Mr Greensill,

Reinstating the Clarence Valley Council's advertising commitment to the Clarence Valley Independent is essential for the following reasons:

1. The Clarence Valley  Independent is the ONLY objective print media voice for the Clarence Valley Community, it is an essential community service.

2. Your decision to cease advertising with no notice has literally jeopardised the business of the Clarence Valley Independent, the employment of its staff and contractors and the affordable advertising opportunities for ALL Clarence Valley Businesses and Organisations.

3. As the Clarence Valley Council is the MAJOR advertising account for The Independent, and The Independent reports objectively on Clarence Valley Council operations, decisions and issues it, in particular the CVC's recent attempts at community consultation on the proposed rate increases, it appears your decision is a deliberate act of retribution to silence this vital community voice, and the Community WILL RESPOND LOUDLY.

 4. The Clarence Valley Independents' readership is significant because it is a FREE community newspaper, therefore accessible to ALL the  Clarence Valley community members, unlike the Daily Examiner which comes at a cost to the reader. By cutting off this advertising income for the Clarence Valley Independent you are deliberating depriving the less fortunate (poorer) Clarence Valley Community members of access to vital community information, including the information contained in the advertisements placed by Council itself.