Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Once again we near the time of the ”local elections”. However, with the change in voting system and the overbearance of political parties I feel the real meaning of local has been lost along with democracy.
I have always believed that local representatives should be part of the community they serve, with a shared experience of government; people who feel passionately about the environs and quality of life, not only for themselves but their fellow residents and voters.
They should be free-thinking individuals with a sound analytical and comparative mind and a talent for self-expression and persuasion.
Local government is the foundation of our democracy and the main principles have and should be based upon shared experience and freedom of thought.
The voters as we know have recently not shown the interest expected in local government elections and while this has to be seriously addressed, we give up the base principles of sharing within a community and freedom to think at our peril.
Alan Bell.Roods,Kirriemuir.
This is what will happen to our turbines too
Sir, – Donald Trump is coming to town and the renewables industry is getting worried.
Niall Stuart, the chief executive of the renewables industry body Scottish Renewables, is always quick to jump in with denials and loose statements.
This time he has excelled himself by saying of the Donald Trump advert that the photo of the rusting wind turbines was not taken in Scotland.
Niall Stuart said: ”If wind power is really impacting on Scotland’s landscape why did they have to go to America?”
Quite simple, Mr Stuart. That is what will happen in Scotland as soon as the politicians become honest and admit that wind turbines are an expensive luxury we cannot afford, especially since the planet refuses to warm as the zealots said it would.
As soon as subsidies are slashed the foreign developers will abandon the turbines and go home leaving Scotland with rusting monstrosities.
In America shale gas is fast making turbines obsolete so I suggest Mr Stuart starts looking for a new job in that industry.
Clark Cross.138 Springfield Road,Linlithgow.
Decision about station should not be rushed
Sir, – Would it not be more sensible and more democratic to leave decisions on Dundee station until after council elections on May 3 rather than rush to a decision at the present council’s final meeting?
As citizens we are going to have to live with this for many years so ‘Team Dundee’ must get this bit of the Waterfront Development right.
I like the ‘arch’ proposed by architects Nicholl Russell but I agree that the hotel stuck on top of it looks ‘plain and boxy’ (The Courier April 17, Hilton doubtful for new site), and note that your enquiries suggest developers may be looking for ‘a bigger development than offered by the elevated complex’.
Neil Robertson.4 Glamis Terrace,Dundee.
Enjoyed The Courier’s £12 golf offer
Sir, – May I congratulate The Courier on the recent golf for £12 offers? Myself and two friends played the big course at Letham Grange recently.
Hats off to the lady and gentleman who were manning the shop and trying to keep this place going very cheery and offering us the empty lounge to make our own coffee for a gratuity.
The course for this time of year was in great condition and this must be an absolute jewel in the golfing calendar for any local to play. A real test for any golfer.
The green staff were all cheery and keeping on top of the wet course.
Such a shame this once beautiful house is slowly deteriorating.
People should support this wonderful course and assist by paying for a round or two this year to try to assist the people who are endeavouring to keep it going at all costs.
We will be back this year.
Neil Robertson.Cortachy Crescent,Kirriemuir.
No hypocrisy
Sir, – In reply to Mr J. Smythe’s letter Hypocrisy over pensions (April 18), my Kirk pension is fully funded, based on the minimum stipend, retirement at 65, inflation increases not guaranteed and no-one was ever forced to contribute to it.
Council pensions are unfunded, paid directly from current taxation, based on final salary with built in guarantees and no-one is allowed to opt out of contributing.
Not much rambling or hypocrisy there, just some uncomfortable observations.
(Rev) John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Game changed
Sir, – Re I. Wheeler’s letter (April 18) in which he mentioned the Aston Villa/Man United game and the contentious penalty.
Surely if no penalty had been given play would have continued and the course of the game would have changed completely.
So Aston Villa were at a disadvantage. They might have won the game.
R Paterson.Maple Place,Perth.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.