| Letters - 22 February 2007 |
| Executive “cure” will hit OAPs |
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| MY CIRCLE of friends are all in their 70s or older. They worked a lifetime to bring up families with little or no assistance. Now it looks like they are going to lose their occasional “cut price” nip and a can of beer. |
| They are going to be the victims of the Scottish Executive’s “cure” for alcohol misuse.
If Scotland’s health minister went on a pub crawl, he would see the problem is not cut-price supermarket alcohol.
He would find the type of drunk they are looking to help by keeping alcohol more expensive generally frequent public houses, preferably near a betting shop.
Raising prices won’t bother the well-off, the alcoholics or those on benefit who will simply allow their families to suffer the loss.
It will, however, hit the poor pensioner making him think twice before having his tipple. — Taxbound.
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| Coldside eyesore |
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| I WRITE to highlight the current state of the ground at Coldside, Dundee, at the former Shell filling station.
As I suspected, when this garage closed this area has turned into an eyesore, and it’s only a matter of time before it’s turned into a dumping ground, with possible vermin problems. Perhaps your staff can take a photo of this area. I’d heard, along with others, that Tesco Extra were building a new smaller store here. — Mr A. C., Coldside, Dundee.
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| Money available |
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| PRINCIPAL ALAN LANGLANDS has announced substantial cuts to various departments throughout Dundee University, as apparently the institution has to claw back a £1.6 million deficit.
Recently, a Caird Hall reception to commemorate 40 years of the establishment bestowed honorary degrees on some of Dundee’s finest.
Isn’t it a bit ironic that a lavish champagne meal was served up after the event? So it would appear money is available for some things. — Full Up.
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| Growing band |
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| TONY BLAIR has warned the Jocks of the perils of independence and its “negative impact on living standards and economic investments”. This is contrary to the growing band of economists and business leaders who are now coming forward and telling us what some of us already knew — independence holds no fears.
Since Tony Blair first entered parliament, 38 nations have joined the United Nations and three European Unions have reverted to their national constituent parts. — The Watchman. |
| Expenses questioned |
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| IF A former NCR worker found employment in Edinburgh, he would have to pay his travelling expenses from his wages. So why should an MSP have his travelling expenses added to his or her wages? As an MSP earns much more than an ordinary worker, it’s high time voters questioned this lining of their own pockets. — Jock Tamson. |
| £1000 won’t go far… |
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| I’M CURIOUS about the “rapid response team” that has been formed to help NCR workers who were to lose their jobs in Dundee.
I’d like to know just who is on this team and what their record is in bringing jobs to Dundee. Are they paid, and how much?
The chairman, Erik Cramb, says he has got £1.5 million from the Scottish Executive to start the “fund”. That’s about £1000 per worker who may lose their job after knock-ons. Bringing real jobs costs a lot more than that.
After a few months, the NCR workers will be forgotten, just like Tesco and the thousands of others who have left Dundee to seek jobs elsewhere.
The record of bringing jobs to Dundee is not a good one. Most jobs have been brought here by Locate in Scotland. None that I know of by the council or the old chamber of commerce.
Globalisation is the product of greed, not enterprise. This country has suffered too much by accommodating its EU “partners” who have taken a million and more jobs from us, and now we are bowing to the greed in the Far East, and the matching greed of companies here who exploit cheap labour. — Dundee Reader.
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| Contract warning |
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| PLEASE BE careful when buying a mobile phone. When I purchased mine I was told I could downgrade after six months.
I started paying £22.50 then after six months that went up to £45.
As I don’t use even half my allowance I wanted to change, but was told I could only downgrade to £35 per month.
So get all the details before you sign and get everything in writing. — Disappointed Customer. |
| Applaud council |
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| IT IS ridiculous to think dropping cigarette ends is any less of a crime than other forms of littering. It appears smokers believe they should not be punished for littering.
It’s common sense to walk an extra few yards to a waste bin rather than adding to the litter eyesore. I applaud Dundee City Council for tackling the problem. — Law Abiding.
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| Stolen candles |
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| THE PERSON who steals the candles from my mother’s grave at Birkhill Cemetery is despicable.
My father lays candles on my mother’s grave and lights them every day only to discover them missing the next day. If the person who is doing this needs candles please leave a note and I will leave a box of candles.
I have spoken to the cemetery staff and they say there has been a spate of thefts. How low will someone stoop? I suppose it depends how low the holders are. — Unhappy Mourner.
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| Didn’t save jobs |
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| WIND TURBINES are a big con. Our politicians have fallen for the hype before looking at the costs.
Michelin in Dundee says it is making large savings from its turbines but even this didn’t save the 100 jobs lost after they were installed. — Fair’s Fair. |
| Suite warning |
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| I BOUGHT a suite from a store in Dundee, comprising of a three-seater, a two-seater and a chair. I was told there would be a charge of £59 for delivery.
On delivery the two-seater would not fit through my front door. The store told me they could take it back, dismantle it and reassemble it in my house. There would be a £60 charge.
As I had already paid for the suite I had no option. However, when the upholsterer phoned to arrange delivery I was told as well as the £60 for assembly there would be another £60 for delivery.
I spoke to the manageress and she told me it’s up to the customer to make sure the suite fits through the door.
So be careful when buying a suite or you can end up paying an extra £179. — Measure Up.
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| Is nothing sacred? |
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| A SHOP in Dundee’s High Street is to become an amusement and bingo arcade.
Is nothing sacred? This shop is next to an important listed building.
Last year permission was refused for a bookmaker in Reform Street as it was not in keeping with the area, which has two arcades.
Then a bookmakers was refused in Commercial Street, but there can be an arcade round the corner. — Doug, Monifieth.
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| Opportunity missed |
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| A GOLDEN opportunity to end tolls on the Forth and Tay road bridges was missed. Rather than lead the debate, the SNP opted for tactics designed to set coalition MSPs against each other in a cynical attempt to defeat the Scottish Executive.
So much for their concerns for the plight of ordinary Fifers and Dundonians. — Disgusted, Dundee.
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| No response |
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| I EMAILED Travel Dundee to complain about waiting 25 minutes for a bus from Whitfield into the city centre, during which time two should have arrived.
Over four weeks later, I have had no response. — Still Waiting. |
| Please use the bin |
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| IS THE dog owner from Leith walk in Dundee going to pay for new tights and shoes for my daughter after she had the misfortune of standing in his dog’s mess?
There is a dog bin on the path next to the big patch of grass off Leith Walk. Please use it in future. — Fed Up, Menzieshill. |
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