This could inadvertently lull readers into believing all was well with Lake Albert. Unfortunately, while there has been very welcome relief from the two-and-a-half months of above average rainfall, the water is still not at capacity.

This does not augur well for average rainfall years and highlights the problem of water inflows, as has been too often experienced in past years, cancelling “on-water” activities and spoiling the lake’s aesthetic and environmental amenity.

A drier spring and hot summer evaporation could soon see a reversal of the good conditions. Our group is working co-operatively with council to explore all opportunities to secure more regular water flows, especially in average and below average years.

In this regard, it is encouraging to know that council is reviewing previous management decisions and working to produce a new Lake Albert Management Plan.

We appreciate the mayor’s personal input and his availability for discourse with our group, and that of local member Daryl Maguire.

I WRITE to support the right of Mayor Rod Kendall to express his personal opinion on any issue that he chooses to.

Cr Paul Funnell shows a double standard in criticising him, given that he seems to frequently express his personal opinion on many things.

Sadly, many of his public utterances seem to be directed to attacks on council operations and unreasonable criticism of professional staff of the council. These public attacks are not new but do undermine staff morale.

When all is said and done, the staff are responsible for not only “running” the city but for implementing the policies devised by the members of the council. It behoves councillors to become familiar with their policies. If Cr Funnell disagrees with policies, it is up to him to attempt to get support for change instead of constantly “going public” and attacking staff and the mayor.

WHEN people think the issue of same-sex marriage is just a "shrug of the shoulder, who cares, let’s get on with it" issue we are in deep trouble. Don't be hoodwinked. The homosexual community already has their rights enshrined in legislation equal to the rest of society, with the exception of marriage. 

Let’s stop tip-toeing on egg shells and get real on this agenda. Marriage is not the issue, it’s just an emotive smokescreen.

Try googling: “The Overhauling of Straight America" by Marshall Kirk and Erastes Pill, a nine-page gay manifesto written in 1987. If same-sex marriage is approved in Australia, it is pretty much "mission accomplished" here. Next, get on YouTube, type in "California Elementary School Indoctrinates Youngsters in Gay Pride Assembly". Coming to a primary school near you soon if same-sex marriage gets up. 

The future of my grandkids is worth fighting for. For any depressed or suicidal gays, get on YouTube, type in "Testimonies of ex-gays". They are some of the happiest people I have ever seen.

Let’s not sanitise and sugar-coat the agenda, let’s call it for what it is. The Pandora's box that comes with it is a lot more sinister than you realise. The freedom to operate businesses according to one’s ethics and to express beliefs and opinions will be crushed. The “Pink Mafia” are shrieking loudly; wise up guys, time to stop being a spineless bunch of cowards.