| Letters - 15 December 2005 |
| Dundee’s image problem |
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Mike Galloway
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| SO DUNDEE City Council’s planning and transportation director, Mike Galloway, has just learned that Dundee has a problem in the way it is perceived by others.
The average Dundonian can tell you we have an image problem, never more so than at this time of year.
What kind of image do we portray to visitors, as well as to the local population, when the grand total of the council’s imaginative skills for arts/entertainment in the city centre for Xmas and New Year is once again . . . a carnival.
And this is then sited right in front of the main focal area.
If we want to rid our city of the “gadgie”, “dreary” and “dodgy” perception that others have, it’s time we brought in some fresh blood with modern ideas, to replace some of the current tired thinking. — R. Harris.
I AGREE with Mike Galloway about the perception that people have of Dundee.
I blame a lot of this on the Scottish Press, who seem to dislike the city.
They seem to ignore our many achievements or prefer to print negative stuff.
I have spoken to many visitors in the last few years and I can assure Tele readers that they do not look at Dundee in a bad light.
Many are from England and are very impressed with the cleanliness and friendliness of our city. — Ian A.
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| Blow to disabled drivers |
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| DUNDEE CITY Council has decided to refuse a lady, who suffers from cancer, a disabled badge to help with her parking, the excuse being that she is not in receipt of the Disability Living Allowance.
How many other disabled people lose this privilege to help them to have some form of freedom because of this reason?
I believe this to be discriminatory and will be writing to the Disability Rights Commission to find out whether or not this act is legal.
There are many disabled people like myself who need this badge. — Get Real, Dundee.
I READ the story about a disabled lady refused a parking badge by Dundee City Council because she was not in receipt of a Disability Living Allowance, and if this is the policy, it will severely hamper disabled people’s independence. — M. Greaves.
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| Buses have to wait |
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| AFTER THOROUGHLY checking the Highway Code, at no point did I see it saying it is acceptable for bus drivers to indicate, then move off, regardless of what traffic is coming up behind them, as claimed by Bus Driver.
Moving off without due consideration to other road users is careless driving and a punishable offence.
Stick on your indicator, then wait to be let out, like the law states. — Silky Slim, Dundee.
I READ Silky Slim’s letter about Dundee’s bus drivers and I too have had numerous close calls.
A couple of weeks ago I was forced to almost mount the kerb. When I challenged the driver at the next stop he claimed I had been going too fast.
Even if I had been going too fast (I wasn’t), is it normal practice for buses filled with passengers to pull out into the path of speeding vehicles?
Bus drivers may feel that their time is of great importance, but it isn’t any more important than mine, or the next man’s, or indeed, public safety. — Scott, Dundee.
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| Many thanks to Lesley |
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The helpful assistant praised in the letter is Lesley Anderson (left), pictured with Gilbert Grossett, Sarah Cordiner, Harry Harrison and Nikki Beveridge.
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| I SHOP at Grosset’s, the butchers in Dundee’s Arbroath Road, and I congratulate the shop for employing such a lovely and thoughtful member of staff.
Lesley, who serves there, is so nice and helpful, I can’t think of praise high enough for her. — Happy Shopper.
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| Far from private |
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| I HAVE just received a form for free travel on public transport and was annoyed to see all my details through the envelope window — from my ex-directory telephone number to my date of birth.
We are told not to disclose personal information to anyone, yet the council doesn’t seem to care what information is disclosed in this way. — Dundee Resident. |
| Mystery card |
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| I RECEIVED a Christmas card wrongly addressed to my house in Bingham Terrace, Dundee, intended for a James Fitchet.
It was from Isobel, a great-grandmother of three boys and three girls, the last one born two months ago.
It would be a great pity if Isobel’s news did not reach Jim. Please get in touch on 01382 592910 and I will forward or return the card. — Don D. Man. |
| Great ambassadors |
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| CONCERNS HAVE been expressed about the duties of the city centre “ambassadors” in Dundee after the handing-out of promotional leaflets. These ambassadors do a marvellous job by meeting and greeting, advising and promoting small and large businesses.
The clothes shop in question is Modista.
It, like all other members of the Duncan Group, pays an annual fee for various services, which include crime prevention, promotional materials for the public and any other organised events like the traders market.
Using an ambassador would seem a better move than any Tom Dick or Harry.
We will be handing more leaflets in the future. — Mary McLennan.
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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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