Democracy appears to be alive and well in Clutha, as its youngsters back a recent stellar election turnout in one of its towns with a little direct engagement on road safety. The Clutha District Council held its annual plan hearings in Balclutha last Thursday, and first up to speak to their submission were 11 children from Balclutha Primary School. The sizable show of pupil power followed the news last week that Clutha district electoral ward Lawrence-Tuapeka notched up the second-highest turnout in last year’s local elections, at 70%, for its community board. Councillors and staff appeared delighted to hear from the young activists in the council chambers. They spoke regarding their concerns about road safety at the rear of the school, on Balclutha’s Glasgow St. Charlotte Watt, 12, said pupils had noticed traffic and pedestrian interactions were "chaotic" during peak arrival and departure times from the school.…