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Letters - 19 April 2006
Two hours to respond to 999 call
I CAN highlight Tayside Police’s inability to respond to calls.
I am a 58-year-old, law-abiding citizen and, following an attack on me at my own door by two teenage girls under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol in June 2005, I made five 999 calls.

The teenagers concerned had gathered a crowd and were pelting my windows with missiles. While on the phone the operator was able to hear it all.

I had to wait for almost two hours for a response. I was informed that the police had been dealing with emergencies.

What is a 999 call if it is not an emergency?

I was a prisoner in my home and the police allowed this state of lawlessness to continue.

I made it clear I wanted to charge these females, giving their names and addresses, and both myself and friend gave statements.

It is now April 2006 and, to my knowledge neither of the attackers has even been spoken to.

I made an official complaint to the police in January and am still waiting to see what is to be done. — Still Waiting.

Cop’s coffee
SILKY SLIM feels “ripped off” because he saw a police officer working at a football match drinking a cup of coffee.

This officer was in all likelihood working an extended back shift so that Silky Slim could attend the match in safety.

This cup of coffee might have been the only refreshment the officer had received in eight hours.

I’m sure the officer would have rapidly attended to any situation should the need have arisen. — Decent Citizen.

Law tunnel

Work in 1982 to build a wall around the filled-in entrance to the Law tunnel in Kinghorne Road.

I HAVE finally convinced my friend that the old Dundee to Newtyle railway line went through a section of the Law in Dundee but I can’t remember the exact point. Can the Tele tell me where the tunnel entrance or exit was? — Penfold.

The entrance to the Law tunnel lay under Kinghorne Road, opposite the High Kirk. It emerged on the north side of the hill near Byron Street and Leng Street.]

Leisure time thrown in
DUNDEE HAS almost the highest taxed citizens in Scotland, some council workers don’t pay their Council Tax, services are cut and potholed roads go unrepaired, but the city council gives staff a few hours off.

This outrageous situation took place during the workers’ “pension strike” on March 28, which closed schools and paralysed local services.

Most offices, including Tayside House, were given the nod to close early and strike-breaking staff allowed away.

Whatever your views on the strikers, at least they accepted the loss of a day’s wage while the rest got a full day’s pay with some leisure time thrown in. — Council Tax Mug.

What else have we got?
WE HAVE been attending Dundee Musical Workshop for four years, learning to sing, dance, and mostly have fun.

We have met a lot of new people and made plenty of friends.

We are all devastated to see the place close as we have nothing else to do but hang around street corners and the parks where you see all the other kids drinking at weekends and getting into bother. But what else have we got? — Chelsea Wolecki (14) and Kalie Small (13).

Dundee band
I WRITE after spending the last two hours in the closure-threatened Dundee Music Workshop.

As a Dundee band we use the facilities to rehearse or just to meet for a chat. The city needs this facility and children need the workshop.

Musicians, music followers and anybody else who dares, should write to your MP and councillors to let them know you care.

We are going to start a petition soon so people can show their support.

You can email me at: allymelx@blueyonder.co.uk and I will hand every single one to the Lord Provost. — Andy Melville, Balunie Avenue, Dundee.

Out of trouble
I AGREE with other young people who wrote in, that the closure of Dundee Music Workshop should not happen. It keeps us off the streets and out of trouble.

I have been a member for over four years and I have learned to dance, sing, perform and play piano.

Before I joined, I was hanging around with the wrong crowd, who were always in trouble with the police. The best things at the workshop are the fun you have with friends and it’s free of charge. — Big Fan.

Disappointed
I AM disappointed that Dundee Music Workshop is closing. Where else is there for young folk in Dundee?

We have been a part of the workshop for five years and this has been a major part of our lives. If it wasn’t for this place, we would have been hanging around street corners.

At the workshop we learn to dance, sing and play instruments — all for free.

Also it is like a drop-in centre and if we have any problems there is always someone willing to listen. — Megan.

Open Door
OPEN DOOR Community Theatre Co. offers opportunities in drama to all, regardless of age, sex, race or ability. For the past 10 years, we have produced two shows in Dundee each year. We are now recruiting for our July show.

Would you like to act, direct or work backstage? Do you have the ability to devise a show for us? Or are you someone who has never acted before but would like to try it out? Open Door Theatre Co. has a place for you.

We rehearse on Tuesday evenings between 7pm and 9pm in St Andrews Church Hall, King Street. If you want more information, phone me for a chat on 01382 665031. — Jim Robertson, President.

Diesel price increase
TESCO, AFTER selling cheaper fuel than local rivals, who have all shut down, is now the most expensive for diesel in Dundee, selling fuel 3p a litre more than garages in the east of the city. — Scott, Dundee.

Loyal workers
TESCO DOESN’T appear to care about loyal workers.

If you have worked in the warehouse less than two years you are quids in with your severance pay. If you have been there 5-10 years, you will get about the same, but it gets worse the more service you have.

Come on, Tesco, give us a fair deal.

I don’t know anyone going to Livingston, and that will mean 400 people looking for a job in Dundee come next July. — Stresco Worker.

Liability
LETTER WRITER Hard Pressed describes Dundee Airport as “a regional asset”. I think it’s a liability.

The writer correctly states that Angus Council has not contributed anything towards the £1.5million per year costs, but why should they? How many Angus residents use Dundee Airport?

Why would anyone want to use Dundee Airport when he or she can save money — and have a far wider choice of destinations — by using Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, or even English airports?

Dundee Airport does not provide any “lifeline” services, so it should either close or have its ownership transferred to an organisation that is not publicly funded. — Kenneth Brannan, Lowson Avenue, Carnoustie.

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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