Sir Humphrey, worried about "genuinely democratic" local government, said, "If the right people [i.e. bureaucrats like him] don't have power, the wrong people will get it, like ... councillors, ORDINARY VOTERS." (my emphasis added).

Bernard said, "But it is their city. Aren't they supposed to [have voting power] in a democracy?"

While I am grateful for medical technology, doctors and dentists, they go too far when they oppose democracy.

I was staffer to an MP in the A.C.T. Legislative Assembly which did a Parliamentary Inquiry into fluoridation circa 1989.

The Committee heard lots of good scientific information against fluoride and little for it. But they got plenty of the usual 'Trust me I'm a doctor/dentist' bluster promoting fluoride.

The Committee, recognising dangers in fluoridation, recommended to reduce fluoride in drinking water in half, and the Parliament voted in favour of that recommendation.

My three children grew up drinking non-fluoridated rainwater. My wife and I have always needed regular dental work, despite drinking fluoridated water in our childhoods.

My dentist (we were at school together 55 years ago) kept an eye on our children, who did not need ANY dental work till 25 to 30 years old.

Do we want democracy in Port Macquarie? Or doctor/dentist bluster?

Lex Stewart

Stuarts Point