SIR, – I refer to your story (the Press and Journal, May 27) headed “North councillor queries £100,000 Housing Expo cash pledge”.
I must congratulate Highland Councilor Glynis Sinclair for asking whether or not the taxpayers of the Highlands can afford a further £100,000 investment in the Scotland’s Housing Expo exhibition.
I do not think so. We, the taxpayers, are expected to accept cuts in frontline services, to subsidise a private housing fair.
Mrs Sinclair should watch out she does not meet the same fate as the provost of Nairn for speaking out against the self-aggrandisement of the Highland Council’s ruling cartel.
David McGrath,
151 Galloway Drive,
Culloden.
SIR, – The SNP government at Holyrood promised that it would ensure a steady stream of capital infrastructure works with its Scottish Futures Trust. While one might hope that this would manifest itself with dualling of the A9, for example, or much-needed school buildings, to date, The Scottish Futures Trust has not laid one single brick.
What the Scottish Futures Trust has done, however, is spend £1million on wages and £400,000 on consultants. The chief executive of this failed organisation earns £150,000 a year and managed to spend £55,200 on a recruitment agency to employ just nine staff members.
Meanwhile, 90 apprentices in the construction trade have lost their jobs in the Highlands and islands in the past year. What guarantee is that to young people who want to learn a skill in a trade that we know will be needed urgently in an economic recovery?
The electorate might wish to remember this when they see Highland Council's cuts being imposed over the next 12 months. The SNP tells us that it is Westminster cutting our budgets and causing so much upset among residents of old people's homes and users of swimming pools and libraries.
This wasted expenditure on a failed SNP project tells us a very different story, one that I'm sure is repeated elsewhere across Holyrood.
John Boocock,
Barbaraville,
Invergordon.
SIR, – I write regarding the civic square plan for Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens. This is truly beyond belief, and yet another reflection of our times.
We talk about positive change, and yet seem incapable of recognising the difference between positive, life-enhancing, relevant and scaled change and “more of the same” change, based on outdated ways of thinking and development for the sake of development (when all the evidence is that big is no longer right) which dampens the spirit, soul, heart and creative juices of the city.
A democracy? Please see Michael Moore's recent film on capitalism to understand more about the power process that runs behind our decision-makers, it seems in both public and private sectors.
It is a very sad day for Aberdeen to realise that the citizens are not heard, particularly with the vote down to the wire.
There was an opportunity to create something so much more, and it seems that the council has failed in its duty to serve in the best interests of the city and its citizens and, furthermore, to respond to and harness such a positive wave of energy to revitalise the gardens.
Morag Paterson,
28 College Bounds,
Old Aberdeen.
SIR, – I am researching my family history.
My great-grandfather was born Alexander Peddie in 1852, at Burghead, Moray.
Could any of your readers please assist me in finding some more information about my family? I know their history after they arrived in South Africa, but not much before that time.
I am planning to visit Elgin next year and would really like to trace the place where they lived and gather as much information as I can before I head for Scotland.
It has been a dream of mine for at least 40 years to follow in my family’s footsteps and I would really welcome information from sources in Burghead or surrounds to assist me in my endeavour.
Any help would be much appreciated. I can be contacted at the address below.
Brian Munro Peddie,
9 Kiwi Esplanade,
Mangere Bridge,
Manakau,
Auckland,
New Zealand.
SIR, – I saw Sir Terry Leahy’s findings in Tesco’s research of its customers’ opinions on binge drinking – that 70% thought excessive drinking was one of the most serious issues facing the country.
He also revealed that 61% were concerned about antisocial behaviour and more than half believed that the availability of cheap alcohol contributed significantly to the problem.
He summed up: “Commonsense tells us that price is a factor in excessive drinking.”
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon can now add the general public and a leading licensed grocer to her list of respected medical officers, the British Medical Association, public-health and social workers, the pub trade and some influential alcohol producers supporting minimum pricing of alcohol.
Mr Leahy, significantly, also said that price alone was unlikely to change the drinking culture in the UK. He then listed four other steps Tesco would take to try to help the situation.
I have not seen even one suggestion or idea from the main opposition parties or other detractors of minimum pricing to provide a silver bullet, or even a little nut that might help.
Dr J.F. Taylor,
Rosehaugh,
Rhynie.