Letters To The Editor

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Great upgrade

Congratulations Lismore City Council for commencing roadworks on the Skyline Road upgrade. The upgrade is well overdue and regardless of the number of times it has been in Council's plans and budget over the years, its opponents (for whatever reasons) have succeeded in stalling its commencement, and ensuring it remains as a dirt road.

Naturally, the costs have escalated from its proposed commencement many years ago and hence, this also provides an argument for those opponents to again vent their disapproval. Let's get on with it.

The improvements will provide a safer route, and hopefully its upgrade will reduce ongoing temporary fixes after heavy rainfall.

Hey, why not go one step further and just seal the road. As a compromise, maybe Council would consider building an overpass or two (to complement the underpass) for the safety of the koala.

Tony Scicluna
Goonellabah

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Great citizen

Congratulations must go to Bob Wilson as the recipient of such a well-deserved Citizen of the Year Award at Ballina Shire's Australia Day celebration.

Whilst there are many other hardworking volunteers in our communities, Bob has backed up his mouth with many hours of hard work on a wide variety of causes. He will stop to talk to anyone on just about anything involving the Alstonville community but he is one of the few who does the hard slog as well.

This commitment does cost a lot of private time and money, which Bob gives willingly and with the wonderful support of his wife Annette.

Bob has just taken on the role of President of the Alstonville Ratepayers Association that no one else would put their hand up for. He did this as a last ditch effort to save a very worthwhile community organisation from collapse.

It is a pity Bob that some of the people in that group who could help you the most seem very keen to make life hard for you. But, as in the past mate, your dedication and good nature will pull you through and the people of Alstonville will once again benefit from your big heart.

Thank you Bob Wilson for showing us what a true community spirit really means in days when a lot of high profile people go only after wealth and self-gratification.

Geoff Harris
Tuckombil

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Left baiting

Question: How do you get a leftie to squeal like a stuck pig? Offer some healthy criticism on the topic of refugees, a topic where the do-gooders assume they are all knowing - it works every time.

Martin Oliver (Echo, Jan 22) calls our detention centres concentration camps. Really? These facilities have three square meals a day, air conditioning, DVDs, VCRs, Pay TV, video games, hi-fi stereos, gymnasiums, basketball courts, pool tables and other sporting equipment. There are weekly excursions to shopping malls, cinemas, bingo halls, theme parks, sporting events and bush walking trips. In addition they can take vocational courses in landscaping, driver training, language skills, computers, music, yoga and flower arrangements - no doubt the dewy eyed do-gooders lobbied fiercely for the latter activities to be available. Our homeless and many of the world's 800 million that are starving would love to live in these detention centre style conditions. The refugees are not detained either, they are free to go back home any time and we will even pay their way.

M McDermott (Echo, Jan 22) talks about a "lack of logic and poorly presented arguments" in my letters, yet in four paragraphs he/she fails to even make a point. What was that saying about the pot calling the kettle black? Six months of overseas travel does not make you an expert of Australian politics, no matter how smug you think you are. As for Bobbi Allan's ideas (Echo, Jan 22), they might wash at the loopy meetings of Rural Australia for Refugees but Australia taxpayers will never support them.

I'm sure if John Howard introduced an immigration policy allowing only those that can pay a fee, say $10,000 into this country, there would be screams of protest, and most likely from the same sourpuss minorities that complain now. Yet these same people advocate an immigration system where money (to pay people smugglers) is the determining factor, and our migrants are chosen by people smugglers. Accepting boat arrivals would only encourage more unseaworthy vessels to arrive with the possibility of more Siev X tragedies - and to think, I thought you people cared about refugees. It is far better to choose people in their place of origin with selection based on their ability to integrate into our country and enrich it.

To conclude, I would just like to point out that immigration under this heartless Howard government is at a 16 year high and illegal boat arrivals are at an all time low. We live in a democracy, we voted, you lost, live with it!

Tom Murdoch
Lismore

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By George

Well I never thought it possible I would pick up the Echo one day and be on the one hand so entertained, but on the other be so shocked and disgusted. This 'rag' has the lot - although most of us, I'm sure, could do without the second part!

I refer firstly to the splendid effort of Tom Murdoch's great letter (Echo, Jan 15). I just loved the pink elephants, Easter bunny, daisy chains - just great Tom! Although you left out the tooth fairy and Santa (well, even I don't mind him). I'll forgive you! You have described to a tee all the airy fairy bleeding hearts useless bunch of whining hopeless do gooders who pollute this place and this paper with their snivelling pull down us all attitude. I just wish we could export the bloody lot of em to help keep these so called reffos in their own countries to fix those places. But oh no no no. Life's too good here isn't it, you dippos (no such luck).

Take now the second part, yes the truly sickening part, a letter by Bobbi Allan where the question is asked, "are we sick of hearing about refugees?". A resounding yes we are. Don't give a rats rump how many are supposed to be supporting these who have no damn right to be here in the first place. They are 'illegal'. A point completely lost on this pull down a Government lot but actually even worse they pull us all down with their no care for country sickening behaviour. Your probably right, Tom, they are possibly the entire membership of the Dems/Greens although I do suspect the Labor supporter will hang around (maybe) after all, 'phone boxes' are pretty big you know! Bleeding heart little Bobbi shouldn't get over exited about journo's joining it's cause. Most of them have always been left wing extremists from some damn 'uni' anyhow who could never and - shock horror - possibly will never, see the wood for the trees. A typical extreme hairy faced nutter is Mungo (couldn't you just add 4 letters to that name?) on page 11 of the same paper. I really do seriously question this rats mental stability. Just look how he starts off his pitiful bit of journalistic 'excellence' describing our great PM calling him Bush's love object. How sick can you get Mungo? Well I don't read any further. This nutter is really out to win friends and influence people, isn't he? This bloke really makes me sick with his rotten foul disrespectful garbage. Why, Echo, do you suck up to such unpatriotic filth. If our good friends the Yanks only respect the law of the gun, what do you respect McCallum? Answer: nothing! Is it any wonder if they respect the gun. With disrespectful rotters like you around who continually show no respect or out leaders who are doing their best for most of us in a world full of dangerous crims, they do a mighty job, they need guns!

Good on you again Tom, a fantastic truthful bit of penning. Beautifully put together, top description re these dopes (albeit dangerous ones though).

How totally Un-Australian these mongrels really are makes you want to throw up. Having read bubbling Bobbi's letter one has to conclude these types are cunning, if nothing else. If you can stand reading this dribbling tripe notice how she includes Camp Quality and 'mental health' (now the last bit could help our Bobbi). They nearly always include some worthwhile charity but it doesn't take long for her to get around to her favourite little hobby horse "refugees", come on, lets ram the reffos down the necks of a long suffering population as if we haven't had a gutful already. (I'm sure our PM has as well).

We the majority have to get off our butts and cease being so bloody silent or we will be over run by these damn dipsticks and no hopers because you see, they have nothing to lose, they want everything you have, make no mistake, for nothing - they don't want to work for it. You can do that but they will take what you have as that, people, is their mentality and their agenda.

G Wallace
S outh Lismore

Edited for repetitiveness - Ed

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If I ruled

If I was King, not that I am but if I was, I would put the RFS and SES on the same pay scale as the Reservists, basically tax free, with an operational/training allowance.

I would list tobacco as a dangerous substance, and limit it's sale to places where alcohol is served, thus raising the age limit to 18, and removing its sale from food outlets, garages and newsagents.

If I was King, not that I am but if I was, I would build truck only bypasses around towns, and people only railway lines through towns, I would build the first gyro-drifter for fire spotting, and come up with something vegetarian and healthy that can be cooked on a BBQ, or rather I'd let the Queen do it!

William Goode
Lismore

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Short & sweet

It is noted under Letters to the Editor that preference is given to those of 200 words or less. This does not appear evident in The Echo published Jan 22.

I enjoy reading some of the letters, but get extremely bored when some contributors seem to have difficulty in keeping them short and to the point.

Unless you have a scarcity of contributors, which would be unlikely with the forthcoming council elections, I implore you to exert your influence on the matter.

AHA Harris
Goonellabah

We always publish shorter letters before long ones, but this is the readers' page and alas, I have no control over their allergy to brevity. - Ed

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Er, yes...for

Andrew Refshauge was on TV, telling us that he was going to force private schools to teach evolutionary science and not creationism. Evolutionary fundamentalism is not science, it is the oldest religion in the world, reincarnation dressed up as western science.

In countries where reincarnation, the caste system and 'fate' are written into law, Darwinism was welcomed as Western surrender to their beliefs. Both Hitler and Stalin drew their inspiration from Darwinism. "Survival of the fittest"/the master race/the Superman/. The belief that all change is ultimately beneficial is the perfect formula for revolution.

For over a century, the ultimate tribute to an old Commo when he fell off his perch, was that he'd been a great "internationalist". The dreadful chicken coming home now is that internationalism and globalisation are exactly the same thing. That is why these university Marxists who come in by the side door and take over unions, dare not oppose the transfer of aircraft maintenance to countries where the whole idea of maintenance is heresy.

If it is fate that a place must crash, it will crash, no matter what. The Judao-Christian attitude to maintenance has sound scientific basis.

At Harvard University they run courses for Australian union bosses. None will tell what goes on there, but after they return, having drunk of the "faerie mead", they never look the same again. Who are their secret masters?

The great crisis facing evolutionary fundamentalists is the challenge to define these mysterious beings called indigenous races, whom they promote as the true owners of the earth. Did the various branches of the human race evolve separately? And do they have nothing in common except tiered membership of the animal kingdom?

Eddie Burns
Nimbin

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Misquoted

In response to Ed Burns (Echo, Jan 22). How dare you associate my letter and name to your ravings on under age sex and the realities of poverty in Asia.

There is no disjointedness or misusage of words in my letter on the theme of the Christian Church and its understanding of Christ's message on sexuality, you rude little man.

In future, if you have anything to say to me, you will address me as Mr Dale thank you very much. And for your information, my stance on adults having sex with minors is that the age should be eighteen across the board, both hereto and homo expression. And, including the acts of masturbation and oral sexuality, just so you don't get yourself confused again on your sodomy fixation.

"Young men" in my understanding does not equate to "young boys" Mr Burns. And the High Court of Australia concerns itself with the Australian Constitution, NOT Asian Constitutions. You exhibit in your writings, classic cannabis psychosis symptoms, and at the very least, your thought processes are psychopathic.

Why The Echo gave you credibility in the first place reflects badly on the editor. Take my advice Mr Burns, realise your place in the hierarchy of knowledge on the Planet (you're a nothing). And when you have something to say that comes anywhere near an opinion, keep it to yourself, pet!

Arthur Dale
Lismore

Publishing a letter does not mean we endorse its views, but we do believe that our readers are entitled to have this forum to express their views. - Ed

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Have a go

I had the greatest gift and luck in life being born into a close, loving and supportive family and I count my blessings every day for that luck.

My father was a compassionate, loving, gentle, tolerant and generous person who never made an unkind or thoughtless comment about anyone in his long life.

If I ever complained about something, his response was always 'Well Ros, I can see you're unhappy about that. What are you going to do about it?'

It was largely my Dad's influence that motivated me to stand for Lismore Council and yes, G. Wallace (Echo, Jan 22), there is something about being on Council that keeps me wanting to be involved. It's about trying to have some positive influence on what is happening in this community, which is my home and very dear to me.

When you have a Council that works together, with the community and Council staff, in the interests of the community, there is a sense of doing something positive. You learn so much about the community you live in, about a whole range of issues that you never even thought about before, and you meet so many people you would never otherwise meet. I would encourage anyone who wants to serve the community in that way to run for Council at the next election, because it enriches your life and, hopefully, that of your community.

But if anyone wants to be on Council for the money, for perceived 'status' (which doesn't exist) or for any lurks and perks, then local government won't be satisfying. It's hard work, you have to commit a lot of time and energy to it, you have to read and understand enormous amounts of complex material and the allowance you receive doesn't compensate for any of that. And you will be entering a political field where brickbats are more usual than bouquets, where you have to be able to cope with untrue rumours spread about you for political advantage, and to cope with personal attacks from people who don't know you but disagree with your position on particular issues.

Overall, the reward of doing what you can for your community far outweighs the negatives. So have a go! If you're elected it will change your life.

Cr Ros Irwin
Lismore

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Road priorities

Council workers have recently started work on the infamous section of Skyline Road. Council plans to spend in excess of $1.5 million, approximately eight times what is spent on the entire gravel road network and roughly 25% of the entire road budget on approx 2km of gravel road.

Council's reasoning is that Skyline Rd is dangerous. In fact there are many dangerous roads in this council area.

Councils own consultants recommended that $50 million is required urgently to upgrade our roads to safe and reasonable standard.

Yet council can afford only $ 6m a year on road works.

So, here we have a huge problem. Lots of roads that require funding and to few dollars to go around.

To this end the previous council under Ros Irwin established a Roads Committee of which I am a community member, that has prioritised our roads based on a points system that accounts for traffic, safety, maintenance, bus routes and industry.

This is a fair and open system based on logical and objective criteria.

But the six-pack have ignored this and instead have gone for a wish list approach, anointing Skyline Rd for special treatment, pushing it way ahead of higher priority roads.

Put simply Skyline Rd is a" queue jumper".

Skyline Rd will be upgraded at the expense of the safety of other motorists and their families on other roads so that the six-pack can have their wish.

This is irresponsible decision making, lacking sound judgement and common sense.

And while the six-pack are happy to play Santa Claus for Skyline Rd residents when it comes to the highest priority unsealed roads the six-pack are happy to play scrooge.

Councillors Chant, Suffolk, Hampton, Crowther and Baxter voted down a proposal to spend a miserly $200,000 on the two highest priority unsealed rural roads.

No mention of protecting the children on these roads.

No mention of the dangerous conditions on these roads. Instead we have this decision on Skyline Road, where the safety of residents are played off against one another, where council has generously supported a small group of residents while ignoring whole communities. As a consequence there will be a lot less money to spend on the rest of the road network.

This is the sort of divisive decision-making we've come to expect from "the six-pack".

Lismore ratepayers need more from their elected representatives. Come the council elections lets give the "six-pack" the flick and elect independent councillors, not the back-room boys.

David Yarnall
The Channon

• Council candidate for Lismore

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Ostrom St

In March 2004, Lismore ratepayers will have a rare opportunity to elect Local Government Councillors who will listen to their concerns. Now is the time to be asking individual aspirants specifically what their stand will be on issues that concern you.

For example, property owners to the riverside of the low gullyway in Ostrom Street, South Lismore are at present stranded in floodtimes, with no way in or out in cases of medical emergency or evacuation.

Councillors have promised a roadworks upgrade to remedy the situation. Councillor Irwin still mouths the same upgrade promises made five years ago, yet this project mysteriously eludes funding from year to year.

Magically, the same amount of funding, approximately $360,000 is easily found to purchase the 900m2 vacant land ex Nissan Car Sales site. Cr Crowther still promises "dirt for Ostrom Street", however prioritises $1.5 million for the Skyline Road upgrade (which presently services some 150 cars a day) but which will, in effect, give better access to his Donlans Road property.

They say there are no friends in politics, but the effects of past questionable (and potentially litigious) practices (eg. in the sale of land in Ostrom St) by Council, can be remedied.

Councillors elect, and aspirants, I am hereby asking you now, individually, to publicaly make known your stand on an Ostrom St upgrade for this year. Appropriate responses to these concerns would give credence to your ability to listen to and act on behalf of your ratepayers concerns and may assist in your election or re-election".

Paul dos Remedios
Lismore Hts

• Lismore Council candidate

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School funds

The argument put forward by M.G. Hogan (Echo, Feb 3) that education should be in the hands of those who do it cheapest makes my blood boil. The letter states that the government can spend 75 cents per child as compared to $1 for a child in the state system.

If we must talk in strictly monetary terms why doesn't the state government take into account the existing resources in private schools. Well-resourced art departments one to one music tuition, modern drama theatres. Why isn't the contribution of tuition fees taken into account. And as for the bequests of old boys, don't get me started.

Lets have a look at government funding. The state government contributes 25%(of cost of state students) per capita for each private school student as well as interest free loans, transport concessions and exemptions from payroll tax.

Because the Federal funding has been based on postcodes the main beneficiaries have been regional private schools with boarders.

Does Geelong Grammar really need another cricket pitch, football oval or drama theatre. The federal government obviously considers them in need as their funding has increased from $1061(introduced in 2001) to $2801. The private schools are receiving more funding than our universities.

A portion of my letter centred around the importance of educating students with learning difficulties.

These students are mentioned for two reasons. Firstly they are more likely to be in the state system because private schools may reject them because of previous poor school performance. Secondly these students deserve the chance to overcome this initial hiccup, to show whatever aptitudes, abilities they have. This important opportunity will make their education more costly-more specialist teaching. But how do you measure money against the development of a young person's confidence.

Measure education in monetary terms by all means MG Hogan but bring out in the open -the existence of well resourced private schools, their tuition fees, the bequests, the funding from state and federal governments plus the cost to the state system of educating those who may need additional help.

Christine Russell
Goonellabah

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