CLLR MELVYN STONE, of Paignton, writes: Following last week's ­headline 'Fears ferry could be sold by SHDC', Chronicle, March 20, came the disaster warning for residents and ­visitors by Karen Perrow about the drop in our town's economy as well as the shops on the Kingswear side. I agree that if the ferry is sold off it would relinquish the future security of the operation and Dartmouth and Kingswear could become ghost towns. Cllr Julian Brazil asked why just spend £1.4m on widening the slipway – it should also be extended to last for the next 25 years? It was a pity only two councillors attended instead of four. I have also gone through mountains of Chronicles and found Cllr Melvyn Stone ­quoted over the years. The ferry had made profits for the council, which instead of ­putting into 'reserves' for a rainy day had gone in other directions instead. Perhaps now profits are used in ­maintaining and renewing ancient ferries. This past week my telephone and email inbox have not stopped with calls and ­messages in favour of our ­ferries continuing. The foliage I removed from the sign 'ancient ferry' is now readable, which as in the past encouraged visitors and their children to cross the River Dart in a unique way and was also even used in ITV adverts and utilising the whole backs of our buses – no one can miss the opportunity to use this 'time warp' of fascination. May I finally thank the ­people of Kingswear who have contacted me and all others who are full of praise that someone is prepared to be the 'voice of the people'; also the fire brigade and the people of my beloved Dartmouth. Their support has been so vast I ­cannot answer all of their emails and letters. I found another story, Chronicle, March 6, that explained how the Lower Ferry provided transport and a platform for a fire engine to fight a blaze on board the African Queen. So who will be able to be of service to help the local fire brigade, and also Brixham if ever needed as well?