| Letters - 28 March 2005 |
| Fed up with “Del Boy” gimmicks |
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| I RECEIVED two letters last week — one about a small rise in my pension and the other about a larger rise in my Council Tax. |
| My wife and I tried for Pension Credit but, after means testing, were refused.
The reason for this was that during our working life we paid into a small work pension and also saved a little for our retirement.
The result, of course, is that we will be worse off and will have to use our savings just to survive.
Come the election we will be voting for Michael Howard. He is going to give every pensioner over 65 who pays Council Tax a 50% rebate.
Also he is going to scrap means testing and give every pensioner a decent rise on the basic money.
I am sick fed up of “Del Boy” type gimmicks. — Harsh Lesson.
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| Lived with meters |
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| I READ the OAP’s letter regarding water meters with amazement.
What is wrong with paying for the water you use as against paying fixed (and rising) charges per household regardless of the amount used?
We have lived with gas and electricity meters for generations.
It is true that water charges rose in England after privatisation, but the installation of meters ensured that charges were reduced to the level of consumption.
In the Anglia area meters were installed free of charge by the company. Members of my family live in Suffolk and they are not afraid to turn on taps and do not share baths.
The incessant rise in Council Tax is a bigger worry in that area.
Meanwhile, there is little chance of water meters being installed in Scotland. Scottish Water will see to that.
They would not like to see any reduction in self-awarded generous salaries (and bonuses) from the effect of declining revenues. — R. F.
I READ that two councillors want water meters in Dundee homes. Why? Water is necessary for everybody.
What about people who are on low incomes or on State benefits?
Look at some of the water companies in England who seem only interested in making a profit.
Leave well alone. Things should stay as they are. — Water User.
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| Every reason to trust courts |
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| I READ the letter about the doctor, who downloaded child pornography.
I too read the coverage of the court case and feel the parent is judging purely on what was reported.
I am sure the judge and General Medical Council ruled on the case with all the facts and background reports at their disposal.
To try to compare the case to “someone selling cannabis” is wrong. The two offences are in very different categories.
The doctor is now not allowed to work with minors. However, there are significant other streams of medicine he can practice.
Our courts are there for a reason and I feel they have acted in the best way possible.
If this person was a threat to anyone, that would have been evident. The sentence passed reassures me this person is not a threat.
I have every reason to trust the courts. — Angry Student.
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| Cost of tickets |
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| I PHONED the ticket office at Dundee’s Caird Hall to book ten briefs for the 60s show on April 16. I could not believe they are charging £21 and £19.
Needless to say we are not going. My friends and I go to every 60s show possible and we have never seen a sell-out.
Will the powers-that-be not realise the more they charge the fewer tickets they sell? It would be better to fill the Caird Hall giving the concert and artistes a real buzz. — Disappointed 60s Fans.
[A spokeswoman for Dundee City Council’s leisure and arts department said, “This is a national tour and prices are set by the promoter.
“Sales for the show on April 16, starring Gerry Marsden, are going exceptionally well.”]
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| Parliament monstrosity |
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| I HAVE been watching the TV documentary about the building of the Scottish Parliament.
It is a disgrace taxpayers’ money was squandered in this way. The left hand didn’t seem to know what their right hand was doing.
All this money was handed away without a by-your-leave and this should be thoroughly investigated by an outside source.
We were taken to the cleaners because nobody had the guts to say enough is enough.
The end result is not worth it. The building is a monstrosity and an insult to the Scottish people. — Fintry Reader.
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| Take exception to re-education |
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| AS A self-employed taxi driver in Dundee, I disagree with Positive Dundonian’s letter stating the council should “work” with badge holders to change attitudes towards the city.
I am courteous and helpful not only to tourists but every patron of my taxi.
I would take exception to the council re-educating my fellow drivers and me and, if we do not agree, taking away our livelihoods.
Dundee does have many positive aspects, but there are also many negative aspects such as crime, drug abuse, poverty and health where the city tops league tables. These cannot be ignored. — Honest Dundonian.
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| Did not mention |
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| CHANCELLOR GORDON Brown’s Council Tax sweetener of £200 to pensioners won’t go far.
He did not mention that, due to the rapidly dwindling stock of North Sea gas, the price to householders is to increase by 30 per cent before next winter, an average increase of £165 to every customer. — W. J. Carstairs, Crawford Avenue, Gauldry.
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| Letters in vacant flat |
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| I TOO have had important letters go missing. One marked “Private and confidential. Important document enclosed” was found in a vacant flat by workmen 15 days after it was posted. — Unhappy DD4.
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| 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.* |
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