NEW High Wycombe Mayor Frances Alexander should be congratulated for her decision to concentrate on promoting the town's image rather than raising money for charity.>

The Bucks Free Press comments on some of this week's stories

Let's join new mayor and boost town

NEW High Wycombe Mayor Frances Alexander should be congratulated for her decision to concentrate on promoting the town's image rather than raising money for charity.

Cllr Alexander is challenging all sectors of the community to do something to make the town more beautiful. And she is producing 'I Love High Wycombe' badges and T-shirts. However, the mayor promises to help any charities who request her services.

Mayors down the years have, admirably it must be said, devoted most of their energies to fundraising for their favourite causes.

This has brought in much-needed money for vital projects and there have been a number of magnificent appeals. But, at the same time, there are numerous charities in this area all competing essentially for the same pot of public money. It is reasonable for the mayoralty to give the fundraising side a breather for at least one year and concentrate instead on something else equally important.

The number one role of any mayor is to promote and support their town, of which they are elected first citizen.

High Wycombe's image has often come in for a bit of a battering. The town's good name has even crept into the repertoire of stand-up comedians who make disparaging generalisations about it, in the same way they used to joke about the likes of Bognor Regis.

Yet, it is a truly good town, with so much going for it. It has excellent schools, fine industry, a fabulous historical heritage and a thriving football team.

That's why Frances Alexander is so right to stand up on the rooftops and yell out loud and clear about the greatness of High Wycombe.

Let's all get behind her and spend the next year celebrating one of the best towns in England.

Shaming videos have wider use

MOST people do not think speeding is a crime - but driving a few miles over the speed limit can cost a pedestrian's life.

This week, police launched Operation Pride where motorists breaking the speed limit could swap a fixed penalty ticket for watching a grim video showing the aftermath of accidents caused by speeders. This campaign could be extended to drug dealers. They could be shown the bodies of people who died after taking their evil substances.

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