NOW that the elections are behind us once again I feel I have to make a point.

The Forest of Dean District Council has once again conducted the whole event in its normal professional and efficient way. I was someone virtually on the outside looking in (a counting clerk). My perception of these events was that from top management downwards there was total commitment. In particular the enormous amount of hard work and relentless effort of the manager of this particular section, the preparation, forward planning by her and her dedicated team of both permanent and temporary staff – all of which have a wealth of experience, it was obvious that a strong culture of everyone pulling together was in evidence.

I am sure that they must rank as one of the very best at this task in the country and therefore we are extremely lucky to have them.

Unfortunately this year a very tiny but very significant printing error occurred that somehow slipped through the net, and this must be "a first." It seems cruel, and perhaps to some trivial, to bring this up again, but I feel I must in order to somehow put the record straight as I see it.

Reports of this in the local press were, in my opinion, not wholly correct, and even made the assumption that the matter may not be resolved in time for the election. Who felt that they had enough knowledge to make this assumption?

There was never any doubt in my mind that this would not be rectified immediately.?In fact within hours it appears that the matter was dealt with and under complete control, although it must have put tremendous added pressure on everyone involved on what many may not understand is already a very high pressured undertaking.

OK, so a printing error was made, and yes it was important, yes it was regrettable, but it was surmountable and it was not a global disaster warranting such a demeaning press report.

How many times these days do we pick up a newspaper containing grammatical errors, ommissions, spelling mistakes, incorrect punc­tuation? Regularly.

So please folks, in future give Forest of Dean District Council a break, be grateful we still have a local authority.

By all means report on their failure to deliver when they really do fail. Criticise when they don't meet the standard that should be expected of them and hold them to account, but we read so often of so much negativity which must have such a demoralising effect on the staff who give 100 per cent effort, and I am sure this is the vast majority of the employees.

I am not an employee, nor do I know the manager of this particular section socially, so I have nothing to lose or gain from these comments. But I have witnessed first hand on several occasions her professionalism, expertise, cool, calm, collected approach and the excellent way she interacts with all staff. Plus she is human too!

The entire election process appeared to continue faultlessly and my message to her and the team as a constituent is congrats, excellent, take a break, sleep tight and here's to the next one! Not too soon though!

– Name and address supplied.