I read an article recently that trust in Australian politicians has reached an all time low and is just above that of Russia.
Australian politicians are being exposed in hypocrisy, nepotism, rorts and scamming travel allowances while their words seem just pretence to fool the public into voting for them.
I had the wonderful experience of seeing an honest, caring and determined politician at work last week.
At the Tweed Shire Council meeting, the issue of accepting the funding for the rail trail on our railway line came up and the Greens mayor, Katie Milne, shone out in her determination to speak up for the needs of ordinary people and our children’s future.
Other councillors seemed unresponsive to information from the rail-trail group and train supporters about having the option of the bike trail running next to the track.
With each argument, mayor Milne offered reasoned and knowledgeable responses to the point where finally the sensible option of researching the costs of putting the trail next to the track was accepted.
I want to thank Crs Milne, Chris Cherry and Ron Cooper for voting for the many instead of the few.
Why throw away future possibilities of trains running to the Gold Coast, Byron and Lismore to join the main line?
We need politicians like Katie, who can stand and fight for us with reason and evidence. We need to support those who care.
Beth Shelley, Booerie Creek
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
