While it is heartening to see Dundee City Council obtaining council housing, it seems the people of Dundee will be kept in the dark as to whether we are getting value for money as they hide behind commercial confidentiality.
Due to the slowdown in the building trade, Dundee City Council has been able to buy 15 new houses in Mid Craigie from a local developer, but the cost of the purchase has not been revealed.
Call me a cynic, but if we were getting value for money and it was sure to win votes, this council would be rushing to let us know how much these 15 houses were costing.
I find it interesting and misguided that the council are seeking to buy or build large-sized family homes when future trends indicate more people choosing to live alone.
Perhaps applications for housing in Dundee will prove me wrong, or is that secret information too?
As a multi dweller, waiting to be re-housed, I look forward to a new build council house soon. — Jim Hutchison, Menzieshill, Dundee.
Boulders won’t fix parking problems
The boulders at Dundee’s L:inton Road.
I can only assume the people who are happy about boulders on Linton Road do not have children.
Surely there is a better way to stop people parking on grass than big ugly boulders? Kids are now trying to jump from one to the other.
Wait and see when someone gets hurt. That’s when people will start to shout.
I ask those who agree with me about the safety of this to start shouting now, not when it’s too late.
Might I also add Dryburgh is a good scheme to live in, but when people visit, first impression is ugly wire all around shops and now big boulders. — Fred Flintstone.
Call for action on seagulls
I agree with the writer expressing concerns about gulls.
I am continually awakened at 5am by these screeching seabirds.
It has now reached the point that no matter where you live in the city of Dundee these flying nuisances are to be found.
The authorities must take some action to cull the numbers of these species.
The mess they leave behind after tearing open waste disposal bags is disgraceful.
The cleansing department who have to clear it away do a magnificent job, but are the authorities aware of the additional cost and labour incurred in dealing with this?
Is it not about time someone took the necessary responsibility and action to rid us of unwelcome breeds — Concerned.
Screaming disrupts sleep
I fully agree with ‘Wary Walker’. I live at Wishart Archway and you hear the screaming of gulls, which waken us around 3am and continues all day.
There is a derelict mill nearby and I think they are nesting there.
Just a short walk into town and the gulls are ripping open bin bags awaiting collection.
And do not forget, they couldn’t care less who throws leftovers on the ground encouraging not only seagulls, but rats.
Hopefully someone with some clout will take this problem seriously.
Oh for a seagull-less night. — Mary McHugh.
Dad’s Army success
BBC TV’s programme celebrating Dad’s Army was remarkably all-encompassing and encyclopaedic.
However, it is important to also mention the project which followed the movie Dad’s Army (1971) — Theatre of Blood (1972) in which Arthur played a critic.
There was an all-star cast in this mock-horror outing. Headed by Vincent Price, this included Robert Morley, Dennis Price, Milo O’Shea, Eric Sykes and Ian Hendry.
One of my prize possessions is my copy of Dad’s Army Annual 1976.
In addition to stories, this book contains comic-strip adventures vividly drawn by an artist, not cartoon art by realism-style art.
I was intrigued to read in this book the slogan ‘Keep it under your hat’ originated during the war. This was a slogan pasted up on hoardings preceded by the warning ‘Careless talk costs lives’. — J. I. Matthew.
Job hunting is difficult task
People like E. M. Ployed make my blood boil. I was paid off in January after 18 years in Delta IBP. Since then I have sent out over 50 CVs and to date had nine replies all the same, saying kept on file.
So, E. M. Ployed, tell me and hundreds more, where the jobs are so I can have one. Dundee is simply drying up with regards to work and the Scottish Government is doing very little to help. — Facts Right, Kirkton.
We’re not all scroungers
I comment on those people who think all unemployed are scroungers. I am unemployed and it isn’t as black and white as people think.
They should try it and see what it’s like. It’s not that easy to find a job in Dundee without expertise in a field. — Reader.
Garden theft
To the thieves who stole five garden lights on Monday night, and who also last week stole my late mum’s butterfly chimes off a tree in our garden. I hope you are proud. They meant so much to us, not to you. — Wilma Campbell.
No disabled passengers
The council tells me I must attend the wheelchair induction course within the three-year time limit, therefore until I have the mandatory training I must not be qualified to help wheelchair users in/out of taxis.
Until then I will refuse to accept wheelchair users, on the grounds I have not been trained to do so. — Happy Taxi Driver.
Barry George
I never doubted the innocence of Barry George for a second, so justice was done with him being acquitted of Jill Dando’s murder.
This case clearly shows why we must never under any circumstances bring back the death penalty. — Civilised Reader, Dundee.
Political spending
In reply to Politico who once again criticises the SNP for not doing enough to help hard-pressed people, public expenditure in Scotland is far higher than in England.
In addition to that there are many free handouts.
This is understandably causing resentment in England so investment and spending should be reduced here. — Westender, Dundee.
Carnoustie Grants
Local charities or organisations, in the Carnoustie area, wishing to apply for a grant from the Carnoustie Gala Committee are invited to send their letters of request to Mrs Lesley Guthrie, 10 Winter Place, Carnoustie, DD7 6BR. Applications should be received no later than 22/08/08. — Carnoustie Gala Committee.
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