoke, into Bingo in Prune Street on a Wednesday night.

ALL drivers are "P" plate drivers – providing we do the right thing.

A driver who has passed a driving test should be allowed to drive as per the same rules as all other drivers.

A driving test should only be recommended if the instructor is satisfied with the driver's ability and confidence.

P plates are difficult enough to see in daylight hours and worse still at night, mainly due to their positioning.

We should encourage our new drivers to be better drivers.

The first five years of driving, allow three warnings, depending on the circumstances of the infringement.

Police should be given the power to determine whether it be a warning or not, then there be penalties or fines if so.

The fourth time during their five years no warning should not apply.

Bonus - give drivers without two warnings a sixth year free issue of a driver’s licence.

The key to good driving is tolerance and patience in getting from A to B in one piece.

Intolerance, impatience, drugs, alcohol, mobile phones and fatigue cause most accidents.