Issue 803

Letters To The Editor

Rous Concerns Handled Badly

In an article on Rous Water (Echo, Dec 20) I was wrongly quoted.

As well, comments made to me by a fellow Councillor, who is a member of Rous Water, suggests that my position on the unfortunate public debate between Rous and Lismore Council has either been misunderstood or distorted.

To clarify my position, I did not say that legal advice on the purchase of Perradenya did not exist. I said that I later discovered, when a copy was finally sent to Lismore Council, that it did not say what I had been led to believe it said. Briefly, Rous Councillors were told that the legal advice said such a purchase was legal when what it really seemed to say was ‘if you think it's legal, it's legal'. That doesn't seem to me like solid legal advice.

As a member of Rous Water for eight years, I supported most of the decisions made by that Council, including ones that Lismore Council staff have questioned, and I still believe that those decisions were appropriate. At the time I also supported investigation of the feasibility of a single water authority, which was a position advocated and pursued by Rous Water. Now I'm not so sure.

My concern with Rous is in its response to what seem to be perfectly legitimate questions raised by Lismore Council about some of Rous' high profile and substantial property acquisitions and other ventures. To me accountability means that Rous should be prepared to address concerns raised by any stakeholder, whether it be a single water user that it supplies direct or a large stakeholder like Lismore Council, whose ratepayers contribute about
$1.5 million a year to Rous' coffers.

Rous chose not to follow the path of negotiation and open discussion, which ended up in an unfortunate public brawl more reminiscent of dogs marking their territories than of adults negotiating complex and important relationships. That the majority of Lismore Councillors did not support the right of their ratepayers to have answers to legitimate questions itself raises questions as to whose interests
are a priority with them.

To me, this is a sad example of the only outcomes of win-lose confrontations, with both organisations in fact losing. Goodwill, cooperation and preparedness to be open and accountable always achieve much better outcomes.

Cr Ros Irwin
Lismore

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Firies Thanks

While local authorities ponder which is the most appropriate way to 'thank' our Rural Fire Service, SES and all other Emergency Service personnel and agencies, for a job well done throughout the year, and particularly over the Christmas / New Year period, the populace are invited to a Service of Thanksgiving at the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Base, February 24, commencing 2.30pm.

Invitations have been extended to the Hon Bob Debus, MP (Minister for Emergency Services), and Mr Phil Koperberg (RFS Commissioner), and all Emergency Service agencies along with our elected Federal, State, and local government leaders.

Advice as to the availability of Mr Debus and Koperberg, is still outstanding, however, the Service will proceed as planned by the Service Chaplains and Pastoral Care Team from St Vincent's Hospital, Lismore.

The service is a Christian celebration, and a way of expressing the community's appreciation, for acts of extreme generosity and hindness in time of need, as well as a time to just meet and greet all the emergency personnel, so often forgotten, soon after the drama ends.

Volunteers, who perform these tasks, often only expect a simple thank you. No more. No Less

Graeme R Davis
Goonellabah

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Lake History

I have it on good authority that Lismore Lake, prior to being excavated in the 1970s for fill to build up the road to Casino, was in fact a natural swamp used by water birds!

Two well-known members of our community clearly remember this fact. One of them told me that he and his mates, on their way to school about seventy years ago, all took an interest in the Black Swan that was visible, sitting on her nest in that swamp.

No-one can blame Mayor Gates for being an opportunist and turning the deepened depression into a water sports area, but many people now think differently about the environment and want to protect what is still left to us. The wheel has turned full circle Bob. Lismore Lake is back to what it meant to be, a place for he birds. Let it be!

Molly Crawford
Goonellabah

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Dope Laws

Why do Cannabis laws vary from state to state?

For instance in SA and ACT, it is legal to cultivate cannabis for personal use, is that because a lot of politicians live and raise their children there and they don't want their names tarnished, and no criminal record! Or is it just a special privilege of some? I think it's all very corrupt myself. In the very first chapter of he Bible, Genesis 1 verse 29. 'God said Behold I have given you every Herb bearing seed which is upon the face of the all the Earth.'

Why then is Man trying to ban that which God said is good! It is not just sacred cannabis either that these powermongers are wanting to ban. Comfrey, which is a very good herb traditionally used to treat broken bones, fractures, bruises, adding nitrogen to compost etc. has also come under threat. Let's take a deeper look why such a great herb, harmless as it is, must be taken away. Well funnily enough, comfrey is also a great lung clearer hence people might use it when giving up cigarettes or tobacco (very dangerous for health). Therefore the tobacco companies with their chemical ridden cancer sticks don't like the good old comfrey along with other herbs that might threaten their wealth and power status.

Cannabis isn't a drug – it's a natural herb. Therefore cannabis, unlike drugs, which are synthetically made by man or derived from plant sources – such as heroin and cocaine, do not belong in the same category.

Cannabis is medically prescribed to patients now for to relieve cancer sufferers, people with arthritis are benefiting from taking the herb to relieve pain and discomfort. It's also really good for night vision glaucoma among other serious conditions and ailments that can't be cured. So is it really that bad, or is it just a misconception?

Now moving on to hemp, a distant cousin to cannabis. Having virtually no THC levels, it isn't used remedially but rather grown for the hemp fibre (thus distinguishing the two apart from each other). Hemp was actually legal up to around the 1930s. The first pair of Levi Jeans were made of hemp. It is a very strong fibre, used to make rope, ship sails, clothing paper and even fuel. It is very useful indeed and, unlike cotton, doesn't need chemical fertilisers to grow and yield a crop. Therefore it's environmentally sound.

The hypocrisy of all the big brother chemical, pharmaceutical and tobacco companies for their own selfish gain is the real problem, because they don't care about our health do they? Thank God, He is in control and has given us the herbs for our benefit.

PS – I must add that I don't smoke cannabis, so this isn't biased.

Carla Eldin
Nimbin

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Harry Joy?

I am worried since the publication of Mr Grego's letter (Echo, Jan 17) that I am going to be bored with another plague of unoriginal debate about Jesus is the son of God who died for our salvation – no he isn't – yes he is.

I am no more Christian than Lennonian (sic). I see the man Jesus as a born leader who was wholly committed to peace and love and increasing the value of all people. The Old Testament attitude of ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' will eventually render the world full of blind people who can't even masticate. His ‘Golden Rule' slogan is childlike in simplicity. His teachings were not original but already being practised by Brahmins, Taoists and other schools of Eastern philosophy. When put to action by leaders like Ghandi and Martin Luther King and their heroic followers, this political strategy proved effective. They were all mortals and they mostly got strung up and shot in the name of love, but love is not dead and I don't see how your experience in hospital or egotistical horn tooting bears any comparison to their courage or tolerance, Mr Grego.

I wish Jesus would come back and chat with Mr Ruddock.

Mr Grego, I wish that you would use your ‘shamanic' life and death experiences to teach us something new. Stoning Christians is so passé. I agree with the guy who said that once you have an answer for everything it's time to realise you know nothing.

I throw my hat into this ring in the hope that if there is another barrage of preaching breaking on The Echo's horizon that it will at least be one that will help illuminate the dark climate of prejudice and hostility currently bursting from every strata of the political spectrum.

And consider your wrists slapped, Mr Grego for ‘impersonating' the evangelists you despise by glorifying death and erecting this silly soapbox that you know they will be preaching from again this week. There's a little hypocrite hiding in each of us. Where would you be if they didn't exist? Happy yet?

R Young
South Lismore

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Fair Share

It was with some pleasure and perhaps a sense of irony (in light of the Coalition government's 2001 federal election campaign) that I have just received my Australia Day greeting from Wal Murray and Co. real estate agents. I always knew that a second verse to our national anthem existed, but had never known the words. Now it is obvious that refugees from various war-torn parts of the world have always known the second verse, particularly the third line: 'For those who've come across the sea, we've boundless plains to share'.

Martin Elphinstone
Lismore

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Dogma Myth

In reply to Frosty Grego Letter titled 'Bah humbug' (Echo, Jan 17). I must say that I agree with Frosty in his disbelief in a god or gods. God or gods are all part of ancient mythology.

However Frosty's vision in a death experience of a brilliant boiling red and orange like a close up of the sun, gives the god gospellers (those who believe in Jesus, alias Christians) an ideal opportunity to respond by saying that; You have been reprieved from the very doorway of hell, and you have been given another chance to repent and accept this Jesus (another myth) into your life. They say the same thing of unbelievers who return from death and who experienced being in a tunnel travelling towards a brilliant white light.

This bright light of course is the 'angel of light' and from scripture writings is 'Lucifer' himself, so they say. If you are a believer then this road to light is a view of heaven itself. It is recorded that Astronauts who are very fit and healthy individuals, also suffer what is known as 'near death experiences' in their early training in advanced acceleration tests and subjecting their bodies to unnatural forces.

Have they been to hell and back? The many apologists of the god gospellers have had many centuries in the common era to hone their craft of deception and have mislead millions of people.

Any reader who may be interested in my letter should view my web page titled 'Escape The Dogma' at www.geocities.com/inexileau/

Jim Lee
Alstonville

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All Pollies Equal

I would sincerely like to thank you publicly through your paper for the opportunity to have my say during the Federal Election.

As a candidate for One Nation, I was very pleased with my outcome.

We as candidates do not have the funding like other parties to advertise to the extremes that some do. We have to pay for all our own expenses and hope to gain over the 4% required from the Electoral commission for a percentage back.

Now that the dust has settled and I have finally found the time to write, once again my appreciation for treating us all equally.

It has been stated by a minority to me that they were not given a fair go. I guess some people will never be happy, no matter what.

I also question why people wait until an election is called wanting to know policies, writing letters and expecting an answer immediately. At this time of an election I do not have a secretary to answer every request in two weeks. I am busy reorganising my time and media releases. Why do they not buy the papers and access the Internet?

Marie Matthew
South Grafton

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Pigeons Disappear

Can someone explain what is slowly killing-off or deterring the once prolific domesticated pigeon population?

In just five years since moving to the Lismore district, and regularly visiting the town, I have witnessed the demise of this quite innocent riverside dwelling species.

No raptors (birds of prey) have been observed taking them, no-one has reported foxes in the town, and wild dogs couldn't climb the bridge to get up to their concealed nests high in steel RSJs.

All that these ‘rock' or domestic pigeons eat is not even researched in detail, but during shop trading hours they used to be commonplace, taking crumbs outside certain stores that sell foodstuffs or takeaways.

As a result of studying the remnant local pigeon population, and seeing them purposefully forage under certain Camphor Laurel trees, I have formed the tentative theory that even this pigeon will die out there.

Surely toddlers and young kids have a right of some sort to enjoy chasing pigeons in a park somewhere? Apparently not so in Lismore.

The sooner LCC develop an environmental policy against Camphor Laurel trees the better off we will all be, especially if the legal principal known as The Precautionary Principal is invoked.

It is high time Lismore City Council acted against these largely toxic Camphor Laurel trees, even if it's 60 years since they were killing our wildlife!

Joe A Friend
The Channon

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River Plan

Remember the floods, which brought deoxygenated water with rotting vegetation that smells like raw sewerage to Ballina, and killed all the fish in the Richmond? Remember how the river was closed for months at a time and you couldn't go fishing? Remember how the tourism industry was ruined for quite a long spell and the impact on our local economy?

Currently on exhibition is a document entitled 'Evans River Estuary Management Study and Plan'. The final draft plan has been kept exceptionally quiet by the Richmond Valley Council; in fact so quiet that it did not even send a copy to Ballina Shire Council for comment.

It is all about embracing the pristine natural state of the Evans River. It admits 'The plan is designed to be a dynamic document'.

Since early last century the Evans River has been used for alleviating floods in the Richmond. Suggestions are made in this draft plan about closing off the Tuckombil canal at Woodburn, which acts as a spillway for the Richmond. If the spillway is closed, there is possibility of even greater flooding in Ballina. With Ballina Island's older homes constructed at a very low height datum, the closure of this spillway could have a devastating impact.

This draft plan of management has now been acquired by Ballina Shire Council. I urge all residents to familiarise themselves with the document and put in a submission before the closing date which is, I believe, February 8.

Margaret Howes
Lennox Head

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Poetry Corner

Australia Day
(Reflections, 2002)

by Lyn Lockrey

‘Twas more than a sunburnt country last year,
Or a land of mountains and plains.
Fires ravaged our land causing havoc, fear.
Through bushlands dried from no rains.
It'd burnt before' ‘twas the largest for years.
As the winds, the firestorms and heat
Threatened the heroes, the brave volunteers,
Saving houses, lives and a street.
They came from all states of this land we love,
To help many folk in distress.
They couldn't stand by when mates got the shove
From their houses, now grey ashen mess.
The pilots, the police, the 'firies' and all,
They battled through Christmas, New Year.
When the flames died down, without a smoke pall,
They could rest, be praised far and near.
We stand by each other in times like this,
As some search ‘mongst ashes and cry.
Arms round a shoulder don't go amiss,
Anyway we can help, we will try.
Mateship in hardship is trademark, you know,
Of the people in this great land.
For thousands of years in the fire and snow
The first people lived hand in hand.
They cherished and cared for this land they owned
And they knew how to patchwork burn.
It renewed the bush that animals roamed,
Replenished each part in its turn.
It's more than mateship we need in our world,
‘Cause it's 'changed forever', they say.
The barbie, the beer and the flag unfurled
Aren't enough for Australia Day.
It's a bigger challenge we face these days,
For our country is only part
Of a larger stage where we act in plays.
To change it, we must make a start.
The global chant rings quite loud in our ears
And the corporate giant rules the wave.
Global warming, poverty, greed and wars,
From such wrongs, our world we must save.
It starts in the heart of each one who stands
For love, care and justice and peace;
These refocus our head, our heart and our hands.
To a world in pain, bring release.
As we look ahead this Australia Day,
The test of our lives will become;
Did we help to change our country today?
Will we hear at the end, God's, 'Well done'?

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Letters To The Editor

Rous Concerns Handled Badly

Firies Thanks

Lake History

Dope Laws

Harry Joy?

Fair Share

Dogma Myth

All Pollies Equal

Pigeons Disappear

River Plan

Poetry Corner

Australia Day (Reflections, 2002)

Australia Day
(Reflections, 2002)