Letters To The Editor

• Editor's note: Nice try 'V Shavcross and 'D Demetre', but if you're going to send me letters with fake names, at least change envelopes and drop them in at different times. And don't try using a fake phone number, because we do check. Please try to demonstrate the courage in your convictions and use your real name before accusing others of "deliberate misrepresentation", being "manipulative" and not "committed to truth". 'Sarge' Smith, I need contact details for you too before I can publish your letter.

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Alstonville speed

Again I read a letter from Alan O'Neill (Echo, Feb 12) regarding traffic offences in his street and again I read a distorted picture of the facts and another 'payout' on local police. Many readers of our local papers are tired of this constant misrepresentation regarding the actions of our local police and have expressed this.

For a while now, Mr O'Neill has said that he supplies times, dates, registration numbers etc to police and they take no action. It has been explained to him on previous occasions that for police to take action on this information, Mr O'Neill (or anyone else) has to be prepared to go to court and have his evidence tested as he is the only witness to these alleged offences - not the police, they are only the conduit for him to bring these alleged offenders before the court.

Mr O'Neill stated that he has not received a phone call or letter from police regarding his complaints and has only seen very little enforcement in his street. You know this is not true Mr O'Neill, you have received replies to your letters and phone calls. I doubt whether you sit out front of your house and count police cars but another resident in that area has said that they have seen a radar units set up in your street as a result of your letters.

If you are not receiving replies to all your letters, perhaps you should read between the lines. Martyrdom requires honesty and integrity Mr O'Neill.

Doug Townsend

Alstonville

Council view

Last week I attended a council meeting. Days later I am still in a state of shock. Is it true that these are the people making all the important decisions about what goes on in Lismore?

I saw 11 councillors. Of these only four seemed to have any clue as to how to think, how to reason and, more importantly, how to communicate. One councillor in particular must have passed Obfuscation 300-2 with honours. Not only did he ask for (and get!) double time to present his "argument", but I seriously doubt if he is able to buy a newspaper in less than 10 minutes.

"Ummmmm - a copy - ummmm - aahhhh - of the - ummm - Echo - ummm - please - ahhhh."

Since we have a democracy in place, I presume that a fair number of people actually voted for this person to represent them. True democracy, of course, depends on voters making informed choices. Perhaps the vote should be given as a privilege only to those who have actually attended a council meeting and judged for themselves the quality of the candidates!

Rosie Gibbons
Lismore Heights

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Plane naves

G Wallace (Echo, Feb 5) reminds me why I am ashamed to be a European Australian with his ignorant, cowardly and pathetic Aussie far right wing attitude.

He is a fool if he thinks America is a friend of Australia and for supporting that imbecile Howard for imprisoning children because their families are exercising their lawful right to claim refugee status.

Tom Murdoch (Echo, Feb 5) needs to do some research before putting pen to paper as his argument is flawed as 95% of unlawful immigrants enter Australia via our airports with false passports. It's the ones on boats risking their lives (who can't afford to enter Australia by air) who are more likely to be true refugees.

Martin Wade
Clunes

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FAME grows

In these times of health services cutbacks forcing greater reliance on self-help, the role of support groups has never been more important. They are able to assist people and their family/friends to become more aware of their illness and its ramifications, by providing information and guidelines to best deal with it so that life can be as comfortable as possible.

However, support groups are usually set up by people with a desperate need for that comfort themselves, and groups tend to not last very long, not because of any lack of enthusiasm by the leader, but rather from being overwhelmed by the demand for their help. Unfortunately, if the group is not for one of the 'popular' illnesses, such as cancer, getting assistance (funding, able-bodied volunteers) is very difficult if not impossible.

Health Departments love support groups because they can shove the work-load which they should be doing onto someone else and generally it does not cost them a cent! However, the financial cost to leaders of support groups is often substantial, given that many are on welfare.

It is therefore with a sense of both joy and relief that FAME Support Group will achieve its 10th anniversary on Feburuary 28.

FAME started life as an independent group known as FRAME-IN but in 1996 changed its name to FAME when it joined the ME/CFS Society of NSW Inc as their sanctioned support group for Lismore and districts. This change was mainly due to the leaders using all their available energy just to raise funds to pay the insurance.

Today FAME continues to assist people with ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia, with quarterly meetings alternating between Lismore and Ballina. Details will be released shortly of the 10th anniversary meeting at Ballina. To all the people FAME has assisted, a wish for good health. To all the people who have helped FAME in some way, a very big thank you. To FAME's few detractors, it really is time for a fair go.

For any information, please call John on 6622 1675, Beverley on 6687 8103, or famelismore@ hotmail.com.

John Norman & Beverley Fry
Co-Ordinators
FAME Support Group

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Good value

The Prime Minister's comments about values in education has provoked a slanging match over the relative worth of public and private schools.

Unfortunately, not much attention has been given to discussion about what the community believes is important in education. School forms a large part of children's lives and as such the values that are imparted there should be of concern to us.

People choose their schools based on a myriad of reasons. The ability to choose is a very positive feature of our education system in Australia. It is important that the choice of school matches the needs of the child.

As parents of a young child we have chosen Vistara Primary School situated at Richmond Hill. Vistara is an independent non-profit school, which among other things offers a "virtues based" program of education.

Virtues based education develops a culture of character where respect, patience, self-discipline, tolerance, and joyful learning are among the virtues children master. The method aims to help children act on the best within themselves.

The school is small, which is an important criteria for us. It is set within beautiful gardens and upon entering one can sense the serenity. A dedicated school bus delivers the children from Lismore to inside the school grounds. There is a high academic standard as well as lots of art, music, sport and yoga. The children also learn the Japanese language.

The benefits of virtues based education are already evident in the behaviour of our child and her peers. It is a joy to watch Vistara children develop into confident, tolerant, joyful human beings. If any readers would like to know more about "virtues based" education we invite you to visit our school.

Bruce and Cindy Taylor
Goonellabah

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Public schools

It seems that education is firmly on the agenda for the forthcoming federal election, following the Prime Minister's gaffe about values in public schools, the Education Minister's call for standardised report forms and the Opposition Leader's pronouncements on parental reading programs. Every classroom now has its resident politician occupying a prominent place on the mat - something possibly beneficial for the pollies but not necessarily for the children involved. Amongst all the media hype, it's great to see the dual educational issues of "choice" and "equity" getting a public airing.

With respect to choice, the government's first priority should be to provide quality education for those families who have no choice at all. These may include people who have only one affordable local school available and those who have children with special needs.

The government should also provide a quality education system for those people who choose to send their child to a public school (because they value the diversity that is found there and the inclusive secular values that are taught) and for those who choose to send their child to a school that teaches specific religious values.

The debate about public versus private education becomes increasingly irrelevant when we consider the amount of public money that goes into so-called private schools and into the training of teachers for both sectors. The fact is, Australia has very few truly private schools. As governments increase accountability measures for the funding that they provide to schools, the danger is that they become too bureaucratic, thereby reducing the healthy choice that is currently available.

When it comes to the question of equity, serious issues arise when governments are asked to fund schools that are exclusive - not in the sense of teaching particular values - but in the sense of drawing students from one social class. When push comes to shove, that's where governments need to say "enough is enough".

Neville Jennings
Kingscliff

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Religious experience

In response to Esma Daley (Echo, Feb 12) where she asks. What is the gospel according to Jim?

Gospel to me means honesty and integrity, however the Gospels generally accepted are teachings of religious groups as Church doctrine. Millions may believe this doctrine to be true, but this does not make it truthful, as this belief is an act of faith.

My original letter (Echo, Jan 29) regarding Private 'Christian' schools did not single out Anglican and Catholic schools as suggested by Esma, but Christian schools in general. The main thrust of my letter pointed at Pentecostal "Christian" schools. However I stand behind my letter in full.

My very earliest education in the 40s was firstly by Nuns, and secondly by Christian brothers. It was here that I first learnt to have a real fear of a God, who would punish me in hell for my supposed mortal sins. It was here that I was punished over the knuckles for being left-handed. My being left-handed was blamed on Satan.

I was also underweight so had to spend my lunch times on many occasions confined to a small room where I was forced to eat tapioca or sago, whatever the Nuns had left over. I could fill many pages over my early 'Christian' education and I realise that the way I was treated no longer applies today.

My treatment remains but a drop in the ocean when compared to the suffering and humiliation of single pregnant girls in Christian institutions in Australia in the 40s to the 60s awaiting the birth of babies in fear and trepidation. But doctrine still remains doctrine. You say that you were a Scripture teacher for 40 years in public schools, so you would know first hand that Christian theology is such that it teaches that Christianity is the only true religion. (Independent bible researchers and critics, myself included, would disagree).

This supposed one and only true religion creates bigotry and intolerance and should not be taught as truth in any school.

Jim Lee
Alstonville

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Flood policy

When we moved to Lismore, my family was amazed at the blue 1974 flood markers on the power poles around town. Our young children could not envisage such an inundation and, over the 13 years since then, we have not seen a flood like it and are still amazed at its height.

Over recent years, as the wooden poles have deteriorated and replaced by cement poles, the familiar blue signs have gone missing. Those that do remain on old poles are often falling off or faded and difficult to read.

I am aware that many of the residents in low lying areas may have unpleasant memories of the 1974 (and other) floods but, as part of our city's rich heritage and as a tourist talking-point, we need to remember.

With the new levee bank nearing completion, future markers will not be needed- except in South and North Lismore- but that's another issue.

Before all the 1974 flood markers are lost, I'd like to see the missing signs reinstated and those remaining repainted or replaced so that Lismore residents once again can point them out to amazed newcomers and visitors alike.

Jenny Dowell
Goonellabah

• Lismore Council candidate

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Where from?

Question: Tom Murdoch (Echo, Feb 5), where do you get your information regarding refugees from?

Firstly, your description of detention centre facilities was way off. I read your list to my friend who was detained at Port Hedland Detention Centre for four years and he actually laughed! They are certainly not the holiday resorts you describe them to be.

Port Hedland is not fully airconditioned. The "gymnasium" you refer to is nothing more than a few dumb-bells under a tin shed. They do have table tennis, but had no bats, balls and nets for a whole year. The detainees every move within the centre is monitored - that includes toilets/bathrooms. Detainees cannot move freely from one section of the centre to another without a security guards permission. Detainees even have to ask the guards for permission to use the toilets as they are at all times locked. My friend was told to "f*#@ off" many times in regards to access to the toilets, and many detainees took to keeping bottles in their rooms because it was so common for the guards to refuse them access to the toilets.

Huge piles of rubbish would also be left uncollected for days on end, which attracted mice and rats. Apparently the smell was similar to living next door to a rubbish tip.

The most disturbing incident that I was told about was that at least twice a week the guards would wake detainees up in the middle of the night by shinning torches in their faces, for no apparent reason at all.

Not all refugees are "free" to return home either Tom. My friend's country of origin will not allow him to return, so he was left for four years thinking he would be locked up forever.

It is also common knowledge that many countries, Iran being but one, charge refugees upon return as political or religious dissidents and some are tortured and executed.

This isn't leftie "dewy eyed do-gooder" crap either, it's straight from someone who has experienced it all, which takes me back to my initial question, where did you get your information from Tom?

Lisa Allen
Lismore

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Lake debate

I do not wish to get into a slanging match with Ross Greenwood, (Echo, Feb 12). This will be my last reply.

I have never said or written that there are "threatened species living on the lake." It is not in the nature of water birds to stay permanently on one stretch of water. They come and go according to the water levels, the food supply and conditions for nesting. So when earlier last year levels of water on Lismore Lake were so low that even the floating vegetation was missing, of course the Jacanas went elsewhere. The fact that they are now back and breeding indicates to me the importance of this small lake to Jacanas.

Regarding the other threatened species, the Black-necked Stork or Jabiru, now declared "endangered", they need a huge area in which to live and breed.

At this present time a pair are often seen on a stretch of water off the Tatham Road, and a near adult - possibly last year's offspring that was seen foraging with parents on Lismore Lake - I recently saw at the barrage. Can we not now rejoice in the presence of these two unusual birds in our area, (which has no doubt been their area for a long, long time), and help them to survive?

I am glad to see that in his recent letters Ross has ceased to talk about the previous water sport complex being "wrestled from under the noses of our ratepayers" by we selfish greenies, and admits that the lake was closed, mainly due to blue/green algae.

I don't know anything about "the chemicals that exist at the bottom of the lake." Where did they come from? Were they used by Council to combat the blue/green algae? Are they a residue left over from the motorised boats, petrol and oil and fumes? Perhaps someone can enlighten us.

Ross talks of a 25 minority group. Reading the Council's Business Paper at last Tuesday's Council Meeting, I learnt that of the 272 recent submission made to Council, all but one opposed the return of non-motorised recreational craft to use the lake. Council's own staff recommended no return of water craft - motorised or non-motorised - on the lake.

Council has already ruled that dogs at the lake must be on a leash, and are not allowed in the lake.

Finally the question of children. Considering the possibility of blue/green algae, and also the possibility of children being able to wander down a boat ramp and into the lake at unsupervised times, few parents would be in favour. As a mother and great grandmother, I am certainly not.

I can understand the nostalgic feelings of people like Ross, and Cr Crowther, when they recall the previous fun times of the water sports complex. That is why I suggested that if we had $5 million to spare a stretch of river near there could be turned into a safe place for children and water sports. It certainly would not take that amount to create two little islands for the safety of birds on the lake. Conservationists are already willing to plant trees for nothing.

Molly Crawford
Lismore

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Love or money

If we do as Mark Latham suggests - lower pollies earnings - we run the risk of individuals motivated by their concern for their constituents and not their love of money infiltrating the parliament. Gotta keep the "commies" out, hey George.

Better vote Liberal.

Ha Ha.

Marcus Davis
Lismore.

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Books for kids

Every early childhhood educator knows that children who come to school familiar with books and having been read to, are off to a flying start.

On the other hand, teachers are aware that some children come to school never having been read to, having held a book and in fact rarely seeing their parents read for information or pleasure.

Any initiatives, such as Mark Latham's 'book kits' for babies, that aim to improve this aspect of child development should be applauded. I would go further and suggest that local Councils could also support this idea by engaging with sponsoring booksellers to provide 'books for babies'.

In addition, libraries could issue every newborn with a library card. Our own Richmond-Tweed Regional Library offers, among many other things, free borrowing of up to 20 books for a 3 week period.

Just imagine how much family life, particularly the relationship between father and child, as well as the child's development, would be enhanced if he/she was read to for even only 15 minutes every day.

Lismore could lead Australia in becoming a 'Books for Babies' community. It's an idea worth considering.

Jenny Dowell
Goonellabah

• Council Candidate

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Trolley fury

The mind boggles why Lismore Council appears to accept the status quo, pertaining to unreturned Woolworth's trolleys scattered all over the CBD.

Remedial action by Council seems to me an overdue and pressing priority, if Woolworths refuses to see the sense in $2 coin deposits (for use of trolleys) or employing a contractor full time with appropriate vehicle, to collect them daily.

By impounding these trolleys with a suitable by-law statute, Council could make $50-100 on each trolley, when Woolworths finally fronted up to collect them. A nice fillip for the coffers. And I'll volunteer for the job of collecting them at the same rate I offered Woolworths.

Up till this time I have been returning any trolleys I come across in my travels (being retired), from as far away as South Lismore shops and Lismore Base Hospital. But not any more! I offered my services to Woolworths for $5 an hour and litter control, and the waiving of any third party liability claim on January 28. Up till this day, no contact.

You're the laughing stock of capitalism Woolworths. I will send a copy of my proposal to your head office.

When will the management at Lismore Woolworths face up to your community responsibilities re: trolleys?

Perhaps when you get the bill from Lismore Council - I will now shop at Coles.

Arthur Dale
Lismore

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Who will lead

Mark Latham has reason to feel pleased. He is popular, gets good press coverage and, after Queensland, has a "we can win it" attitude to this years‚ federal election.

Northern Rivers voters have an integral part to play in deciding who will lead Australia into 2005. Though Richmond and Page are both held by 3rd term National Party members and have tended to be safe National seats, this has not always been the way.

In 1990 both seats were wrested from the coalition. Page was won on the back of a strong ALP candidate (Harry Woods). Richmond was won through some curious stroke of good luck that saw independent Helen Caldicott go close to winning the seat before dropping out with most of her preferences directed to the ALP. And so ended Charles Blunt's political career. Both seats switched back to the Coalition in 1996.

I believe that for Mark Latham to form government, one or both of Richmond and Page must again fall to the ALP (or an independent).

But for this to occur, quality candidates must emerge. Such candidates have been sadly lacking from the ALP in its recent attempts to win the state seats of Ballina and Lismore.

To the ALP diehards the message is simple - your leader has opened a door that has been shut for years. Don't waste this opportunity.

Martin Gallagher
Lismore

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Lest voters forget

Lismore's Memorial Baths will close its gates for the last time at the end of this month. Work on a new pool complex on the same site is expected to start immediately afterwards - just 27 days before a new Council is due to be elected.

This is a tragedy for Lismore but there are some lessons to be learned by all of us from what has happened.

I know, people are sick of the pool debate and many want the issue to disappear. I wish it would as well. Unfortunately this will not happen even if the new pool is constructed on time and within budget.

Lismore ratepayers will have to dig deeply into their pocket to subsidise the pool for decades to come. It didn't have to be this way.

It is worth remembering that this option - chosen by Councillors King, Chant and the other six-pack members - was opposed by Council staff, Council's pool consultants, the main pool user groups, the pool management, local schools and business groups.

It was also opposed by five of the 11 Councillors and went against the preferences expressed by the community when they were consulted about their needs.

It's no wonder there is so much haste in starting construction ahead of a new Council gaining office.

Because your Council will have to borrow most of the $7.5 million to build the new complex, ratepayers will have to increase their subsidy from $90,000 a year at present to between $800,000 and $1 million a year. That's a tenfold increase.

The impact will be felt in other areas of Council expenditure including roads and other community facilities for years to come. Future rate increases have already been spent.

If you want more details on this sorry saga you can get them on the web at the Independents for a Better Council website (www.abettercouncil.org).

So what are the lessons to be learned? Only one that really matters.

Whoever you vote for in the March 27 Council elections, make sure they are prepared to listen to the community, that they are committed to making financially sound decisions and that they will not vote as an unthinking block.

Fortunately, the dreadful decisions made by the current Council have encouraged a whole crop of excellent candidates to stand this time round.

If we want to take Lismore forward, then we need good people on Council to provide leadership and commonsense.

Take the time to check them out and if you like what you see, give them your support.

Cr David Tomlinson
Modanville

• Lismore Council candidate

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