I was a little amused by the three letters griping about the mayor's vehicle choice and wonder how many of the three [letter authors] have been business owners or have had company cars and understand fringe benefit tax (FBT).

I would first point out that I don't know the mayor from Adam. Secondly I would point out that most mayors would be in a Mercedes or BMW limousine like most politicians (as that is ultimately what they are). Thirdly, if the mayor is paying FBT (and I strongly expect he is) then the car is also his personal vehicle on evenings and weekends. He may like camping, boating, jet-skiing. It is Port Stephens after all. He may be an avid gardener and produces more clippings than bins can address. He may have a log fire and like collecting his own wood. He might be about to land scape. It's his business really.

As long as they didn't spend outside their vehicle spend allowance, what business is it of yours?

I was very concerned with the dedication, determination and devotion to duty of two council rangers in a council vehicle on Sunday, May 29.

At 10.30am in a packed Shoal Bay carpark (corner of Shoal Bay Road and Government Road) they cruised very slowly through the carpark, avoiding the multitude of potholes. At the time the Outrigger Regatta was on, and with cars from all over the coast attending there were very limited parking spaces available. The council rangers parked, then walked around booking vehicles that were parked in the council 'library bus' area. Many people incurred a $275 fine, all visitors to the area. As locals we approached the officers and spoke to them but were informed that they were only doing their job. No leniency would be given. The officers quickly retreated to their vehicle.

My point is that people came here for a great weekend, behaved themselves, and spent their cash in the area (restaurants and accommodation), then copped a hefty fine on the Sunday. The sign is not clearly visible or obvious. That would sour the weekend for anyone.

The council library bus comes about once a month to the area, certainly not on a Sunday morning.

I would prefer the council rangers, who would be paid Sunday rates, to demonstrate as much due diligence in fining those who are poisoning our trees along the foreshore.

I write on behalf of the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia to urge readers who are impacted in any way by mental health issues to reach out and get help.

It is now estimated there are least at 150,000 people nationwide with a severe mental illness who are not actually getting the critical support they need.

One in 100 Australians now lives with schizophrenia. A massive 50 per cent of people with schizophrenia don't get the help they need. Too many of these people end up in emergency departments. They also end up at a very serious risk of homelessness, poverty and social isolation.

Recent research reveals people who live with psychosis experience higher rates of heart and kidney disease, stroke, epilepsy, diabetes, arthritis and more. People with mental health issues are some of our most vulnerable Australians. We are calling for more community mental health support. It is badly needed. We have a key network which is free of charge and works to help people. It's simply called The Finding North Network.

To find out more, go to findingnorthnetwork.com.au.

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