| Letters - 04 January 2005 |
| These cards are a real waste |
|
|
| DUNDEE CITY Council is quite rightly proud of its schemes for recycling waste. Where I live we have a normal black bin, plus a blue one for paper and a brown one for garden waste. |
| I read in the Tele an appeal by the council for people to use their blue bins for the mountain of paper that most people accumulate at Christmas.
I also received a card, detailing the dates my blue bin would be uplifted in 2005 and praising Dundonians for the amount of paper waste collected this year.
So far so good.
However, in my part of Craigiebank our last uplift was in November. Normally it would be emptied again on December 28. Presumably, because of holidays this did not happen and our next uplift is not until the end of January. My bin is already full.
There is always the option of taking the paper we now accumulate to a recycling centre.
But this will not be an option for many in an area with a large proportion of elderly people.
And guess what — the same thing will happen again this December.
It can’t be case of money as our black bin was emptied on December 27 and the card was delivered on Sunday, December 26.
Secondly, I will get another card detailing when our brown bin is to be uplifted in due course. Why two cards? This is hardly friendly to the environment.
Thirdly, is the fact that it is a card, which, according to the council, cannot be recycled through the blue bin scheme. In previous years it came on paper, which is easily disposed and presumably cheaper.
If Dundee City Council wants its residents to think more about recycling waste, it should start with a close look at its own practices. — Recycler.
|
| Staff tried to help |
|
|
|
| WITH REFERENCE to the letter from B.C. of Monifieth concerning the payments of pensions, the Post Office has no jurisdiction over when payments are made.
This is dictated by the Department of Work and Pensions (who act on behalf of the Government). We are merely their agents.
It is true to say when a public holiday crops up two payments were made.
However, this practice will cease come April when all payments will be made by direct credit.
This new practice has left post office counters in a serious financial position and could lead to the closure of many offices.
The problem with the computer system being faulty was a national problem and also affected some banks.
However, the problem was intermittent and the front-line staff were virtually powerless, but tried their utmost to assist people. — Tony Sneddon, CWU C&CS Assistant Secretary, Scot 5 .
|
| Great chance for Blair and Bush |
|
|
|
| WITH SO many thousands dying in one of the worst natural tragedies the world has ever seen, and at this particular time of year, would it not be a great opportunity for Tony Blair and George Bush to withdraw the coalition forces from Iraq?
They could then be replaced by UN peace keeping forces.
In spite of the criticism, the UN has done a great job.
With all their failings they are only as strong as the support they get from wealthy nations.
There are many successes attributable to the UN and they remain the major, if not the only, hope for the international community.
May the spirit of justice be with those who rule. — W. McCormack, Symers Street, Dundee.
|
| Looking for 51st veterans |
|
|
|
| I AM writing a history of 51st (Highland) Division during the Second World War, which will be published by Spellmount in 2006.
As part of my research I am keen to contact veterans who served in the Highland Division or who were attached to it at any time.
I would also welcome contact from the families of Highland Division soldiers who lost their lives during the war or who have since died.
What I seek are personal memories, letters that may have been written during the war, photographs and other memorabilia as these will add a more human touch to my history.
Documents, photographs and other items lent to me will be scanned and returned as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from many of your readers. — Richard Doherty, 27 Hillview Avenue, Prehen, Co Londonderry, BT47 2NU.
|
| Photos not in deal |
|
|
|
| I READ the letter by S. Mitchell (December 27), regarding power sharing in Northern Ireland and the decommissioning of IRA weapons.
All decommissioning is supervised by General John De Chastelain.
In the past, internationally-recognised figures have confirmed previous acts of decommissioning.
No part of the 1998 Good Friday agreement states photographs must be provided.
Dr Ian Paisley was invited to be one of the two clergymen who could have witnessed the final act of putting weapons beyond use. But as usual he prevaricated. — B.D.
|
| Fight BT all the way |
|
|
|
| THOSE INTERNET scams where people are robbed if they press a key on an ad that ends up causing a charge for some service are downright robbery.
The Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission, sides with myself and countless others who refused to pay the added-on charges in our bills.
Telus the Canadian telephone company was overruled and told as it owns and controls the phone lines it is responsible for the charges that allows overseas criminal organisations to operate online scams whereby the phone company is collecting money for these criminals and thieves.
I’d advise the person who is a BT customer to fight them all the way. In Canada, any company that has a monopoly must be held responsible for their equipment.
Telus have put in systems to protect their customers from theft and robbery online, BT should be forced to do so as well. — Spartacus.
|
| Researching family tree |
|
|
|
| I AM researching my family tree and am trying to find out if anyone knows of Thomas Thomson and Janet Falconnor/Falkner who married in Dundee in the 1840s?
I am also interested in anyone with any ghost or supernatural tales of Dundee. — Iain Hogan, c/o 63 Marloch Avenue, Port Glasgow.
|
| THE ADDRESS for readers’ letters is - Readers’ Page, Evening Telegraph, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. They can also be placed in our post box at our offices in Albert Square, Dundee, emailed to us on letters@eveningtelegraph.co.uk or faxed on 01382 454590. We ask correspondents using a nom-de-plume or sending by e-mail to provide a name and address for reference purposes. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit any letter. Please keep letters as short as possible.* |
| email |
|
