HAVING read the letter in the Penarth Times (April 16) from Bernard Cody in regard to the BID ballot I am amazed at the Town Councils behaviour both before and after the result as described in his letter. To threaten legal action to recover costs against members of the Penarth business community is outrageous and flies in the face of democracy.
Clearly the Town Council did not like losing especially as they gave their full backing for a yes vote and no doubt used council taxpayers’ money to promote it.
The Town Council now needs to make a public reply to the questions raised by Mr Cody in his letter and it seems an apology would not go amiss in regard to the council’s actions during this BID process.
It will be a sad day when individuals cannot have free speech to put over their point of view to gain the support of voters, especially the undecided, without the threat of legal action.
Well done Mr Cody and Mr Osborne for standing up for what you thought was right and the ballot has shown that the majority of Penarth business people supported your views.
That is democracy and the Town Council should accept the decision in good faith and refrain from intimidating anyone who opposes their viewpoint.
I am not sure though whether this issue will go away and your readers will recall that when the people of Wales first rejected the proposal for the establishment of a Welsh Assembly the politicians just had another ballot and no doubt would have carried on canvassing until they achieved a yes vote.
Jon Dewis
Lavernock Road
Penarth
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