SIR: I refer to the remark (BEN, May 15) made by Cllr Howarth, referring to Denis Watson (co-ordinator of Bolton Friends of the Earth) as being an 'odd-ball'.

As Cllr Howarth intended this remark to be derogatory, implying Denis Watson is 'unusual', that he 'stands out among a crowd' and that he 'lives where others fear to tread', then Cllr Howarth ought to realise by now, all remarks of this nature coming from him are not received as an insult but as a compliment. Indeed what greater compliment could anyone hope for than to be acknowledged as being different from the grey, insignificant and ineffectual members of Bolton Council who are quite content to sit back and allow Bolton to become the toxic dumping ground for all the North West.

Yes! Denis Watson is different, he is prepared to fight relentlessly for our environment putting people before politics, he is prepared to voluntarily serve this community for the 'honour of serving' and not for glamour or gain, and he is prepared to stand up, speak out, act and fight for what he believes to be right, for it was Denis Watson who acted responsibly initially informing us - the local residents - of the new clinical waste incinerator at BGH not Bolton Council. It was Denis Watson who was socially minded enough to take the time and trouble to alert us to all the potential dangers of the incinerator. It was Denis Watson who cared enough to patiently, hour after hour, week after week advise and enlighten us on matters of toxic emissions. It was Denis Watson who respected us enough to give us 'full' truths and 'accurate' information. It was Denis Watson who displayed his integrity by standing side by side with us throughout the public hearing desperately fighting to stop the incinerator, not Bolton Council. And it was Denis Watson who we now know to be the genuine, dependable, honest and trustworthy watchdog for the people of Bolton. But! As Cllr Howarth does consider such an outstanding, hard working, committed, honourable and selfless man of such integrity as Denis Watson to be an 'oddball' then one begs to ask, "What calibre of man does Cllr Howarth see around Bolton Town Hall that depicts what he considers to be the norm?"

Lorraine Mason

Clean Air Above All

Bradford Road, Farnworth

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