Letters To The Editor

Club wronged

I was angered and offended by the articles concerning the game called off because of  poor lighting involving Tintenbar-East Ballina Soccer Club (Echo, Aug 18, Pages one, five, and 24).

I was a supporter at the aforementioned soccer match and I would like to clarify a few things. 

Firstly, the goalkeeper, Scott Stelzer, who plays for fourth division, not over-35s as stated, was the man who claimed the lighting was insufficient. He was concerned for his safety, the safety of his teammates, and the safety of Byron Bay. I don't know where your reporters get their information, but Scott did not once mention that he was going to sue anyone, let alone the referee. He spoke to the referee, Keith Barnes, and said "If anyone gets injured, it'll be on your head."

This statement has been taken totally out of context and provided to your paper, who in turn has called Scott a "tort law terrorist", when all he was trying to do was prevent anybody from being hurt, and the referees being blamed for not making the decision themselves. 

Secondly, the paper has stated that Tintenbar-East Ballina fourth division were at threat of losing the lead in this division by losing to Byron Bay, making our club look like petty and poor sports. Again, I do not know where you get your information from, but maybe a little research would go a long way. Tintenbar have been coming second for practically the entire season, whereas Byron were running at about sixth place, making the game in question no threat whatsoever to either team losing the competition lead. The second goal for Byron Bay was scored in the second half under the poor light conditions.

This article is not a big deal. It is not a big story, and I'm sure it is of little interest to many. But it has seriously offended me and my clubmates, as Tintenbar-East Ballina is a good, fun, family club, and we don't need people thinking otherwise. It has also offended me because practically the whole story is complete with lies and exaggerations, and I think an apology is in order.

It makes me worry what other trash I read in your, and other newspapers, when I don't know the full story as I do in this circumstance.

Stacey Titley

• The Echo unreservedly apologises to the Tintenbar-East Ballina Soccer Club's over 35s and fourth division teams for any implication that the teams were poor sports. We deeply regret the error. However, The Echo stands by the core claim of the story - that referees were left feeling they had been threatened with legal action. - Editor.

Open letter to Lismore Council

I appreciate Council's prompt response to my inquiries regarding the demise of the fig tree on Invercauld Road (investigations ongoing) and the breakdown of expenditure in the pamphlet "Your rates at work" under the heading Enforcement and Street Lighting.

I mistakenly understood that expenditure of $29 to represent millions, but what it represents is $29 from an estimated average residential rate of $699 for 2002/2003.

I cannot correlate the 'average' figure of $699 for 2002/2003 with my rates for that period, which were $1,480.65.  How was that average figure arrived at? Even in 1995/1996, my rates were $923.85, well above the average of seven years later.

Also, "Your rates at work" lists 23 classifications of expenditure, but I could not interpret any as including monies spent on litigation. The 23 items all have a rate of costs, which add up to $699 in total.

Please identify which item includes litigation costs, and the amount incurred.

Germano Pagura
Goonellabah

War remembered

On behalf of the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Committee Inc. and Evans Head Flying Fun Group, I would like to thank all those people who attended and supported the 60th Anniversary VP Day memorial celebration at the Aerodrome on Sunday, August 14. Over 350 people came from far and wide to remember.

The Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome played a very significant role in WWII as part of the largest RAAF training facility built in Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme (fondly remembered as EATS) established in Australia, Canada and Rhodesia to train much-needed personnel for the Allied Command. The No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School (BAGS) and the No. 1 Air Observers School (AOS) trained an estimated 6000 men, who served in both Europe and the Pacific wars, mainly in bomber squadrons.

Of those men who trained at Evans Head, approximately 20 per cent were killed. This also represents 10 per cent of all Australian RAAF personnel killed during WWII. The Aerodrome itself is still largely as it was left after most of the buildings were removed immediately after the war. It is for all these reasons that the entire Aerodrome was listed on the NSW Heritage Register in 2002.

Veterans from the Base, locals, pilots and friends of the Aerodrome joined together to commemorate and celebrate the remarkable achievement and sacrifice of all those who served, worked, supported and trained at No. 1 BAGS and No. 1 AOS during the war and for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

To commemorate the fallen, hundreds of small Australian flags were planted in the ground next to the last remaining WWII Bellman Hangar, as well as a flag raising by RAAF personnel from the Bombing Range, a wreath laying and flypast by local pilots which brought a number of veterans close to tears. To celebrate, there were refreshments, a great display by the Evans Head Living Museum, people 'dressed up' in WWII uniforms from the Base, stories told and a re-enactment of the 'famous' August 15 1945 Evans Head truck ride by members of the Village Players.

The truck, piano, pianist and page turner from the Ballina area donated their time to help us out and to carry them round to sing and entertain. About 28 aircraft flew in from as far afield as Maitland, with a Ryan Trainer taking pride of place. These aircraft were used at the Base during the war.

There was to be a transport aircraft for flights and a WWII Avenger Torpedo Bomber but unfortunately the weather was against them and they couldn't make it. We are sorry they couldn't and also to those who were looking forward to seeing them, there will be another time.

So thank you all again for making this 60th Anniversary VP Day celebration so memorable, especially for those veterans who were able to attend. Lest We Forget.

Gai Taylor
Hon Sec, EH MAC
Lismore

Sell out

In the October 2004 elections the Greens obtained 7.2 per cent of the primary vote and ended up with zero seats. The Nationals got 5.9 per cent of the primary vote and finished with 12 seats. This of course is how the system works in Australia. We rely on preferential voting. Statistics can tell different stories. After nine years of Coalition government, 70 per cent of Australians still don't want Telstra sold off; 80 per cent of Queenslanders don't want it sold and a country/city comparison would probably show that less than 20 per cent of country people want private ownership. 

But do these statistics matter to Howard and his bunch of obedient, self-serving colleagues? Not one little bit. In the recent foray with Barnaby Joyce, Howard was forced into the position where he had to remind his troops that the ultimate loyalty of his members must be to the party. But Howard really meant loyalty to him, not the party and certainly not the Australian people.

Putting this aside, we have the deplorable saga of threats, lies and cajoling, all to achieve what? For Australians, who were foolish enough to invest in Telstra shares, they find they are now worth about 35 per cent less than what they were initially bought for. When has the Government ever put forward any convincing, logical, fact-based argument for the sale of Telstra? No once, not even from the treacherous Labor opposition, has there been a disciplined argument put for maintaining Telstra in government control. Telstra should never ever have been considered for sale.  Australians were all equal shareholders. It is a fundamental functioning part of the Australian governmental infrastructure. Under the Australian Constitution, Chapter I. Part V - Powers of the Parliament, Section 51: The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to: - (v) Postal, telegraphic, telephonic, and other like services. Nothing is more clear. The government is violating the Constitution, and one of its most essential powers. Once Telstra is sold off it will effectively lose control and its powers to regulate telecommunication services in Australia. Howard is determined to flog off Telstra at any cost. Telstra is already being run by a non-Australian. 

Sol Trujillo is presently pushing for less regulation. Once it has been privatised no amount of money will protect or ensure services. The principle of "commerce in confidence" will kick in, meaning that as a private enterprise, the corporation does not have to reveal its business decisions to the public. Also, once it becomes a full public company it can be sold off to anyone. The government will say they can maintain control and regulation through the licensing conditions for the various telecoms to operate within.  Sure, but there will be a limited control, as effectively these companies can do what they like. Look at the banks and how they have been "de-regulated." The other major argument against the sale of Telstra is purely common sense. What of the most important protection of our national interest. A country must ensure the efficient operations of its communication systems for reasons of domestic civility, commerce, national border security and ability to respond in cases of natural disaster or war.  Let's face it. The Libs consider everything is a business. Telstra is no different. They are selling out Australia.

John Jessup
Lismore

Heartfelt thanks

On behalf of the board of Heartfelt House I would like to thank the community for getting behind our working bee last Saturday at our new premises in the grounds of Summerland House With No Steps. The following organisations have been very generous and literally saved us thousands. G James Glass Lismore, Summercraft Northern Rivers, Alstonville Garden Centre, Melalueca Garden Supplies, Reece Plumbing Supplies Lismore, Bunnings Lismore, Hurfords Lismore and Ballina, Richmond River Waste, the Summerland House With No Steps Nursery, Ted Mueller Plumbing, Dale Smith Concrete Rendering, Alstyle Cabinets, Bilo Alstonville, Superior Steel Lattice Ballina, Kmart Ballina, Wollongbar Hire, and Lions and Apex Alstonville.

A huge heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped out on the day. It warmed my heart to see the place alive with people all working toward the common goal of providing a healing place for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. I personally feel very privileged that so many are willing to give up their own time to make a dream I have had for quite a while come true.

Thank you also to Terra from The Echo. As a result of the piece you ran we have reached many survivors and received various offers of help.

Without the support of the community Heartfelt House would not get off the ground so once again thank you to all, and please know that everyone who has supported us to date has contributed to the betterment of the life of a survivor.

Many thanks,

Vicki Hamilton
Director Heartfelt House

Extremes on all sides

Disturbingly, at the exact time Islamic leaders were meeting with John Howard, a senior cleric was issuing a televised edict inciting the murder of a democratically elected leader.

The August 22 call by US evangelist and political figure Pat Robertson for the assassination of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is the sort of unAustralian extremism we must make sure does not take root here.

The federal Government should investigate all Christian leaders to find out if they too have ever supported such terrorist activities as US policy towards Latin America. I'm sure the moderate mainstream ones will understand when we have to deport the extremists.

Nick Fredman
Lismore

Come in spinners

So Shane Warne has now taken 600 wickets, making him the world's greatest spinner. Or does it? Admittedly he has sent down two remarkable balls, one to dismiss Gatting, the other Strauss, but is he the best?

Consider John Howard, the master of 'the wrong-un' - the ball used to believe something which isn't true. Look at some of the beauties he has sent down.

1. Wrong-un? - "These boat people are monsters who throw their children into the sea, illegal queue jumpers". Truth: Asylum seekers fleeing regimes in Iraq and Afghanistan which Howard himself condemns.

2. Wrong-un? - "The war against Iraq was legal as it has ignored UN resolutions. Truth: If Iraq has ignored UN resolutions the UN, not the US, should decide on what action to take.

3. Wrong-un - "David Hicks will receive a fair trial." Truth: Not according to many distinguished legal practitioners.

4. This Wrong-un would rank up there with Warne's ball that bowled Gatting. "Our involvement in the Iraq War hasn't increased the likelihood of a terrorist attack on Australia. We have been a terrorist target before the invasion of Iraq." Yes, we were a target before the invasion, but that doesn't mean our involvement in that war hasn't increased the threat of a terrorist attack on us. Before 9/11 the only country under threat was the USA. They were attacked in Beirut, Nairobi, Yemen and Riyadh. When did we come under threat? When Howard backed America. Now we are obliged to spend enormous amounts to secure ourselves against attack, money which could be used to improve our health and education systems.

I suspect he is sending down wrong-uns on unemployment too. We are never told how many hours someone works a week before he is said to be employed or what he earns. We are probably facing a wrong-un over the Industrial Relations Bill too.

Let's hope by next election people have learnt how to pick Howard's wrong-uns and hit him for six so we can return to living in a caring democracy instead of the present Clayton's.

L Clarke
Ballina

Sugar to blame

Personally, I think that whether science and medicine say yay or nay about fluoride is not the point. To me, what's important is the fact that I personally don't tolerate fluoridation. Chlorination is bad enough, and I'd be right royally peeved if some nitwit fluoridated my water supply without my permission. Whether my reasons are scientifically proven is inconsequential; I wasn't born to worship science.

I'm 27 and was born and raised in Tamworth, which to my knowledge is still unfluoridated thankfully. During this time I've had a good number of carries and cavities filled in, with a number still floating around - I'll go to a dentist again only when I really have to! Oddly enough in those days I used A.D.A approved, leading brand conventional fluoride toothpaste. I'd hazard a guess that the modern bad diet of sugary junk food/soft drinks, and, at times, lax teeth cleaning regime helped things along a bit! My mother was actually born and raised in this area, Old Bonalbo, and would have gotten her full set of false teeth in her early thirties. This could be related to lack of fluoride, you never know? Either which way tough bickies - you're here to be ruled by nature, not live to 150 without an itch, scratch or bout of the common cold.

On a final note (thankfully!), the authorities could put a lot more resources into household water conservation and storage - especially water tanks. I'll take non-chlorinated, non-fluoridated rainwater over town anyday! (Until certain parties in their "wisdom" feel they have a right to chlorinate/fluoridate those!)

Maybe the golden oldies on council would like to help all the anti-fluoriders purchase water filters that can actually remove the fluoride, huh?

Grant Adams
Lismore

P.S. If people really want to put fluoride in their teeth they should just go and buy some fluoride toothpaste.

Sounds familiar

So here we go again. Dr Andrew Binns and John Irving, project manager of oral health (Echo letters, Aug 11) are beating the drums for fluoride to be added to our water.

Well we have had about 15 years since the last debate and nothing has changed. The same people are on the fluoride side and the rest of us against.

Has anyone thought about the coincidence of obesity in our young folk and the fact that few of them drink much water as well as eating a large amount of junk food?

Perhaps it would be a good idea to add the fluoride to something the young ones consume and leave the people who don't want fluoride in any of their food or drink.

We already have aluminium courtesy of our water filtration.

Also, if you brush your teeth and use a fluoride added toothpaste you get enough of the undesirable stuff.

So why not encourage our youngsters to eat the right food and clean their teeth after every meal.

Too hard, say the fluoride crowd, let's get everyone where they can't dodge it and to hell with those who would like to drink pure water only.

It is only a few weeks since I threw out a folder of information from the last debate.

I felt sure we would be safe from that, but no, the fluoride guys must be going through my garbage.

Ros Irwin must be congratulated for following up on this.

It's easy to see why oral health want it in the water.

And our government will not fund a dental program so maybe they are in favour of it, who knows.

We all should know by now how governments get us into more strife than we bargain for, not to mention broken promises.

Enough for now, wake up Lismore.

RJ Lemon
Lismore