WHAT A sad time for the parishioners of St Francis RC Church, Dundee, reportedly closing through lack of money.
No forewarning or consideration was given to the distress caused to a faithful congregation, who consider The Friary as their cornerstone in life.
This at a time when Pope Benedict is reported as forwarding £34 million towards policing and security, during his state visit to this country.
I fear this closure will damage the church’s reputation within the St. Francis community. — Westender.
Taxi drivers are at breaking point
RECENTLY, IN other parts of the country, there has been an increase in suicides among taxi drivers because of the lack of work and deregulation.
Drivers are at breaking point and something has to be done immediately to help ease the pressure we are under.
We have to work longer and longer hours to make a wage and earn below the minimum wage.
It is no wonder that recently, some taxi drivers have been prosecuted for benefit fraud as they are finding it hard to pay bills.
Dundee councillors can do something to help the taxi driver’s plight, but for some reason choose not to.
This has been noted by the taxi trade, which is one of Dundee’s biggest employers, and I think it will affect these councillors at the next election.
I can only hope that taxi drivers who are feeling suicidal contact the Samaritans to discuss their feelings like I have in the past. — Taxi Driver.
NO SIGNS
INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE have individual worries/problems that lead to them committing suicide.
You don’t know what frame of mind they are in or their life history.
You don’t know what they have gone through or are going through.
Men don’t seem to talk about things.
Sometimes there are no signs that something is wrong because they hide it well and don’t want to burden anyone with their worries. — Concerned.
Other narrow Dundee streets have buses
GOING BY the logic of Craigowl Estate residents, who say their streets are too narrow for buses, is it on the cards for National Express to withdraw services from St Marys, Woodside and Charleston whose streets are much narrower?
Just as the folk of Lawers Drive at Panmurefield got the buses removed, it seems the same attitude persists in Craigowl, whether some need the buses or not. — George Aimer.
MOANING ABOUT NOTHING
THE PEOPLE from Craigowl are moaning about nothing.
When I lived there, there were only two buses an hour until a certain time when it was one, so I had to walk from Cox Street.
And if it’s so much noise and pollution, how about we all have a moan?
I live on Strathmartine Road and the buses start early and finish late. — Angry.com
Times keep changing
WHEN STRATHTAY ran buses to Carnoustie, services were every 10 minutes.
Since Stagecoach took over, bus times have changed from one every 15 minutes, to one every 20 minutes.
Half the time they are late or they don’t turn up. So, instead of 20 minutes, it becomes 40 minutes.
I think it's profit instead of providing a decent service to the public. — Fed-up Pensioner.
Utter disgrace
WHAT IS going on with the Outer Circle bus that used to come along Harefield Road?
Not only have they changed numbers, they have changed the route.
The only bus we get along Harefield Road is the 14/14a.
It’s an utter disgrace considering we have lots of sheltered housing and elderly people depending on the buses.
If we want to go to Asda, we now have to get two buses as not everyone can walk to Dryburgh. — Marie, Lochee.
Prisoners don’t have any rights
I CAN’T believe that deputy prime minister Nick Clegg is campaigning for prisoners to be given the right to vote.
I also can’t believe that in the Evening Telegraph’s survey, some people also think prisoners should be allowed to vote as it’s infringing their human rights.
Well, firstly, when someone commits a crime and is jailed, then they have consciously removed all rights.
Secondly, a person can fall ill through no fault of their own, but could be detained in a secure unit under the mental health act. Under the mental health act, all legal rights are removed, including the right to vote.
What’s fair, a murderer voting or an unfortunate person who’s fallen ill not being allowed to vote?
This is a ridiculous comment from Nick Clegg and he should resign. — Douglas & Angus.
Doing nothing
MANY PEOPLE in Dundee voted for the Labour Party because they promised they would defend the city against the new Conservative government.
However, when an opportunity arises to take on the Government over its unpopular VAT rise, they sit on their hands and do nothing, leaving the SNP to lead the fight against the Government. — Political Connoisseur.
Inquiry call
TIME AND time again we hear reports from the court in Dundee that procurator fiscals have failed to produce files or reports and ask for extension or another intermediate diet.
Far too often these cases do not come to trial, as there was not enough evidence.
This must cost the taxpayer millions of pounds per year.
An inquiry will be held to ensure this does not happen again.
I do not believe this goes far enough.
It is time a full public inquiry was held into the fiscal’s office. — Allan Petrie.
Postal query
CAN SOMEONE shed light on the fact that in Dundee our postal address is “Dundee, Angus”, although we are not in Angus, as we don’t pay our council tax to them. — Lost Soul.
All the best
WELL DONE to Leanne M for being so honest with her unhappy experience with drugs.
I hope it will send the message out to others that drugs only bring misery, not just for the user, but for their loved ones.
I truly wish Leanne best wishes for the future. — Alix.
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