Letters To The Editor

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True patriot

I make claim that there would be no one in this wonderful country of ours that would be more for democracy, freedom and the Westminster system of government than yours truly. And if this set up ever falls short of what it's intended to deliver then that only ever happens when 'snakes' posing as humans take advantage of this best ever great system and that's a fact, Jack!

We have never in my 68 years enjoyed 10 odd years of debt free, stable, honest, sensible and decent gutsy leaders as we now have in J Howard.

Why is it then that there are these damned dropkicks out there who still pollute the pages of this section slinging off at our PM? Even these numb nuts are better off since Howard, but oh no, out comes the sewer dwellers, the lowlives, the braindead with their awful filthy foul comments. Why there are non-thinking Aussies out there who support these queer rotten types is just beyond belief.

The state 'Labor' is just as bad. Carr told someone I know recently that his Government was broke, had no money to help this personal SES branch when asked and yet still is able to find the odd $30 million [it's $300m - Ed] for some damn arty farty "Opera" building in, of course, Sydney (that's where the votes are). A building which sucks up to the 'uppity' minority.

If by some frightening nightmare (God help us all) Latham were to win next time, all the good work and wonderful reputation and security as well as of course our healthy growing economy would be blown to bits! Back to 'illegals' by the boatloads and mark my words, they'll stay and we won't know who they are or what they'll bring.

Suck up to our neighbours even though we will never earn their respect simply because our lifestyle is completely foreign to them, as (thank God) theirs is to us, but you see, that's Labor and they will never change. No doubt!

Our PM is on about how political correctness is harming free speech and opinion. For example some schools won't allow Xmas or nativities. Teachers unions pushing their own agendas trying to destroy our traditions and well-earned way of life! All we have long held dear to us, gone forever! If Labor do make it, this will all just explode and folks you will not be able to stop it.

We will be a 'republic' within the first 12 months I predict, without doubt.

Folks, why are they pushing for this? It will never benefit you and me, be sure of that.

J Howard is and always will be anti-republic and any other thing that is not for the well being of most of us which is as it should be. That is true democracy after all, isn't it? Majority rules!

In conclusion I refer to letters (Echo, Feb 12). Firstly re my spelling which was taken to task by a 'sic-dill-rat'. Goodness, did I spell that wrong? Maybe it was a grammatical error. No I don't think so! Oh, I am so uneducated! Well now I'll have to stop writing in to The Echo won't I? No I won't (so cop that, jerk).

As for Ms, Miss, Mr, Muslim, meagre, mediocre, meretricious, "Clouded" brain, (see I can spell after all) who cares what you think! At least you've placed me in good company. Thanks for that, dippo!

Lastly, we have Billy (the) kid or was that Bill the dill. I don't know. They're all so forgettable, aren't they? But so knowledgeable, so educated, so intelligent, so coherent, so much better than us ordinary lowly peasant convicts but most of all, they are all such bloody boring basilisks! Look that one up you Latham - loving loser loonies!

At least this paper's editor has a bit of guts and democracy to print some opposing views to the usual prattle.

PS. I'll be polite when you all are to our PM. A stint in the Nashos would soon teach you mob some manners decency and respect, so bring it on.

G Wallace
South Lismore

• Edited for length and with consideration of vilification laws - Ed.

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Party power

The subject of political parties standing candidates for Council is much talked about and written about, including in Ros Irwin's letter (Echo, Mar 4) where she refers to candidates with either disclosed or undisclosed membership of a party.

I point out that another political party, that she did not mention, is running a ticket in Lismore and that is the Australian Democrats.

I publicly state that I would bring all the strengths of our party to my work as a councillor. This does not mean that I would be told what to do by some outsider, quite the contrary, being a Democrat means not being told what to do. It means thinking for myself, taking responsibility for my own conscience and actions.

In stark contrast are candidates who, misleadingly, do not disclose their membership of a political party to voters, some even calling themselves "Independent". They say that their party membership has no effect or influence on the way they work in Council.

This begs belief, particularly in a party powered from the top down, and I wonder why they are party members at all.

Equally misleading are the Green party, who only last month were vehemently declaring their support for Democrat attempts to legislate for mandatory disclosure of party membership, when in practice, in this election, they are directing preferences to a candidate who will not have his party membership on the ballot paper.

Julia Melland
Goonellabah

• Lismore Council candidate

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Me too

In response to Must Be Crazy (Echo March 4). Maybe I'm sane, maybe I'm not, but I am a prophet. No one will write disagreeing with this astute man's opinion. He encapsulates accurately the stupidity and complacency of the Australian political public's will.

He reflects the truth that people vainly attempt to buy our way out of trouble. But he doesn't mention that many politicians now seem to be telling untruths and, quite overtly, remain unaccountable. Thank God there are a few "up there" who aren't "up there" or we would've been sold out already. I'm sure that God knows what's happening. Still it seems insidious what is occurring.

I do not believe that our country is a democracy anymore. That we are actually an oligarchy that supports the monarchies of money mongers and their aristocratic industrialist cronies.

These two groups do need us who dwell in the demes (now called suburbs and towns) as we, without as many choices as the few elite, become more and more deemed by their ostentation and secrecy. I am sure that anarchy will not occur because this usually evolves out of democracies. Hence their perceived need to maintain, in secret, an oligarchy. In this modern age few people would or could distinguish between these forms of polity. Let 'em think they've got decent roads and keep the alcohol cheap enough to numb their brains every night and guess what, most people won't even care. A few of us have perfectly functioning hearts and no need to figure out our so called leader's intelligent lies. It's simple, we need a few more crazy folks. I can see quite plainly where the sane ones have us.

Thanks Marcus. I don't feel so alone now.

Keith Stone
North Lismore

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Voting methods

There still seems to be some confusion about the upcoming local government elections, and I'd like to clear at least some of that up. The more cynical amongst us have suggested that this confusion is intentionally created to minimise the effect and effectiveness of independents and minor parties. We shall see I suppose.

Anyone who is registered to vote, that is if the State Electoral Commission (SEC) has a record of your name and address, is required to vote in the upcoming Council elections.

You do not have to be a ratepayer or business owner or any other such spurious qualification. You just need to be eligible to vote. If you have moved since you last notified the SEC of your address, or have just recently moved to the area and have not yet notified your change of address, it is too late. The rolls are closed. You will need to vote from/for your last known address. It is still worth updating your records ASAP however so you can vote in this area in any upcoming elections (Federal is coming soon).

Everybody who is eligible to vote should vote on March 27 to elect a better Council. It is time to end the role of vested interests and also to cease the wasting of effort on personal battles between Councillors. We need a Council with vision and the ability and willingness to make decisions on the issues presented not the people involved. We need a Council that is willing to work together for the betterment of the whole community, not forever be pulling at cross purposes to the detriment of all our residents.

Council is the closest tier of government to the people, and should therefore represent the diverse views that make up our community. That is where you come in, vote on March 27th for those you think most likely to successfully and effectively represent this community into the future. In other words, please vote for change.

Gray Wilson
Lismore Hts

• Lismore council candidate

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Rent rort

The Keating legacy ensures the taxpayers of Australia continue to fund the Labor Party.

Thanks to a great rent rort signed off by former Labor Leader Paul Keating, the Labor Party got a goldmine and taxpayers got shafted. This has been happening consistently for the past 11 years and has already cost the taxpayer $18 million.

Just so that the facts of the rent rort are crystal clear: a commercial tenant in a building in Barton, just around the corner from the Labor-owned Centenary House, pays $290 per square metre.

A commercial tenant in Centenary House pays $314 a square metre, however, the taxpayer-funded Australian National Audit Office is paying $871 a square metre for space in Centenary House and it is going up nine per cent every year guaranteed.

Under the deal: in 2004 the Labor Party gets $3.9 million above market rent; in 2005, $4.4 million above market rent; in 2006, $4.9 million above market rent; and, in 2007, $5.5 million above market rent.

This means the Labor Party is forcing taxpayers to pay 300 per cent above market rates.

There is also an options clause in the lease which means the rent rort can continue for a further five years. Another $38 million above market rent could go straight into the coffers of the Labor Party by 2012.

The Leader of the Opposition talks about ethical standards, but he is not too ethical to take the money generated by Centenary House at taxpayers' expense. All Mr Latham has to do is get on the phone and say: "Renegotiate the lease" and the rort can end today.

These millions of dollars could do a lot of good spent on behalf of the Australian taxpayer. We could have 10,000 MRIs, 160,000 GP consultations or 374,000 flu vaccinations every year.

But in the hands of the Labor Party just imagine what $4 million during an election year is going to pay for.

Ian Causley, MP
Member for Page

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Gene scam

Act now or lose $150,000! Sound unreal? If someone had registered ownership of the genes of some of the plants the seeds of which blew onto your property in last week's storm and took root there you could be in as much trouble as a kid who downloaded a song on the internet for free - or Percy Schmeiser whose canola crop was contaminated with blow-in GM canola - and was ordered by a Canadian court to pay over $150,000 damages for infringing Monsanto's "patent rights".

Do nothing, and you could be the one sued for massive amounts of money for infringing rights you didn't know about and did not act to infringe - what if someone got the rights to the genes of Camphor Laurel and some have started growing on your place - even your backyard?

We must have fast action. What to do? We must get laws passed urgently - before this election - which make it illegal to sue for damages arising out of patent rights where the person being sued did not willingly and deliberately use the information in the patent right, and where a patent right holder persistently initiated actions where there was no proof of deliberate infringement, he could be convicted of malicious persecution.

What to do? You must contact your local Federal member and convince him that you would hate to be sued like this, that you would not vote for him unless he took successful action in the Federal Parliament to get the protective legislation passed and proclaimed BEFORE the next election.

There is no other way to protect yourself from the great American way of getting rich quick by suing. Don't delay, we need completed action before someone latches onto you like Monsanto did to Percy Schmeiser.

Unless you would not be upset to lose $150,000 or so! It's legalistic terrorism! Don't give your member any peace till the protection is law and you are safe.

Nat B Wheatley
Alstonville

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Toy run thanks

On behalf of this years Children's Christmas Appeal Toy Run Committee I would like to thank you for your generous support that has made this years fund raising such a success. Without your continued support we would not have a Toy Run each year and the various children's support groups would miss out on the valuable funds raised.

As you may have seen or heard form media coverage and reports, this years Toy Run was washed out, although a number of keen motor bike rides braved the elements and made the ride from Lismore to Ballina. The overall result was still a great success with total funds raised being $6,500, our best effort to date. Thanks once again for your support leading up to the day. Each year the benchmark rises and we look forward to the challenge of raising more money and encouraging more of the motor cycle community to get involved in this great event.

On behalf of this years Motorcycle Toy Run I would like to wish you and your family, friends, and all your staff a prosperous New Year.

Patrick Higgins
North Coast Children's Motorcycle Toy Run Inc.
Wollongbar

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Pool face

I'm delighted to see letters appearing from Council candidates that acknowledge the financial daftness of the current plans for a "new" swimming pool for Lismore. It confirms my belief, based on numerous conversations with community members, that the 'six pack' (Crs King, Chant, Suffolk, Crowther, Hampton and Baxter) have got the decisions awfully wrong.

It also confirms the fact that this voting block is deaf to the opinions and consensus of those they were supposedly representing.

It's repugnant that the endplay of this extremely contentious issue was neatly placed out of public view (in a sub- committee appointed by bow knows who) disempowering the community from informing the ultimate decision. The current council (or at least all 6 of them) appears to excel in politics (and political manoeuvring) and be totally bereft of vision and a willingness to mediate between interest groups with a view to building community harmony through sensible and sensitive compromise. When I make my voting decisions I will be carefully examining the funding of the various groups campaigns and their affiliations with major political parties (other overt and indirect).

The last thing Lismore needs is another period of inflexible party line decision-making and all the worst aspects of Canberra-style power play for the sake of personal democracy, and for good decision-making local concerns need to drive the agenda.

Lismore deserves a top class aquatic centre. It would balance the pull of the coast by providing swimming, play and fitness opportunities 12 months of the year.

Tourism would be stimulated, business' would benefit as a flow on from regional visitors choosing to come to Lismore rather than heading north and the city would become a more attractive proposition to senior executives (perhaps influencing decisions about the location of new regional headquarters).

Lismore's aquatic centre needs to answer the needs of the community present and future. It needs space to be able to incorporate provisions for social as well as sporting opportunities for families, young people, the aged and those pursing fitness goals and do all this with the definite expectation of returning a profit to council.

I hope it's not just that experienced council stalwarts (Ros Irwin, David Tomlinson) that believe this course of action would be the best for all. There is an awful lot of damage control and repair that the incoming council will have to attend to, to reverse a very negative legacy left by what will be remembered in local lore as a poor joke about cans of beer. Not a good image for lovely Lismore... what about platypus' and koalas at play instead?

Liz Gibbs
Eltham

• Edited for length

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Planning policy

Your article on planning (Echo, Feb 12) raised several important issues regarding the planning policy of the Lismore City Council.

The implications of the decisions made regarding planning policy at the last council meeting cannot pass without proper public consultation or greater discussion by councillors.

Your report that the sunset clause has been reduced to 12 months was not voted in by councillors, the 36- month period remains in force as confirmed by Cr. Crowther.

Part of my address during the public access session at the last council meeting included the following statement.

"The effect of this scheduling proposal will further stifle residential development in this city and put residential land in the same category as rural residential land - under an artificial quota system.

Under the proposed system it is possible for the number one priority on the urban strategy to delay by up to three years the rezoning of other lands on the urban strategy. It is also possible to use the land stock issue argument to further delay other lands progressing to rezoning for the lifespan of the approved development application on the number one priority land.

However, once a rezoning is approved the sunset clause applies. But this gives three years to gain approval for a development application for say an estate or as little as some drainage or Minor earthworks.

An approval usually lasts three years but it is possible under certain circumstances for it to have a lifespan of five years plus another year.

So, this scheduling of lands cannot and will not guarantee one extra block of land on the market within a reasonable timeframe. All it does is protect the number one priority on the urban strategy from competition."

The now endorsed scheduling proposal has the effect of blocking all other landowners from rezoning their land until the number one priority land on the Lismore Urban Strategy is fully rezoned, has a Development Application approved by council (sunset clause allows up to three years to get a DA approved).

Put simply, it works like this: Land goes into Urban Strategy, Urban Strategy approved by Government authority

Number one priority landowner lodges rezoning application - no time requirement

Rezoning application approved and gazetted - three years sunset clause begins

Development application lodged and approved - three years normal lifespan but can be up to five years plus one more.

The result is total market control aided and abetted by council policy to the detriment of Lismore. Because there won't be enough variety of good residential land available to satisfy demand, buyers will be forced to look to the coast and it won't be too long before major commercial and government infrastructure follows.

So much for good planning policy and restrictions on trade!

Every business owner and ratepayer in Lismore should be asking questions of their elected representatives and those intending to stand for election at the upcoming council election.

Paul Armour
Lismore

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Cunning plan

Perusing the letters to the editor - it looks like any bugger with a thumbnail dipped in tar and half a brain is standing for Lizzy council.

I ask meself why? There's no cash in the claw payments. And it leaves ya bugger all time for watchin' The Simpsons.

Then the penny dropped!

Brown paper bags behind closed doors, playing pass the parcel? And if some buggers got their hand in the till, then move over rover and let me in.

So I'm throwin me hat in the ring for the up and comin' council elections. If ya stand back and give me a good squiz, ya can see I'm a community minded bloke of the highest ethical standards. And to keep me on the straight and narrow, I've got me dear old mum, god bless 'er soul, as me campaign manager.

Mum might be a bit long in the tooth, but I tell ya, she can still give a bloody good clip behind the ears, if ya askin' for it.

We're throwin' our lot behind the Art in the Heart mob. Even blind Freddy can see, me and me mum are culturally minded types.

The winds are changed and we're askin' ya to forget all about that smelly little puddle... Lismore Lake.

Cos the locals 'ave chosen iconic architecture instead. And it's right in the guts of Lizzy city itself. So take a squiz at the old school site and what do yo see? Lismore's icon of 'cons, a magnificent pink and grey galah, a massive monolith thrustin' up wards penetratin' the heavenly abode. Complete with revolving restaurants, sound shells, silver service and a clock, that squawks on the hour every hour and twelve times at midnight. Art in the Heart alright. Lismore's runnin on Galah time.

Mum was a good looker in her day. She's in her 80's now, but can still lift a leg higher than ya average dingo. Been busier than a one armed taxi driver with crabs, making Galah suits. We're gunna bung them on the local young 'uns. A uniform they'll be proud of. The sort of thing a young 'uns. A uniform they'll be proud of. The sort of thing their mum about.

Then it's off to Brizzy on a work for the dole scheme let the little buggers loose on Queen St Mall. Two hundred Lizzy locals in Galah suits, runnin' up and down squawkin' their heads off and flappin' their wings, in a suave sophisticated manner. Come the six o'clock news, free nation wide coverage. I reckon ya can bet the missus glory box on that. And what do ya reckon? Is that putting Lismore on the map? Or is that putting Lismore on the map?

Pssss remember Mum's the word.

Frank Cook
South Lismore

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Some Assumptio

Let us presume the human race is gradually becoming enlightened and we all know that what the earth needs is healing and we also know that the humans occupying it are also in dire need of healing especially the nasty, destructive and evil ones.

Somewhere in these human's lives, you will find trouble, pain and trauma. Western medicine of both physical and mental realms is unable to deal with it and is not only unsuccessful in its methods, counter- productive and consuming of vast amounts of earth's resources but is suffering under an unbelievable backlog.

Western medicine is the first and only system that reduces the health of the individual to the material plane. Western society based entirely on the material world is totally destroying the earth and traumatising it's people. Traumatising people will only further increase the load on the health system. Having suffered a large amount of pain and trauma in my own life due to our constrictive ad destructive patriarchal society I was burdened for many years with debilitating pains in my kidneys. They started in the cruel old days of single mothers giving birth and having their babies taken away in the most cruel and destructive way. Woman abused and marginalised for the sake of the patriarchal male ego.

I have recently undergone an intensive course of Ayurvedic healing and colonic irrigation and the pains in my kidneys have gone.

Fantastic as it may seem to the Western medical practitioner the colonic irrigation practitioner can look at the discharged water and from patterns and colours know what is wrong in their.

Adrenal glands frozen and exhausted from being in fright or flight position for many years and as these glands sit on top of the kidneys they stress and damage the kidneys.

Surely we would save a lot of money and resources and unburden an overwhelmed medical industry by expanding our knowledge and understanding instead of resisting.

Why is kidney disease and renal failure one of the most common diseases of aboriginals in Australia, especially Central Australia? Could it be stolen children, stolen lands, continuous persecution and racism have something to d wit it and that alcohol being used as an anaesthetic to their suffering is not the main cause?

How many more people are we winding up in this world with trauma, pain and suffering by our support and active involvement in wars and the destructive way we treat its victims only to have them become burdens if they survive on world wide failing western medical systems.

Politicians can write in their humbug blah! blah! blah! But they have been so busy becoming politicians they know nothing about anything and are leading us on a road to nowhere.

Lynne Oldfield
Nimbin

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Voting system

I was glad to see that Shaggy (Echo, Feb 26) mentioned the new voting system being used in the March 27 Council elections in his musings last week.

It appears that no advance official information will be issued to voters explaining the changes from previous Council elections. Voters need to work it out on the day by following the instructions on the ballot paper.

The council ballot paper will appear similar to a Senate or State Legislative Council ballot paper with above the line and below the line voting, with most candidates being grouped. It will be a very large ballot paper.

An important difference will be that the groups do not pre- determine where the 2nd, 3rd etc preferences will go, via a registered "How- to- Vote" card.

However, many local groups contesting this election are advising voters wishing to vote for them, how to use their preferences to best ensure the final make up of the Council is the best one for Lismore, from their perspective.

I strongly urge voters to use their preferences and not just vote 1 above the line. Voters can indicate preferences to as many groups as we want, above the line, and this prevents the vote from being 'exhausted' in one group and enables second (or even third or fourth.) favourite candidates get elected for the last available Council seats instead of least favourites.

Voting for smaller groups 1st and using preferences after that, is not a wasted vote - it gives a voter extra votes that can keep on being counted up to the final outcome.

Julia Melland
Australian Democrat Council & Mayoral candidate
Goonellabah

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Green council

A recent Federal government report by Australia's leading climate scientists gives a devastating assessment of what future generations can expect.

The report warns that over the next 70 years, Australia faces a future of higher temperatures, more severe droughts and raging bushfires as well as major outbreaks of tropical diseases such as dengue and Ross River fever.

An article in the respected "Nature" magazine estimates that 1 million species will have disappeared by 2050.

What can a household do? Lismore Council's Energy Smart Homes Policy goes some of the way in stating that water heating is the biggest greenhouse gas generator in the home. Solar hot water systems are the most energy efficient and save the greatest amount of greenhouse gases. However the policy only "encourages"

people to use solar hot water.

The Greens would like to see the formation of a Lismore Council Environment Committee, composed of staff, councillors and interested residents to find ways to strengthen this policy and to organize affordable interest- free loans so that all new homes (and particularly large developments) have solar hot water.

Think globally, act locally!

Sue Stock
Nimbin

• Lismore Council candidate

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Women lead

A Local Government survey of 1700 councillors elected in 1999, showed that 26% of them were women. Although well short of the 50+% in the broader community, the numbers show an increase on previous counts.

At first glance, the percentage of women standing for Lismore council election on March 27 is a comparable 33% and an improvement on the 17% on our current council.

When the position of the 20 women from the total field of 60, is more closely examined, the figures are not so encouraging. Only 4 of the 9 teams contesting the councillors positions have placed women in the winnable top 2 positions on their teams. The 3 teams led by sitting male councillors and the 2 teams led by the business fraternity have no women above position 4 on their teams.

I cannot believe that their are no capable women worthy of position 1 or 2 on these prominent teams and can only suggest that the men who lead these teams do not think women are able to do the job.

On March 27, we will find out if the people of Lismore agree with them. I sincerely hope not.

Jenny Dowell
Goonellabah

• Lismore Council candidate

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Work harder

It's in regards to Peter Costello's comment to keep our parents and grandparents working for life.

I believe Mr Costello has pin pointed a problem in society, unfortunately, he's focused on the wrong age group of concern.

You see, the greater concern should be about those who are retiring at age 16 - 18 than those that are 50+.

If you don't get it, think about it. Do you really think keeping people working longer is a real solution, especially with the tax system the way it is...not to mention the lack of opportunities for the young people with older people still in the workforce. You only have to look at the current teaching profession to see how that model's going.

The truth is the only real solution is for people to take responsibility for their own future. Unfortunately, the biggest lie we have been told is that the government will look after us in the retirement.

The real sad truth is that the government's job is not to solve problems, but survive to be elected for the next term... Short term patch up jobs don't last long and never will.

The real tragedy of this new initiative I believe is for the kids growing up. As more people remain in the work force, it will simply be harder for kids under 18 to get quality work.

As one of the best local teacher's informed me, "too many of our kids do retire too young & as a consequence don't reach their true potential in life."

How very true that is?

Live with Passion,

Chen Tay
Ballina

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School values

I have listened with interest to the recent media debates regarding values in education but feel that another issue, that of virtues education has been omitted from the discussion.

Virtues are innate qualities that we all have within. This differs from values, which depend upon persons in power, be they parents, schools or governments attempting to impose their own set of values upon others

My children attend Vistara Primary School, a small not for profit independent school which has been practising virtues based education for 20years.

Virtues education is essentially education in self awareness and self discipline. It enables children to discover and act on the best that lies within themselves. A culture where respect, tolerance, patience, self discipline and a joy for learning are seen as the norm ensues. While academic intelligence is valued, it is far from the only results from this schooling. Emotional, social and eco intelligence are natural by- products.

It is a joy to watch Vistara children develop into colourful, confident, tolerant, joyful, independent thinkers and human beings. The children and staff work and communicate in a very serene and peaceful fashion. The discipline system is focussed on the values project. When out with the school for sport and excursions we often receive comments on what a remarkably happy and peaceful group it is!

Why not teach virtues and allow our children to discover for themselves what lays within them and others that they value. In a framework of respect, encouragement and love this is very possible.

Lee McDonald
East Lismore

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Agree to disagree

I have to take issue once again with Mayor Merv King (Echo, Feb 26) in relation to the $7.5 million white elephant we know as the Lismore Memorial Baths upgrade.

He seems to imply that by selling surplus Council property and dipping into reserves Council has set aside for other purposes, we can reduce the cost of the baths.

Well Cr King, that is all smoke and mirrors stuff.

The cost of the upgrade remains the same no matter how it is financed.

I estimate that ratepayers will have to subsidise this folly, one way or another, to the tune of $800,000 to $1 million a year for decades.

This is more than ten times the subsidy we give to the current pool.

Yes, we can sell Council properties but, if we do, we forgo the rent these properties now bring in - forever.

If we dip into our savings (reserves) we lose the interest that those reserves are now earning - forever.

In addition you have not considered the fact that the pool will be running at a substantial loss.

And do you really expect attendances to double if we put up the entry fee by 75 per cent?

Crs King, Chant and the rest of the six- pack bulldozed this project through Council against the advice of the regular pool users, the pool management, local schools, Council staff, Council's aquatic consultants and the general public.

And they are rushing it through with the old pool to be demolished just days before the Council elections on March 27.

There are other priorities Mr Mayor, and we cannot afford this sort of waste.

Amongst others, Goonellabah needs aquatic facilities and our roads need much more attention.

Cr David Tomlinson
Lismore

• Lismore Council candidate

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Drug program

The NSW Government and Justice Minister Hatsistergos are to be congratulated on expanding the help being provided to addicts through Drug Court programs.

This compulsory assistance to break the addiction cycle will have a far more positive benefit than excusing drug use; legalising it, replacement drug maintenance or the injecting room's waste of funds.

The effect of compulsory court- supported detox, treatment and rehabilitation to help drug addicts become drug free will have a beneficial effect not only on their own lives and improvement in health, but also on general community safety, reduction in general crimes and more significantly, reductions in drug related property crime which make up the larger proportion of property crime and community fears such as robberies.

All levels of Australian governments should be placing more emphasis on protecting vulnerable victims of crime from the never- ending drug crime cycle while helping addicts become drug free.

Instead of surrendering addicts to the misery of addiction, as some would suggest, let us instead place more emphasis on education, law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, working together to prevent illicit drug use.

Michael D. Robinson
Executive Director
Drug Free Australia Ltd

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Think Green

No thinking individual ever completely shared all the policy positions of the party to which they were member. It is only through humility and self discipline that individuals can put aside their differences and work together for the fulfilment of the shared goals of a party, or a family or any social unit. It is these qualities of humility, self discipline and service which we should encourage in our councillors and parliamentarians.

With the 'Greens' you know what you're getting. You can look up our web site greens.org.au or nrg.com.au/~summerlandgreens and read exactly what our policies are on any and virtually every issue of note. In addition the directly democratic structures of 'the greens' stop back sliding on policies and elections promises.

If it had been the Greens who had held the balance of power there would have been no reversal of policy on the GST, and we would not have been lumbered with the recurrent BAS nightmare and the consequential collapse of our small businesses and many community organisations.

So granted that the members of a party always have recourse to a 'conscience vote' as they do in the Greens, then a vote for a know party is a wise vote.

You know what you're getting and you know you've got a good chance of getting it. Vote Green.

Laurence Axtens
Nth Lismore

• Lismore council candidate

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Road funds

The Howard Government's plan to change Federal/State road funding arrangements under AusLink should be regarded as nothing short of a shameless exercise in cost shifting and responsibility shifting.

When Roads Minister, Senator Ian Campbell, told the National Roads Summit last month that the Commonwealth should not be expected to pay for the construction and maintenance of the National Highways, he confirmed that politics not policy will be the basis for all future roads spending.

It means that the Howard Government intends to cherry- pick national highway projects for political purposes and leave the rest of the network to fall through the cracks for state and local governments to pick up.

It confirms that the Howard Government is only interested in the high profile projects for political gain and it has no interest in the economic development of Australia and no interest in making the National Highway safer for all road users.

In every State and Territory there are billions of dollars in outstanding road construction projects and upgrades along the vital National Highway routes yet the Howard Government now says it's not our job and not our responsibility.

Every city and every town across Australia needs to be wise to the agenda of the Howard Government and send the clear message that this is just not on.

The Labor Party is rock- solid in our commitment that responsibility for the National Highway is one hundred per cent with the Commonwealth and will not be party to political game playing at the expense of the national interest.

The Minister for Transport and the Minister for Roads should have the guts to come clean now on what they will and won't fund and must spell out which sections of the National Highway they are walking away from.

Martin Ferguson MP
Federal shadow minister for urban and regional development, transport and infrastructure.

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