I WRITE in response to Tory Councillor Gavin Smithers' letter (Advertiser, May 2) concerning the campaign leaflet from Independent county council candidate Scott Preston.

As the then Independent candidate contesting the Lodge Park seat, I can confirm an election did indeed take place in 1998. I can also confirm I came very close to gaining the seat from Labour.

I am sure residents felt that election was far from meaningless.

Whoever gets voted in as county councillor for Lodge Park, I do hope they address the core issues here and we start to get the improvements that Lodge Park and Lakeside desperately need.

Davey James

Arthur Street

Lakeside