I refer to the new mayor of Budleigh Salterton and his statement reported in the Journal, on May 15. He was reported as saying:

I refer to the new mayor of Budleigh Salterton and his statement reported in the Journal, on May 15. He was reported as saying: "The town will be a force to reckon with, if anyone dares to try and change its character, shout down its voice or impose unwelcome changes."

What a belligerent and short-sighted comment.

I, for one, would relish change in this town.

I would like to see all of the following:

l

The empty commercial properties in the High Street occupied with flourishing businesses.

l The dilapidated buildings in the High Street and surrounding areas, repaired and given a lick of paint.

l The rusting railings along Fore Street repaired and painted.

l The overgrown areas, as commented by Nick Loman last year, maintained.

l I would also like to see areas in the free car park marked out for coaches only, to encourage tourism to the town.

l I would like to see the council fully support the regeneration of the Longboat Cafe.

Progress is a good thing and stagnation is not. Modern architecture can be iconic and should be embraced.

We are the only town from Exmouth to Lyme Regis where visitors and locals alike, cannot sit on the seafront and enjoy a meal and alcoholic drink while taking in the views.

We live in a beautiful part of the country and some change should be encouraged.

I appreciate we are custodians of the Jurassic Coast, but remember what happened to the other dinosaurs.

K Wood,

Marine Parade,

Budleigh Salterton.