Well done to Alan McCarthy on his ascent from Moulsecoomb boy to chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council (The Argus, April 14).

And well done The Argus for yet again giving us hope in your coverage of places such as Moulsecoomb and the people who live and work there.

We all know the downside but thanks to The Argus, we hear plenty about the upside too.

Your interviewer, Angela Wintle, does a fabulous job every week in telling the fascinating stories behind some of the great and good of our wonderful city and county, painting a brilliant portrait in words.

With regard to her piece on Alan McCarthy, I was delighted to read that he urged people to vote. It's so easy to take our vote for granted but it was hard won by our forefathers and by brave women such as the Suffragettes.

As your report said earlier in the week, May 3 will witness our biggest local elections for four years, with 11 out of the 13 district and unitary councils in Sussex going to the polls.

There's a lot at stake.

In Brighton and Hove, some voters see a final chance to get rid of the King Alfred plans, or to elect councillors who recognise the reality of car travel for many people.

Others want a more effective focus on core services, preferably without above-inflation rises in council tax. And some are just keen for a change.

Personally, I would like to see councillors who understand the importance of the following issues: reviving the West Pier, restoring the seafront bandstand, redeveloping the Brighton Centre and reviewing the parking racket.

  • J Robertson, Stanmer Park Avenue, Brighton