Issue 740
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Letters To The EditorDental Health Needs FundsRecent publicity in local papers regarding the difficulties encountered by people on low incomes when trying to access Health Department Dental Services for urgent dental work makes depressing reading. Even more dispiriting when one considers that usually the best that can be offered is an extraction as opposed to repair work which would be available to the better resourced in our society. The parlous state of the Health Departments Dental Services is partly related to one of the early initiatives of the Federal Health Department on gaining office - the total withdrawal of funds from Rural and Regional Dental Services. The orthern Rivers Social Development Council, which is concerned with ensuring that all people in our community get access to proper dental care would hope that the next Federal Government will restore funding to dental services. We would be interested to hear from all candidates how they plan to support the Northern Rivers Area on this issue. The waiting lists for service are a disgrace and would not be tolerated in metropolitan areas. This is no reflection on the local services, which are simply over-whelmed by the needs of the community. Pat Martyn, Secretary Click here to comment on this letter.
Youth CrimeNever before have I read a story that made me laugh as much as the article on page 14 by Terra Sword (Echo, Oct 3). Just today, (Friday) my workmates and I were hassled all day by a large group of Goonellabah youths who were simply up to no good all day. In the end I had to ring the police who made a brief drive past the school but never actually stopped to make any enquiries (as they know it is a total waste of time as these children are too young and their hands are tied). Finally, when they came back a third time and threw sticks at us and dropped their pants, we called security, but by the time security got there it was too late as they had attacked the milk truck and were hanging off it as it drove down the hill. On speaking to the security officer we discovered that the youths had been hassling the people at the old folks home as well. Twice I had to yell at a young lad as he was caught trying the doors of my car, which had been broken into on the previous Wednesday at about 5.30pm just before the school concert. The article states that only 1.5 per cent of young children go before the courts, well that is because these children are too young to charge. It is a shame when the first question the police ask is about their age as they know that they can do nothing. But what is worse is that the children know that they can do nothing either. I work with children and it is my job to protect these children until they are picked up by the parent. Today I had to lock them in the hall as they were being attacked with sticks, and there was nothing I could do about this because of the useless law that is designed to protect the guilty but screws the innocent. I guess that you are saying that these children have not broken a law, well assault is, and they are breaking society rules and guidelines, which will lead to where. The poor police they are unable to help. I have heard the youths tell the police to get back in their cars and *iss off and that is exactly what happens. In my day, the fear of a size 10 in the butt fixed that. Just the other day the same group of children (and it is very tempting to name them) were out the front of the McDermott Ave flats hassling a tenant and smashing bottles. The police came, they left, the gang remained. I don't know about the forum being a bit of a reality check, but rather the forum needs a bit of a reality check. You may be fooling yourselves and most of the reading population, but boy you do nothing for the people of Goonellabah but make us wonder when this is going to be dealt with and not pushed under the carpet any longer. You take a drive up some of the Goonellabah streets and have a look. They are disgusting, just trashed. When is the council and housing department going to clean up this estate? It is so depressing living in this neighbourhood, but it is such a slum that I cannot sell my house to escape. Come on Housing Department, do something. You drive around the housing estate of Sherman Drive and Campbell Cres and they have lovely little houses with terrific fences and clean streets, a pleasure to the eyes. Get yourself over to the other side and work some magic and give us a fair go. But is not just the Housing Department. Did you know that the street sweeper has been along our street twice this year and that the drain near me has been blocked for three years now and that I am sick of reporting it. I can't wait for it to flood my house. Then I will sue the council. So please don't print things like that in the paper when they are obviously not covering both sides of the story. You may say that crime is down and we would all love to hear that. But to say that it is exaggerated, well all I can say is that you people are blessed to live in a much happier neighbourhood than mine. Try living on this side of the fence for a month. Try dealing with the fact that your young child has to ring 000 on Friday night to have a drunk removed from the front verandah, because I have three children and was not game enough to upset him as I was home alone, then the very next night the same again, it is not great. Believe me youth crime is not overexaggerated, not when you live in the middle of it, and it really makes me sad when all those lovely smiling faces stand there and say isn't everything great, when in fact none of them would be residents of the Housing Department area on the Jubilee Ave side. This is rubbish and us citizens want action and help, not it swept under the carpet because it is not going away it is getting worse. I would love you to publish this to encourage others to write to you and see how many other people believe that it is not exaggerated. Name withheld on request Click here to comment on this letter.
Memorial RededicationThe City of Lismore RSL Sub-branch is anxious to contact the relatives of those diggers from WW2 and post-WW2 conflicts whose names are listed on the Lismore War Memorial. The sub-branch wishes to extend an invitation to the relatives to attend the re-dedication ceremony of the refurbished memorial on Saturday, March 2, 2002. It would be appreciated if relatives could register their interest in attending by contacting the Sub-branch secretary on 6621 3851. Wilson McClelland Click here to comment on this letter.
Disease ThreatBecause of two widely covered and recent media articles, I feel compelled to reply to recent statements by David Estreich of Lismore and Tom Cooper of Bonalbo. Estreich and Cooper both wrote tirades to this paper accusing asylum seekers of many things. One of these things was that the asylum would bring lots of nasty little microbes to our shores. Estreich and Cooper said in their letters that because of this supposed threat we shouldn't help asylum seekers. A good excuse they say to forbid the asylum seekers into Australia, or let them flounder at sea. Now, my point is this. Should we exclude all immigrants and tourists from the USA. Because not only is deadly anthrax being contracted, but also the Black Death (plague). This information comes from various disease research facilities in Britain. Among them is Bartholomew's Hospital and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. It says that all it took in 1992 to kill a vet in Colorado USA with the plague was a sneeze from a cat he was handling. Sounds weird but true. So, I say to Messrs Estreich and Cooper, if there's a chance of one person in a few hundred asylum seekers having a threatening disease, what about the potential of one of the thousands of weekly arrivals from the USA bringing in some virulent vacationing viruses. Estreich loves quoting facts in his letters about asylum seekers, so how about replying to the ones above? At least I haven't made them up or exaggerated them. Frosty Grego Click here to comment on this letter.
Vote MinorMayor Bob Gates of Lismore knows the north coast of NSW is now being noticed in Canberra. Three marginal electorates in this region will possibly decide the next Government. Whichever of the major parties you prefer, a vote for minor parties will keep both major parties on their toes. The bigger the shock the more this area will be noticed nationally and maybe our share of Commonwealth expenditure will be spent locally. At present the Federal Government is the major donor to political parties and we are talking multi-millions. Voting for minor parties as a first preference diverts funds from the major parties. Spreading some to minor parties like the Greens will mean better debate and more intelligence in Government decisions. When you vote you can make a statement by putting the major parties last. The Green party has excellent local candidates with experience and passion. Without the backing of big bucks their voice at the table is being silenced. Bob Brown is Australia's most sincere and honest pollie, let's put a few more on the perch. John Corkill in Page, Jan Barham in Richmond and Jillian Cranny in Cowper outshine the hacks from the major parties. Come November let Canberra know we expect more. David McInnes-King Click here to comment on this letter.
Maverick ManSo the National Party member for Page thinks he's a bit of a maverick. Is this the same maverick who voted for the GST, who voted for an additional $150 million for Australia's 58 most elite private schools at the expense of state school funding and who also voted for the full sale of Telstra? Seems to me that Ian Causley is just another Liberal/National voting hack in Canberra. Bob Katter is a maverick and believe me, Ian, you're no Bob Katter. John Porritt Click here to comment on this letter.
Afghani RealityAustralian politicians are running an election 'getting on with the job.' Meanwhile Afghanistan is being bombed, civilians are being killed by the American/UK military strike. The Australian politicians of both parties fully support the bombing endangering both civilians and hospitals. These politicians are only concerned with winning an election. Is political victory more important than facing up to what is really happening in Afghanistan? Christine Russell Click here to comment on this letter.
Bureaucracy BattleSome 16 months ago the Ballina Council employed a new general manager. His contract stated he was accountable to the Mayor and the Council. Since his appointment, he has been busy churning out policy documents, instead of revving the shire up so it really functions. As a result, he has successfully reversed the power base by usurping the power of councillors and stripping them of their democratic rights under both statue and common law. The latest policy is called 'Provision of information to and interaction between Councillors and Staff'. The policy objectives are to provide adequate training on the need for the policy and its requirements (no doubt, at your expense) and to provide appropriate sanctions for non-compliance. The function of the mayor is to approve the general manager's annual leave, and the function of a councillor is to facilitate communication between the community and the council. But with a council that has already gone underground with almost everything, including the cheque book, I'm in breach before I get past the first clause! Under the policy, if a councillor and a staff member talk about Council business while they are enjoying a quiet little drink at a social event a thousand miles from Ballina, such serious policy breach must immediately be reported to the general manager. The staff member is to be counselled, disciplined or sacked. The councillor is to be counselled, reprimanded, censured or, wait for it, publicly exposed in the media. But haven't I been there, done that, seen it all before? With staff morale running at an all time low, why on earth did the councillors let the general manager put this one across them? And why don't the staff bring in the unions? Will the next policy bring in the secret police? Have we got a bunker anywhere in Berlina (sic), because isn't it the councillors responsibility to set policy, not the general manager? Cr Margaret Howes Click here to comment on this letter.
Third VillageRegarding the future of the third village, there is one very important issue that needs to be clarified about the Ballina Council's vote. I believe that the plateau farming community deserve the right to run their business investment strategies secure in the knowledge that council won't be resuming their properties in ten years time. As a consequence of council's each-way bet, land managers won't have that security. The only guarantee they have is that re-investigation will be written into council's ten year plan. I voted for the decision to be final, hoping to bring confidence into the rural landowners future. In this case I certainly got a lop-sided message from the public, and it wasn't to 'leave the door open' as I heard it. To do that would be anything but 'responsible' if you're fair dinkum about responding to community concerns. Cr Alan Rich Click here to comment on this letter.
Petrol PricesOn July 16 we wrote to the Service Stations Association seeking the Association's policy on retail petrol pricing. There has not been a response. On July 9 reader's attention was drawn to the considerable difference in retail prices (ULP) comparing Ballina with Evans Head and Broadwater (Ballina being dearer). Petrol prices have again risen in Ballina. On September 10, retail prices of ULP rose by up to 9 cents per litre in Warwick and on the September 10 by up to 7 cents in Toowoomba. It is amazing how the price of petrol held in underground tanks (at Service Stations) has the ability to appreciate in value so rapidly! Don Hains Click here to comment on this letter.
Whose BoatThe Management Committee resolved that a letter be written seeking a correction to an error that was printed in The Echo's (Sept 6) story 'Riverbank funds boost'. '... and the Richmond River Historical Society has donated a 1932 ketch, The Rainbow, worth $10,000.' The ketch is not the property of the Richmond River Historical Society. It was donated by Mr Peter Jones, who happens to be a member of the Society. This may be how the misunderstanding occurred. EM Trudgeon Click here to comment on this letter.
Peace Is The WayOn Sunday, September 30, over 300 people took the opportunity to come together on a beautiful Spring day and in a wonderful space at Lismore Heritage Park, to show their support for peace following the recent dramatic events in America. Those attending came from Lismore, Kyogle, Casino, Ballina and their surrounding villages, Woodburn, Sydney, Tweed Heads and Byron Bay to join others at this gathering organised by a newly formed group 'People Uniting for Peace' whose theme is 'There is no way to Peace. Peace is the way'. Speakers representing local Christian religious denominations, the Muslim, Bahai, Buddhist, Ananda Marga and Jewish faiths, local men's and women's groups, the Bundjalung Aboriginal community and a youth representative, united together under a Peace Banner and presented their messages of peace. The gathering also featured vocal and choral musical items and after a peace dance performed by Melissa Rubbo, the audience were encouraged to place their symbols of peace - flowers, poems, ribbons, candles, cards, photos and prayers on a pedestal for Peace. Petitions were signed by over 150 people, T-shirts were popular and others left their names and addresses with the committee indicating that they are interested in being involved in future peace activities or oganising peace groups in their areas. A big thank you to the Lismore City Council, Chris Allen, the Lismore City Hall, Sound Solutions, Noah's Arc Book Shop and Pegasus Printing for giving their services and goods free of charge - an indication of their support for this event. People who attended also gave generously towards future activities. Barbara Worthington Click here to comment on this letter.
A Chance For PeaceI would like to express how heartened I felt by the recent peace gathering in Heritage Park, last Sunday, September 30th. Instead of the mounting tension and threat of war surrounding the awaited military attack on Afghanistan, this event illustrated on a local level that it is possible for us as a community to work towards a peaceful, yet effective stand against terrorism. Representatives of diverse faiths: Christian, Muslim, and Judaism spoke against terrorist activity and affirmed that the foundations of all these religions is peace, not aggression. The event also illustrated how men facing violence in their behaviour are able to come to terms with and find less aggressive ways of communicating. May we take heart that we can move together peacefully to overcome our differences. For further information on 'Peace is the way' activities, contact Sabina Baltruit on 6688 6214. Sarah Dunk Click here to comment on this letter.
Soup KitchenI have several things I want to say about what has been happening in relation to the Lismore Soup Kitchen. There has been an unnecessary element of fear that has sprung up in the community about the Soup Kitchen. I feel really saddened that some people in the community have lost the ability to care about each other. I feel that the Soup Kitchen is a place of love and compassion. They don't care whether you talk differently, look different, are rich or poor, they just accept you as you are. When I came to the North Coast, I had already spent a good many years in Melbourne where I experienced a lot of intolerance due to my emotional disability and had a very dysfunctional background, which included mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. I spent two years living at the Breathconnection community where I did a lot of healing work on myself. Then I came to Lismore to live I found the spiritual home I had been searching for. I found love for me as a person and I found Christ truly for the first time in my life (even though I had believed in him on and off since I was 12). I feel that the people of the North Coast are more accepting of people who are a bit different. I pray that we as a community do not lose our compassion for each other because we are in danger of losing it if we are not careful and that would be a great tragedy to the Lismore Community if that were to happen. I remember a man who was treated as an outcast by some. Yet he loved the sick, the poor, the rich, the downhearted and sinners. He still does love us all! His name is Jesus! P.S. Thank you to the mystery donor/s who left four large Grace boxes filled with cups etc recently. You have brought a great blessing to us here at the Soup Kitchen. Helen Click here to comment on this letter.
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