Candidates with the right range of skills and experience reflecting the communities they represent are needed now more than ever, writes John Tizard.

Heather Jameson recently asked why I had become a councillor 32 years ago – an 'in your face' challenge' one has to expect from the editor of The MJ! But, it did cause me to draw on deep memories. And, it also made me wonder: knowing what we now know about local government's financial and other challenges, why would any rational person today want to become a councillor?