Residents of Dundee can be fined for throwing cigarettes on the streets, dog owners can be fined for not cleaning up mess, but travelling people can move from place to place leaving a “midden” behind every time.
I refer to the mess left last week after travellers vacated a site behind Dundee Ice Arena.
Do these people even pay council tax? Why are they allowed to get away with this when the rest of us would be punished?
I don’t understand why a different set of rules seems to be in place for these people. If they choose to live their life in this way, that is their right.
However, I argue they do not have a right to make a huge mess of wherever they stop and then leave the rest of us to clear up in their wake. — S.J.B.
School discipline must be tougher
Congratulations to former Dundee maths teacher Mike Barile, who won his appeal against his sentence for assaulting two pupils.
He can now start to rebuild his life, but there is a bigger issue here and that is a lack of discipline in schools.
It is no coincidence that since corporal punishment was abolished at school, the behaviour of teenagers has worsened.
I received the “belt” only two or three times at school but the thought of it made you check your behaviour.
The PC brigade in this country will say this type of punishment is barbaric, but I counter this argument by stating without this type of punishment the possibility is the behaviour of some teenagers will be barbaric, which if you care to drive through Dundee on any given night you can often see first hand. — JP.
Timetable issue will be rectified
Letter writer Baffled Baffin Street Traveller is correct to indicate there is an issue which has affected some of the real-time information systems on the bus network in Dundee.
They had to be shut down when water ingress caused problems with the electrical system. As a safety precaution, approximately 70 of the units were switched off.
It is unfortunate these systems have had to be switched off as they provide a valuable resource to the traveller within Dundee. In order to resolve this, the street lighting team are working with the transportation teams to find an acceptable solution.
All of the bus shelters should have an up-to-date timetable.
The timetable information is also available on the travel information website which can be accessed at www.dundeetravelinfo.com
We thank all bus users for their patience. — Councillor Craig Melville.
Great memories from Showtime
My sisters and I were members of Dundee Junior Showtime for 10 years from about 1971.
We had many happy years in Junior Showtime and have a lot to thank Margaret Mathers for — or Maggie as she is affectionately known.
During our years in Showtime, we toured Scotland and played in pubs and clubs all over, singing “Junior Showtime’s here again”.
A favourite trip was our regular excursions to Ingliston Market.
Highlights were a trip to Russia and auditioning for Opportunity Knocks.
We were like one big family and friendships were made and sustained for many years.
I was very sorry to miss the reunion on Saturday but I hear a great time was had by all.
Dundee has a great deal to thank Margaret Mathers for and I hope that DJS will continue for many years to come. — Frances Morrison, Sharpthorne Court, Brighton.
Charity dinner
Business Women Ahead in Dundee is holding its Awards Dinner, recognising various categories of Women in Business. This is taking place at the Apex Hotel, Dundee, on March 19.
Tickets are £40 per head and can be purchased through www.womenahead.co.uk.
All proceeds from this event will be donated to The Brae Riding School for the Disabled, which was chosen as Women Ahead’s charity of the year. — Mary Sneddon, Brae Centre Manager.
Spend cash elsewhere
I am getting annoyed at the amount of letters regarding the deterioration in Sandy Park, in Balgillo Park, Dundee, and residents are aiming to have this refurbished at the cost of £95,000.
These people should think themselves lucky they have such a play park for children to go to.
Most housing estates would love to have this facility.
Wouldn’t the £95,000 be better spent elsewhere in the city? — Anon.
Upset at office manner
On a recent visit to the council tax office in City Square, Dundee, I was left feeling disgusted at the treatment I received.
The staff have previously been helpful and polite with any queries I’ve had, yet for some reason one particular employee decided I was making up stories and spoke to me in such a belittling and derogatory way that I was lost for words.
If I had treated a member of the public in this way, I would no longer have a job.
I left the office feeling angry, worthless and no further forward with my query. — Tax Payer.
Bonus row
Like most people, I was surprised to see civil servants are to receive bonuses at a time when severe cuts are being made to the Scottish budget from Westminster.
However, I was not surprised to see both Labour and the Lib Dems jump in with both feet attacking Alex Salmond.
It actually has nothing do with the Scottish Government and is in fact reserved to the UK Government.
Funnily enough neither has yet managed to apologise to the First Minister and criticise the person responsible — Gordon Brown. — Political Connoisseur.
Pots request
I work in a local nursery and am on the look out for old pots and pans for our children to use to create sounds in our outdoor area. We are also looking for old sheets or large pieces of material to allow the children to create dens and spaces outdoors.
If you have any of these which you no longer need, please contact Nicola on 07789 958645. — Nicola King, Fountainbleau Drive, Dundee.
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