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Letters - 21 February 2008
Pupils mocked elderly passenger
I write to express my disgust at the behaviour of secondary school pupils who frequent the outer circle bus service (nos 10 and 12) in Dundee. They do little to dispel the poor image of today’s youth.

I regularly witness anti-social behaviour such as abusive and crude language, and throwing objects.

Drivers turn a blind eye to their discourteous behaviour.

On January 29, on the 15.30 (Baluniefield), an elderly lady wishing to disembark in the Fintry area was faced with pupils blocking the passageway.

When she politely asked them to move, they ignored her. On asking them again, one challenged her to “make me move” which was then met by loud laughter from the others. It is a sad indication of a lack of respect for elders from the young generation.

Not all young people are like this and I do not wish to tar them with the same brush.

Would it not be an option to provide a bus exclusively for school pupils or to have community safety wardens on the services used by pupils.

This behaviour is unfair to decent passengers and a bad example to primary school children who also use the service. — Learning To Drive.

Stealth tax
It would be fine to control the amount of binge and under-age drinking by increasing the price of booze, as the politicians, clinicians and chief constables suggest.

It would be fine when we all get the salary of an MSP, hospital consultant or chief constable.

Until such time, it’s merely another stealth tax that’ll cause little pain to those that suggest it but will deprive the ordinary working person of a small pleasure.

There are already plenty laws restricting the sale and consumption of alcohol and on anti-social and unruly behaviour.

What is needed is for those paid from the public purse to ensure the enforcement of the existing legislation — not to introduce more that penalises the innocent and will probably have little effect on the guilty.

All it will emphasis is to take money from the ordinary person and put it into the Government coffers. — The Ferry Man.

Take a bus
I reply to Regular Parker and point out the parking notices were issued in Crescent Lane not Street.

You are parking at their homes and you say you don’t always get parked at your home. May I suggest you leave your car at home and take a bus, that way you have your space and we have ours.

You lot are quite pathetic. You park in Crescent Street then walk to work.

Parking meters would make a huge difference. The reason being they are going to be short-term parking and you won’t pay parking charges.

I will continue to phone police every time I see a car blocking our lane. — Resident.

Cause inconvenience
People trying to save a few pounds, like Regular Crescent Street Parker, cause obstruction and inconvenience to Dundee City Centre residents.

They don’t stop to consider families, the elderly or disabled. Doctors and other services have problems gaining access to our homes. — Frustrated.

Belts used
I reassure letter writer Belt Up the SNP politicians who travelled across the Tay Road Bridge did wear seatbelts.

They were travelling in a magnificent Triumph Healey 100, which is fitted with safety lap-belts.

The Triumph was driven by John Barnett, a member of the Dundee-based Caledonian Classic and Historic Motor Sports Club and dates from the 1960s when the bridge was opened and people first started to pay tolls — 42 years ago. — Andrew Scott, Senior Press Officer, SNP Dundee.

Xmas comes early
Some readers wrote to complain that the build-up to Christmas is starting earlier and earlier.

We’ve just got Valentine’s Day out of the way and there are Christmas trees up in Douglas and Albert Street in Dundee and a firm is wishing us a Merry Christmas in the Hilltown area of the city. — Scott Mcready, Balunie Street, Dundee.

Luggage claim
Has anyone else ever had their luggage lost in Heathrow Airport while flying with British Airways?

I lost mine and contacted BA countless times before I put my claim form for some of the more expensive items.

This came to over £600 and they offered me £22.44. I asked for more and they came up with an extra £20 (which I have never received).

BA then told me to claim for the more expensive items using my insurance. Why should I have to increase my premiums because a multi-billion pound company don’t do what’s right? — Mad Flier.

Pulling strings
I have a degree of sympathy for Chancellor Alistair Darling, as the calls for his resignation grow.

Although he has played a part in the dithering over Northern Rock, everybody knows that it is the Prime Minister Gordon Brown pulling the strings. — Political Connoisseur.

Left out in rain
My child attends Ardler Primary School in Dundee, which is also accommodating Brackens kids.

When it rains or snows Brackens pupils get to go straight in first thing in the morning while the Ardler children are left out.

I find this unfair. Both schools are sharing the same building so the kids should be treated the same.

My daughter can’t understand why her friend gets to go in while she has to wait for the bell.

Frankly I don’t understand it either. — Out In The Rain.

Fire and health hazard
It is about time Dundee City Council got a grip on the filthy conditions in Whorterbank.

Despite numerous complaints about rubbish being dumped at the bottom of the stairs, which is both a fire and health and safety hazard, all they ever do is send letters to all residents explaining responsibilities.

This is despite clear evidence provided as to who are the constant offenders. — Resident.

Wailing at night
I agree with C. G. about cats and their irresponsible owners. I have two large dogs and always pick up.

However, neighbours complain if my dogs are not on a lead, but have cats which are constantly in my garden messing and wailing in the middle of the night.

I have also had to dispose of a dead, half chewed mouse from my path.

If cat owners expect dogs to be kept under control and cleaned up after, then the same should apply to their pet. — Dalkeith Dog.

Whitfield potholes
I agree with Mrs Boyle’s letter regarding the potholes in Whitfield Loan. They are going to seriously damage cars as are numerous others in Dundee.

Road Tax is dear enough so it’s about time the money we pay is actually used for road repairs. — Driven Potty.— Resident.

Prize bingo
Celtic Girls’ Football Club is having a prize bingo evening on Friday, February 29, in Menzieshill Neighbourhood Centre (eyes down 7.30).

Tickets cost £1.50 and include flyer and refreshment. You can pay at the door. — Arlene Jeffrey, Menzieshill, Dundee.

Dundee needs jobs
Jobs for Dundee should be high up on the Scottish Government’s list of “things to do”. Too many are being lost.

The way things are going, Dundee’s unemployment figures will spiral upwards after having fallen dramatically over the past decade or so.

Meanwhile apprenticeships for Dundee-based companies should, in the first instance, be aimed at local youngsters before non-Dundee residents are considered. — Jobs For The Boys.

Bebo site
Easy Walkers, the Angus-based animal charity, has set up a Bebo site. It features contact information, a diary of events and picture gallery.

Animal lovers who can’t get a copy of our weekly newsletter can keep informed at www.easywalkerss.bebo.com — Easy Walkers.

About time
It’s about time newspapers stopped worrying about what retired priest Monsignor Joseph Creegan is doing to earn money. — Angry Churchgoer.
Free range
I enjoy free range chicken at home. Can any readers tell me if there are any restaurants in Dundee that offer it on their menus? — Chicken Out Supporter.
Witness accident
Did anyone witness an accident on February 12, around 6.15pm at the Ladywell Roundabout in Dundee involving a bright green Nissan Micra and a navy blue VW Golf? — 07740333593.
Black cat
AT 8am on Friday, February 15, on Balgowan Avenue, Dundee, a black cat ran in front of my son’s van. He took the cat to Parkside Vets. — Mrs MacDonald, Dundee.
Dead cat
I took a black and white female cat that had died in an accident on Dundee’s Kingsway, opposite D C Thomson’s building, to Parkside Vets. — Animal Lover.
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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