Unite and Rebel
The front page of the Burgess Hill edition of the Middy is talk from pensioners of withholding part of their council tax in the face of another inflation-busting increase. Dennis Broom (hero of this parish) is one of the ringleaders. Dennis is unhappy about some of the ludicrous costs the council has incurred. In the article the council tries to explain itself.

You have to laugh at the council's justification for their spending of £450,000 in consultants' fees. They claim the bulk of the fees relate to The East Grinstead Bypass, the Bolnore Village development and Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath's proposed revamp.

So, according to them, we should sympathise with the council about the expense incurred through matters relating to an unpopular local housing estate and the much-hated Better Mid Sussex project.

Which brings us nicely onto Burgess Hill About Town Magazine. Inside this glossy publication there is an insert for "Burgess Hill Into The Future - Your Town And You". Viv Nicholas, ex-headmaster of Oakmeeds, is chairman of the Burgess Hill into the Future Review & Development Group, and I wouldn't be surprised if he wrote the insert, as we are spoken to as if disobedient children: "It must be stated that to stand still and not change is not an option, so just saying 'no' or 'I do not like this' is also not an option. We want to know, if the current plans are not to your liking what YOU would do instead."

Not that the councillors seem particularly concerned. Already, we have had one public meeting at the United Reformed Church in Haywards Heath. Urban Initiatives were there, Thornfield Properties were there, but nobody from MSDC. It's a pity no-one took any pictures in the car-park, as I would like to have seen what cars these "experts" now drive, having bagged themselves such a lucrative venture.

Sidney West
In spite of 25 letters of objection and 50 signatures on a petition, the proposed health centre looks like going ahead. The Middy states that the council will be "reinvesting" the money paid for the lease. So, that just goes to prove that it was all to do with money. If the council can get the money for something, then the temptation to sell it is just too great.

Traffic
Related, is the news that Leylands Road is to have changes to slow the flow of traffic. Roundabouts are to be built at the top of Leylands Park and Petworth Drive. Also, there will be double yellow lines outside the church at the London Road end. This is obviously supposed to negate the complaints that the medical centre will make crossing the road impossible, although the council haven't explained how they expect to reduce the number of cars using the road.

In reply to a letter I wrote to the Middy, attacking Tim Wickham of the Bedelands Residents Association, a woman answered me claiming he had done much for the community, including getting a crossing in Leylands Road for those living on the disabled housing estate, Oakenfield. Now, I learn that the council is still at the "considering" stage for this proposal. So, apart from wrecking the local football club, it looks like you've done bog all, Timmy!

Pix
The Mid Sussex Times poses the question: "Are YOU shocked?" Owner of Pix in the Broadway, Haywards Heath - Micaela Valentine, has written to the paper after a browser objected to a print she sold in her shop. In the article, the paper uses the incident to create a thought-provoking debate on censorship and prejudice. Which is all rather useful, since that gives them an excuse to print a picture of two hot, scantily-clad lesbians, kissing. For educational purposes, you understand? Whoever wrote the piece, I imagine, could lead to a resurgence in Middy sales with more articles of this nature.

Top Quality Burgess Hill Public Conveniences
Yes, really. Why has not the webmaster given credit to the first-rate quality of one of our local public conveniences? A friend of mine had cause to use the facilities and described them as "pristine". The location? Burgess Hill Town Council, above the Help Point. So, if caught short in the town, don't forget. Go in and insist they are made available to you. After all, you paid for them.