I READ the letter from Councillors John Byrne, Trevor Holt and Mike Connolly (We should focus our efforts on the next phase for Pimhole', October 12).

First of all, I was very impressed with the rapid reply, but the residents and I were expecting some answers to my previous week's questions (October 5).

Instead it turned out to be a personal letter to myself.

How surprised I was to read that none of the questions were answered.

There are a few things that I need to bring to your attention, but before I get to that, the letter uses the word mischief'.

If my asking questions is classed as trying to cause mischief then, yes, I am guilty, but then again I believe that you using the word mischief in your letter is just a way of saying: Sorry we are not going to answer those questions'.

I thought that education came from asking questions, and I thought that you would appreciate education with two of you being ex-schoolteachers!

So gentlemen, back to my questions, which you still have not answered.

Why is there a shortfall of £392,000 when we were guaranteed that the Pimhole Regeneration Funds were ring-fenced and could not be used for anything else?

You are well aware of this, because one of the residents asked you this question a few months ago.

Asking questions is causing mischief is it? Why was £1,240,000 spent on doing Rochdale Road and Heywood Street up first?

Why was £330,000 spent doing parts of the backs of Heywood Street?

I suggest that you come to the area after 7pm and speak to the local idiots who throw fireworks at pedestrians, learner driver cars, at each other and houses.

Why don't you speak to them and see where it gets you! Because the only four letter word that they don't use is work!

As for the empty properties, ask the fire service how many times they have been called out with youths causing annoyance by setting fire to them.

Ask the police how many times they have been called out, or even ask the council how much it has cost when the youths have smashed the doors of these properties in, and they have had to be replaced, at £70 per time. This soon mounts up.

Yes, the scrapyards look 100 per cent better. Yes, the park looks 100 per cent better.

I am well aware of what has been explained to me and your last remark is very offensive about me not caring about the area. I do care about the area and the work that the residents association has done in the last 14 years, during which I have been the chairman.

This obviously speaks for itself, because if I wasn't caring about the area, I wouldn't be in this position.

I am not going to answer any more letters that you may put in the BT but please come to our next meeting and explain to us more, especially the part on where we have got it all wrong. The next meeting is at the Ukrainian Social Club, Openshaw Street, Bury, on Monday November 6, 2006 at 8pm.

You are very welcome.

Jimmy Hill, Chairman Pimhole Residents Association