Why must some comply?

After years of formal complaints to council, ICAC and the ombudsman, small business people are still being hammered with compliance, while those perceived as "friends of the council" are getting a free ride.

Gosford Council compliance officers must regularly drive past The Bayview Hotel.

And surely the chair of the Council Traffic Committee Cr Chris Holstien must notice his family business is perceived not to comply with the council policy regulating the use of public footpaths.

I have yet to see a notice displayed in the business premises front window.

The closest I come is the metal sign on the front wall of Duttons Tavern, which enjoys a special blind eye where his use overlaps the bus stop.

This conflict has resulted in my people at Umina being told to remove their tables and chairs. Mann St, perhaps the busiest bust stop in the Gosford Local Government Area, has no such problem.

This is a political issue as both past and sitting councillors have some involvement in the lack of compliance which exposes all ratepayers to fiduciary penalties, which we do not welcome.

I am certain Statewide Mutual won't be to impressed to read this is still going on almost five years after it was first raised.

Edward James, Umina