I write in response to the many letters printed in the Echo in recent months regarding the general demise of Weymouth.

There are very real issues that cannot be denied: inflated car park charges, road works, shop closures, essential care and maintenance of council assets – and so the list goes on.

There are sadly far too many deadwood councillors and their appointed, overpaid officers making too few innovative improvement measures to alleviate the town’s problems.

The council tax payers quite understandably have had enough and many are close to apathy – what a shame.

When I moved to Weymouth some 20 years ago the town was by and large well-presented – there always seemed to be something going on and it was in essence a jolly seaside resort.

How things have changed.

The historic Methodist church in Maiden Street was sold to developers who are allowed to leave its decaying shell boarded up until the economic climate is such that they feel they can justify putting up flats and cafes.

In the meantime it is a huge loss to the community that such a building could not be transformed into a much needed local museum.

It would make a tourist attraction for the town which looks to its tourists as a means of survival.

The harbour wall scandal – will Condor ever return?

The failure to preserve the Marsh Athletic Centre etc.

I have come to the conclusion that Weymouth needs the likes of Derek Julian, Shaun Hennessy and the return of Weymouth’s brightest ever star Harvey Bailey.

All of whom are charismatic, caring characters with voices that express their own opinions and not just the opinions of others – for they are not afraid to rock the boat and will never take the safe option.

They will stand alone if that is what it takes and they always have a seat on a definite side of the fence.

With a few more of the same calibre this town could return to how it once was – out of this doom and gloom despair and forward to a town of which its residents can be proud.

J Squibb Moorside Close Weymouth