It is so easy to condemn the Dundee family whose weight problems have made national news. Clearly some families need extra help, whether that’s advice on healthy eating or on the need to exercise more.
While this is a task for health professionals, often forgotten is the cost, both human and financial, and the very fact that success depends largely on politicians providing adequate support.
The SNP 2007 election manifesto included ideas to provide school kids with two hours of PE each week, led by specialist teachers, and free year-round access to council swimming pools.
Cycling success at Beijing inevitably led to talk of replacing Scotland’s two cycling tracks, one at Dundee and the one Sir Chris Hoy used as a boy at Meadowbank in Edinburgh.
Since then we have heard nothing. Education Minister Fiona Hyslop now admits these promises have been downgraded to mere aspirations.
The SNP government’s own figures show obesity levels continuing to spiral upwards.
They should not be surprised if this failure to deliver on programmes they alone developed and proposed as being crucial in tackling obesity, is now viewed as a gross betrayal of trust. — Dundee Reader.
Party doesn’t have to break bank
Hogmanay celebrations in Dundee for the millennium.
It was disappointing to read that plans for a more elaborate Hogmanay celebration in Dundee, as championed by Councillor Jimmy Black, have been shelved.
While it is reasonable to put forward the current economic concerns as a reason not to have a massive shindig, I don’t see why it can’t be done at relatively low cost.
There have been great Hogmanay nights in Dundee fairly recently. I remember attending the festivities in City Square at the millennium. It was a great night with a great atmosphere. I’m not suggesting we go to that scale again, but surely it’s not beyond the realms of possibility to have some kind of decent celebration without breaking the bank? —Mr Scrooge.
Parking problems
Parking at Dundee’s St Josephs PS is an ongoing problem, but the car park at the back of the school is full of potholes and is just a mess.
This is why most of the parents now park round the front. Also there is a crossing near the school which some parents do use with the kids.
This is a very busy road anyway, and the parents try to get to school in time, so therefore may pass the time of day with other parents.
I don’t see that as being a problem. I work at the Kingsway and finish work at 3pm and have to get to St Joseph’s for my daughter coming out at 3.15 and therefore do not have the time to go far for a parking space, so I also park nearby.
The traffic problem is usually cleared quickly.
If Anxious Grandparent can offer a solution for parking nearby, please let us know. — Working Parent.
Backing for Councillor’s knife concerns
I commend Councillor Tom Ferguson for raising issues of residents’ concern for their safety in Menzieshill, Dundee.
Councillor Ferguson spoke out after a 22-year-old woman was attacked in Charleston Drive at kinfepoint, just a week after a stabbing in Tweed Crescent.
Some of his political opponents, particularly Councillor Alan Ross, took umbrage at his comments and have criticised him.
No matter what the statistics say, when incidents do happen, and the publicity they attract, people do become much more aware and more frightened.
It’s no use senior politicians telling us knife incidents are few and far between, and only a tiny percentage of all crime.
Try telling that to someone who has just been stabbed, or to their families, or to the nurses on work at night, unaccompanied, when big strapping male doctors are driven around like pop stars.
All Cllr Ferguson was doing was representing the views of the public in Menzieshill, which he does rather well.
Some politicians are out of touch with Lochee and Menzieshill. They should get out more and see what goes on in the real world. — Dundee Reader.
Councillor responded promptly
I have lived in the Menzieshill area for over 30 years and, like others, I am concerned at what has been happening in our quiet neighbourhood.
I contacted Councillor Ferguson who responded promptly and myself and others feel safer in our area because of the strong representations he made.
As for Councillors Ross and Bob Duncan, they clearly need to learn more about the community.
Keep up the good work, Tom, and don’t fall into the SNP trap of trying to put you down. — Former SNP Supporter.
‘Response put residents at ease’
I read with dismay about the attack against Dundee councillor Tom Ferguson. As a resident in the Menzieshill area, I contacted Mr Ferguson about my concerns over the recent incidents that occurred in our area.
I have never heard of Councillor Alan Ross and was surprised to find he represents part of the community. Mr Ferguson’s response was one that put us at ease and gave us confidence.
He works hard for all of us in the Menzieshill area. — Political Preacher.
Anger at dog cruelty
Reading the Tele I cannot help but notice the very regular incidents of animal cruelty rearing their ugly head, the most recent being the sad case of the two Staffordshire bull terriers in a house in Brackens, Dundee.
The sentence was only a very paltry fine of £400 and a 10-year ban from keeping animals.
These poor dogs had to be put out of their misery.
It’s now time for serious action to prevent this kind of thing from ever happening again. — Ron McIntosh, Balunie Drive, Dundee.
Council tax freeze
I note Labour and the unions have joined with the Liberal Democrats and demanded an end to the council tax freeze to combat the financial crisis.
What they haven’t been able to tell us is what sort of rise we could expect to combat the £30 million savings the council needs to find.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out we would have to see a substantial increase in the council tax to combat this. How exactly do they think those on low incomes could afford it? — Political Connoisseur.
Baldovan reunion
I lived at 37 Baldovan Terrace, Dundee, until 1961 and am writing to ask if anyone who lived there at that time would be interested in coming to a reunion.
I have already met a couple of girls, but there were many more. I can remember Elizabeth Muirison, Maureen Burnet, Anne and Joyce Gordon and Margaret Cowans. Please telephone me on 01382 450495. — Irene Watson (nee Harra), 16 Martin Street, Dundee.
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