Madam, – With the ongoing nationwide publicity regarding Spring Cleaning Britain and the anti-social aspect of dropping litter and dumping rubbish, it is very disappointing and infuriating to observe the result of continued fly-tipping activities in the country roads around the villages of Liff and Fowlis.
That is not to mention the random abandonment of Travellers’ caravans in such places as laybys, the latest example being just outside Birkhill.
Given that a fine of £40,000 could be imposed for fly-tipping, it really is time for the courts and authorities to flex their muscles.
This situation is not helped by the attitude of Dundee City Council and their officials, and that of the Angus authorities.
Dundee refuses to accept waste from Angus residents at the Riverside Drive waste depot even though Angus residents may live only a couple of miles away.
Angus authorities appear to wish to make life difficult for everyone by closing some of their collection facilities.
This is pathetic and territorial parochialism running unchallenged.
Surely it is not beyond the combined brain power of these officials to reach a compromise that can help keep our country clean and to satisfy the needs of the people they are employed to serve, the rate and tax payers.
Peter F Toms.
1 Liff Park,
Liff Village.
Green agenda not helpful
Madam, – May I suggest that Dr Cameron is too mild in his criticism of the environmental lobby.
When we have reached the high farce whereby politicians pay homage to demonstrable nonsense spouted by a young girl and flaky TV personalities who are addicted to self-promotion, then we really do need to think again.
The environmental movement is not worthy of support or sympathy (in my opinion).
On the contrary, these professional agitators have, over the past 40 years, grown into a world-wide network of rabble-rousers whose main ambition is to destroy our way of life.
Don’t forget that some of them were assuring us that the world was threatened by another ice age.
I submit two of many reasons why all right thinking people should be repelled by this ruthless and unprincipled lot.
First, we are constantly reminded of the thousands of children dying every day because of diseases such as cholera, malaria malnutrition, and so on. In vast swathes of the developing world, this is simply due to lack of fresh water; and that in turn is because the “greenies” are using any and all means to oppose using fossil fuels to generate electricity required to treat and transport that fresh water.
And secondly, no one should ever forget the scandalous “golden rice” saga.
A genetically-modified crop was developed with the capability of increased production and ability to combat Vitamin A deficiency.
Alas, for more than a decade, this work was obstructed at every turn by environmentalists.
It was estimated that this action alone had resulted in blindness of around one million children a year.
And there’s so much more.
So why do otherwise sensible people think they can improve the world by voting green?
If we have the problems they suggest, then our real scientists and engineers will deal with them.
Jim Parker.
9 Banchory Green,
Collydean,
Glenrothes.
SNP must restore faith
Madam, – Along with other long-term supporters of Scottish independence in this area, I’ve become slightly disillusioned by the Scottish Government’s difficulties in dealing with some simple decisions already within their power.
While the ruling party’s weekend conference grapples with the intricacies of a future currency of a future independent Scotland, much simpler, no-brainer choices such as returning trains to Levenmouth now continue to get kicked down the road.
Can the Scottish Government restore faith and confidence in their ability to handle power effectively.
Stuart McIntosh.
Kirkland Walk,
Methil.
Care for elderly not bus passes
Madam, – In mid-2016 there were in Angus 14,726 people aged between 65 and 74; and 11,761 over 75.
The projected figures for the year 2039 are, respectively, 16,178 and 21,645.
That’s an increase in 20 years from now of 1,452 aged between 65 and 74 and 9,884 in the older category. (source: Angus Health and Social Care Partnership Development of the Strategic Commissioning Plan 2019-2022 published in November 2018.)
The significant rise in population in the older category suggests that a much greater number than today will require care, both in their own homes and residential.
Why then do the options currently on the table regarding the future of Seaton Grove Residential Home in Arbroath include only reducing the county’s capacity by varying amounts?
The members of the Integration Joint Board, who have the unenviable task of making the decision on Seaton Grove at their meeting at the end of June, are neither stupid nor evil.
But they are in a financial strait-jacket. More funds have to be made available to them to look after old folk who do not have the benefit of a bottomless purse of savings.
One possible source would be by raising the lower age limit for free bus travel, in stages, from 60 to 65.
That would release a significant amount of money from central government which could be redirected to a section of our senior society where it is more greatly needed.
Gordon Cook.
Gowanlea, Friockheim.
Performance space a letdown
Madam, – Last week I was fortunate to attend the Harris Academy Spring Concert where the enthusiasm and talent of the performers shone through.
How sad they were let down by the wholly inadequate performing space. The small “stage” area is described by the Harris architects Holmes Miller Ltd as a “flexible and adaptable teaching space”.
It is anything but – the school band was unable to fit on the stage and the dancers disappeared to the side trying to perform their routine in the space available.
The stage curtain is reminiscent of that around a hospital bed.
There are no wings to the side or back of the stage for performers to enter and exit.
The stage lighting is inadequate resulting in the drama group performing in dim light.
The audience sits on tiered bench seating that is immovable and uncomfortable and not appropriate for those with mobility issues.
Harris is rightfully proud of its music programme and developing dance and drama programmes.
Why then was the school built without the necessary facilities to allow these programmes to develop and flourish?
Those complicit in approving this design need to be made aware of the reality versus the rhetoric of their “flexible and adaptable teaching space” and make amends to the current design.
The performance facilities at the new Harris are inferior to those they replaced; this is not progress.
Susan McKenzie.
8 Richmond Terrace,
Dundee.
