If I didn’t know Henry and tried to paint a picture of him by what was printed in the Maitland Mercury on the July 11, 2008, both the Labor Party’s press release and the same day’s editorial in the What We Say section, I’d probably perceive the wrong image of him and wouldn’t be drawn by the idea of having Cr Meskauskas as a Mayor of any town I was living in.

The way the spread was presented along with the comments by the editorial, gave the impression that his ideas, if implemented, would bring Maitland to a stand-still.

Having lived most of his life in this area and being involved in various community groups, in sports, committees as well as serving as councillor for many years, I am sure that most of Maitland residents know and appreciate Henry’s contribution to our city.

I find his ideas appealing and well balanced.

This area is growing very quickly and because of this factor we are losing the quality of life we are accustomed to, at the same time we have been falling behind with the infrastructure needed to keep in tune with the rate of growth we are experiencing, we also need more sports and recreational amenities, some of which were replaced by commercial developments.

As the Mercury’s editorial reads, Cr Meskauskas is a sentimentalist and I am also sure that his heart is in the right place, so is his focus on reality as well as the present and future needs of Maitland people.

Why wouldn’t it be in the best interest of any city to slow-down growth and development if it enables the residents to enjoy the style of life they best relate to?

I believe that in order to achieve the correct balance of the way we proceed in regards to growth, we should adopt the same principal we follow when in control of a vehicle, if we feel that because of the conditions ahead we wont be able to maintain the current speed, we ease-off the accelerator and if necessary even apply the brakes.

Don’t we?