How many politicians and self-proclaimed experts are going to play football with the Dundee City Council housing stock?
If councillors in Dundee stopped for a while looking after the interests of Palestinians, having a go at the Americans and playing party politics, and started looking for solutions we might have an answer to the problem that has been around for nearly 30 years.
I have to say, Dundee made its decision in 2004 not to transfer stock to the Charitable Housing Trust, the write-off of debt, and the multi-million pound investment the Government was willing to give to housing associations.
That’s where the fault lies, and there’s no sign of an admission of guilt, or a plan to take 12,000 pretty miserable-feeling tenants out of 12,000 miserable houses. — Dundee Reader.
£300,000 pales into insignificance
The Ministry of Defence is trying to force Tayside Police to hand over £300,000 to pay for military back-up for the Gleneagles summit in 2005 — a summit that was foisted on Scotland by Tony Blair.
They are trying to use moral blackmail by claiming the “money is needed to support troops in Iraq and Afghanistan”.
I do not believe such a relatively small amount of money will have any bearing on either conflict.
However, it pales into insignificance to the £2.3 billion that is being spent on the MOD HQ in Whitehall, which includes many extras for staff comfort, like a restaurant, coffee bar, large plasma screens, a gym and “quiet rooms”.
Maybe the MOD staff can use the quiet rooms to contemplate the error of their way and realise that the Scots are not as stupid as they obviously think we are. — Inverg.
Looking for good influence
I was once told by a council employee that putting bad tenants into better areas would ensure the good tenants had a positive influence on the bad.
My theory is if the council puts bad tenants in a good area, they know that area will deteriorate before long, therefore creating need for European funding. — Sleepless Home Owner
Gone on for years
RE letter “Put problem tenants in one tenement”. This argument has gone on for years and as there are so many “problem tenants”, a multi-storey would be more appropriate for them. — Fed-Up Good Tenant
And he sings, too
The recent episode of The Bill starring Edward Woodward was one of the best ever because it showcased three generations of his family including his son and grandson.
I am really surprised that many critics comment solely on Edward’s marvellous performances in TV’s Callan and The Equaliser and his legendary outing in the cult film The Wicker Man.
They should remember he is also a singer.
I have a 1970 45rpm of Edward singing Jerome Kern’s The Way You Look Tonight. The flipside is the Elton John and Bernie Taupin-penned The Tide Will Turn For Rebecca. — J. I. Matthew.
Restaurant vouchers
I have a £40 gift voucher for Andres, which can only be redeemed at this restaurant.
I am sure I will not be the only person holding such vouchers. Now the restaurant is closed, will the new owners be honouring these vouchers? — Hungry Horace.
[New owners The Mali Thai Restaurant said they would not be honouring any Andres gift vouchers.
A spokesman said, “That would not be anything to do with us a all.”]
Lump sum not so lumpy
Some days ago, I received correspondence from Norwich Union in relation to a pension policy taken out many years ago. I was asked to endorse option A, or option B.
Option A was an annual pension of £2.14 per annum (which is roughly about 4p a week) or option B which is a cash lump sum payment of £28.18. I opted for the latter.
The bottom line of Norwich Union’s letter was: “Norwich Union wishes you a long and happy retirement.” — Victor Tansey.
Fun day
We are having a Gala Fun Day tomorrow at Panmurefield Village Church Hall. It runs from noon to 4 pm, in aid of Roses and Forget-Me-Nots, a newly-formed Dundee charity which hopes to raise funds to built a holiday complex for people with terminal illnesses and people who don’t get a holiday. We will be looking for volunteers for future events. – Mrs Maria Deick, Chairperson.
Charity karaoke
Dreamz4u are having a charity karaoke in the Ellenbank Bar tomorrow. Everyone welcome. — Dreamz4u Team.
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