ESD critiques tiresome
We would like to respond to Mr. Pitards letter dated the 17th of February.
We are busy people as we have a dam to build, so we will keep it brief.
Unfortunately we fell asleep after the first two paragraphs.
So we will respond accordingly.
The Granite Belt is a very lucky region to have so many self proclaimed expert dam builders.
It is sadly regrettable that none of them have ever been heard of in the professional world.
To continually try and discredit a world renowned company like Jacobs has become tiresome.
They deemed the project viable so deal with it.
If this small group of experts could take the time to actually come up with their own costed and extensively researched alternatives they may be taken more seriously.
Till then looking forward to the first soil being turned and them actively chaining themselves to a few trees for everyone’s entertainment. But that would actually take up some of their own personal time so it most probably would not happen.
Best regards,
The Emu Swamp Brigade
Show some respect
Once again I am confronted in your Opinion Section by a letter, which takes aim at one of the Southern Downs Regional Councillors in a very personal and defamatory manner.
If there is to be debate on important issues and if we, as a community, are to benefit from the work of our elected representatives, then some respect must be shown along the way.
To take aim at Councillor McNally because she is self-funding a visit to Airlie Beach to attend the Local Government Women’s Association Conference and to spin this out into an anti-feminist rant is ridiculous.
To suggest that her commitment to gender equity and the rights of women is connected to her loss of the Deputy Mayoral status is, to say the least, childish.
Thank goodness we have people to represent us who have values from which we can all benefit, if we have a mind to listen first and then respond. It does no good to attack in this very personal and defamatory way.
I would remind E. Smith, whoever she is, that the people of the Southern Downs have elected Councillor McNally and that there will be an opportunity to register her concerns at the ballot box.
In the meantime she would do well to engage in a much more respectful dialogue so that progress may be made and the politics of personality can be left out of it.
John Lucas
A ‘political hit’ rather than a genuine opinion
Re: Ms. Smith’s letter: Councillor McNally’s attendance at a Local Government Womens Conference is by any reasonable consideration entirely appropriate and, in fact, commendable in that she paid her own expenses and is making an effort to broaden her understanding of a legitimate council and public issue.
And most publicly aware and fair minded people would fully support Councillor McNally’s attending a public meeting regarding the lack of equitable representation of women in Federal parliament.
As we live in a democracy and this issue is significant in the public domain, I think it strange that Ms Smith gives any thought to any councillor’s attendance at such an event.
Ms Smith’s ignoring of the context of the event and then assumption of relevance to SDRC is not based on any evidence she has offered.
Of more concern with Ms Smith’s letter is what appears to be a toxic comment about Councillor McNally’s need for temporary leave from official council duties.
I don’t know nor wish to know the reason for Councillor McNally’s leave because I believe personal matters are not the public’s business.
Family matters, health reasons or whatever, it is Councillor McNalley and SDRC’s business and her leave was obviously legitimate and appropriately approved by council.
In her letter Ms Smith has distorted and drawn some quite vindictive assumptions from certain events which leads me to wonder whether her letter is actually a ‘political hit’ rather that a genuine opinion of a fair dinkum person?
John Morison
We should be embracing more diversity
I write regarding the letter to the Editor “Cr McNally – Feminist champion or aggrieved ex-Deputy Mayor” by “E. Smith” (17/2).
It was extremely disappointing to read such vitriol included in the paper, normalising abuse directed towards women in public office.
Public trolling does not contribute to the discourse, and “E. Smith” obviously has a personal vendetta against C McNally.
Women in positions of power are subjected to abuse constantly and it has a known stifling effect on democracy.
Having leaders with mixed backgrounds, genders and ethnicity has been proven to make for better decisions and results in a range of businesses and offices. We should be embracing more diversity, not cutting down tall poppies.
If people are willing to be so hateful publicly (and be rewarded for their hate by being published) then I shudder to think how much worse abuse Cr McNallly receives in private.
Name withheld, Stanthorpe
Wonderful Warwick
As an 87-year-old pedestrian, I wait at the crossings on Palmerin Street for cars to pass, but most times the cars stop for me – would only happen in Warwick.
However, when I wave my thanks to the lovely, kind, patient driver, endorphins kick in, and I feel an overwhelming sense of happiness, and count my blessings to be living in wonderful Warwick.
Thank you.
Warwick C.B.D signage
The Editor,
I am writing to voice my opinion of the perceived confusion regarding the signage in the C.B.D, when the sign clearly says ‘Pedestrians Give Way to Vehicles’, I fail to see any confusion in this very clear message.
My observation has been even when pedestrians do wait then the cars stop.
I feel the only confusion occurs when pedestrians mistake the white stripes on the speed at roundabouts as a pedestrian crossing.
My understanding of roundabouts is they were installed to keep the traffic flowing, not to have pedestrians walk across them forcing traffic to back up on the roundabout.
The signage needs to be visible or permanent at all sites, especially roundabouts.
Yours faithfully,
An exasperated citizen.
