I was shocked by Tayside Fire Board convener Mr Ken Lyall’s quote in the Evening Telegraph that the majority of people who die in fires are dead before the first 999 call is made.
Mr Lyall was speaking out in response to the campaign to prevent the downgrading of Dundee’s Balmossie fire Station.
This is an affront to every firefighter in the land that goes out on a call.
What about the people who are trapped in fires?
Do we just leave them to die because they are going to die anyway? This train of thought is very worrying. It’s almost like saying let’s close every fire station down as it’s pointless to try to save lives.
The people covered by the Balmossie Fire Station are seeing what the Save Balmossie campaigners are up against when they see a statement like this coming from the convener. — Scared Resident.
Postie had card but no parcel
I received a card through the door from a Royal Mail postie.
The strange part is I was in the kitchen at the time, and I watched this postie put the card through my letterbox without attempting to make the delivery.
I ran after him and asked for my parcel and he told me he didn’t actually have my parcel with him.
I called the Crichton Street depot and was told they couldn’t find my parcel, yet the card had my name, my flat number, my address, my postcode, and the time the card was put through the door.
This is not the first time something like this has happened to me.
I used to work for a courier company and if we tried anything like that, we would have been out the door in a shot. — Nades, Perth Road, Dundee.
Grit request
I write regarding the outrage caused by Dundee City Council’s request for able-bodied residents to assist in an unprecedented difficult situation by clearing their immediate areas.
Firstly, it should be recognised the resources available to the council have been stretched in keeping our main routes open, thus enabling our vital services to operate.
Would people rather the minor roads were tackled, leaving services like ambulances, buses, meals on wheels, fire brigade, etc. unable to operate?
The whole country is having difficulty with supplies of salt, but some people think that their bit is the only area affected! — Grateful Resident.
Appreciating trees
Perhaps Jungle Dweller, who would like to see urban trees cut down, would do rather well to check the dictionary definition of the word ‘grove’.
It seems not altogether surprising to me that the houses of Mayfield Grove, Dundee, are surrounded by mature trees, which I believe most residents appreciate.
I suggest that through greater appreciation of the positive aesthetic and practical benefits such majestic tree specimens bring to an urban environment, one might achieve an altogether more positive frame of mind generally.
I recommend that those who cannot achieve such appreciation find an alternative area void of trees in which to reside, where they may find it more suitable to live. — Urban Grove.
Bus fares
Bus travellers in Dundee, who are moaning about the hike of fares on city routes, should count themselves lucky.
In Hyderabad, India, and partly due to unrest regarding a new state, bus fares have more than doubled and risen from four to nine rupees. A staggering hike. — George Aimer, Kinghorne Road, Dundee.
Pupil poet praised
I’m a proud Ex-Dundonian, now living in Vancouver, Canada.
I read the Tele every night, via the Internet, and loved the poem by Menzieshill High School pupil Ryan Smith called Scotland, which he wrote as part of a Homecoming Scotland workshop.
The country has given the world so much, and it’s wonderful to see our young people passing on the message. Congratulations Ryan.
Rabbie Burns has some competition. — Moira Dailly, Vancouver B.C.
Positive plan
News that offshore wind farms will be developed in the Moray Firth and Firth of Forth must surely be welcomed.
It sends a signal of Scotland’s intent to remain in the vanguard of renewable energy and the fight to combat climate change.
It is all too easy to talk but then say “not in my back yard”.
This move proves that Scotland and the SNP Government is serious about the future of energy and its impact on the planet.
It is up to others to follow that lead. — The Watchman.
Reunion
We’re having a 40 Years Reunion in the Invercarse, Dundee, on January 30 at 2pm for anyone who started their nurse training at DRI in 1970. Please contact me on 01241 860431. — Aileen Black (nee Soutar).
Dog left out in cold
I stayed overnight in Clement Park, Dundee, recently due to the bad weather conditions.
A dog woke me at 1am and then again at 2.30am and finally at 4.45am and barked continuously until 6am.
It seemed to be at the back door of another property.
I don’t know how anyone can leave a dog outside, particularly in this cold weather all night. I was exhausted the next day. — Upset.
Longest road
My friends and I had a heated debate about which road or street is the longest in Dundee.
I say it’s the Clepington Road. They say it’s Strathmartine Road.
We have been in our cars a few times trying to measure the distance but all come up with different figures. Does anyone know for sure?— Dane Mitchell, Emmock Woods Area.
Missing cat
Our six-month-old female cat, Star, has been missing since Monday, January 4, from the Aboyne Avenue area of Dundee.
She is black and white with a distinctive black patch on her chin.
If anyone has any information about her, please call 01382 500155. — S. Peters.
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