Although there are constant mutterings of the “north-south” divide between councillors and residents living in the southern part of the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council District versus those living in the former Clare District Council area, it is obvious not enough people feel a strong urge to put their views forward.

Ratepayers recently had a chance to put forward their ideas for redressing the balance in their councillor representation by making a submission in the elector representation review.

And some were brave enough to say aloud what others were thinking in the community.

But out of a potential 7500 electors, only seven put pen to paper and sent their thoughts in to the council.

Clare residents now have another chance to make a difference in their community, and to lobby for better outcomes by attending a meeting put together by the Positive Futures committee.

The committee has been quiet in the past few years, mainly because they haven’t been able to drum up much local interest, but on behalf of the community, they are giving it another go.

If you care about where you live, and care about what happens around you, then put a note in your diary to go to the meeting on Wednesday, July 1, at 7.30pm in the Barbara J Long room next to the Clare town hall.

Other, smaller, towns manage to get wonderful representation for themselves. They work hard for their facilities and services and are not quiet when it comes to telling their council what they want.

It’s time Clare residents made the same effort, rather than expecting the elusive Mr and Mrs “Someone Else” to do the work for them.

No wonder residents in the south think Clare doesn’t care or work hard for its facilities, expecting everything to be handed on a plate - because that’s just what it looks like.