SIR, – With regard to “Villagers want spy camera taken away at Elgol on Skye” (Press and Journal, July 7), I can understand their feelings. But the place that they are needed most is at the Kyle side of the bridge.
Since the toll house and gates were removed there has been no checks on who comes to and who goes from the island.
As crime is on the increase on our island, a bridge without tolls means that the island is open to all just like on any other road. Skye used to be one of the safest areas in the region but the lifting of the tolls has meant that there are now fewer checks.
Lawrence Broderick,
Camus Croise, Sleat, Skye.
SIR, – With reference to your article about the playful painter of Mull (P&J July 10), it’s great, it’s fun, it’s colourful and it made people stop and look. I cannot believe anybody could be so small minded as to complain.
If they want to complain, complain about the state of the roads, the wobbly knee’d local councillors that won’t stand up for local issues, complain about the slap-happy planning and the builders, and developers that are doing their best to spoil this island. Don’t complain about a bit of fun. Go for it Hugh, keep splashing that paint on.
Dave Mountifield,
Glen Forsa, Mull.
SIR, – I write with regard to the job cuts that are due to happen because of the mess Aberdeen City Council has got itself into.
To be fair to workers at the sharp end, maybe the job cuts should start at the top, with those responsible for the fiasco going first and working down the “fat cat” chain.
Gerald Stack,
Parnassus Gardens, Fyvie.
SIR, – I wish to respond after the P&J's article (July 8) about the threat of more than 1,000 council job losses in the wake of Aberdeen City Council’s mismanagement.
What has this council and previous administrations been doing in one of the wealthiest cities of the country?
What amazes me is the lack of humility and responsibility shown by council leaders, with no clear unequivocal regret about the harm to citizens and the damage to the city.
Aberdeen used to be a fair and beautiful city. Successive administrations have changed the character and appearance of the city.
Where has all the money gone? It clearly went on inappropriate projects.
Now we have a massive deficit and those most vulnerable have to pay for past mistakes.
But we seem to have considerable money to pay “experts”, “consultants” and “advisers” to sort out the problems that existing council leaders and senior officers cannot solve. It is time for some self-reflection and some big changes – otherwise we are doomed.
We need caring, upright people with vision, ability, insight, compassion and a sense of duty if we are to recover.
Dirk Nikodem,
Milltimber Brae East,
Aberdeen.
SIR, – Regarding your article (Press and Journal, July 10) on new road tax for high CO emissions vehicles.
You quoted a spokesman for Friends of the Earth, Simon Bullock, welcoming the scrapping of old cars and people encouraged to buy new ones. Does he think people buy second-hand cars out of choice?
How much CO emissions does it take to recycle an old car? And how much more to build a new one?
Think of the CO emission to build the factory, thousands of people probably driving to work in the factory, power consumed and depletion of raw materials used. This is only another stealth tax.
Alistair Duff,
Longmorn, Elgin.
SIR, – As I sit here at 2am in my study, trying to finish a novel, what can I hear outside?
Not an owl or some other night bird but the wailing of high-revving cars with silencers removed or not working and motorcycles noisily racing about like chainsaws on acid.
Added to this cacophony of intrusive, grating noise is the sound of aircraft.
What is going on with Aberdeen and antisocial noise?
I wrote to the chief constable asking for speed cameras on Anderson Drive and Seafield Road but he referred me to Aberdeen City Council who, in turn, did nothing.
Any suggestions from others who feel they should not have to wear earplugs in their own homes?
Lance Black,
Seafield Road, Aberdeen.
SIR, – I follow with interest, news of the appointment of Alasdair Morrison, the former Labour MSP for the Western Isles, as chairman of MG Alba (Press and Journal July 10).
Internecine innuendo, interspersed by possible political preferences, appears to me to dampen the dedication and devotion the new chairman has always demonstrated. This devotion was shown in his days of Gaelic broadcasting, where I had met him, and in the role of representing fellow islanders, of which I am one, in parliament.
Regardless of Culture Minister Linda Fabiani’s “serious concerns”, I have not heard any adverse comments among my circle of Gaelic enthusiasts following the new appointment.
On the contrary, I have deduced a degree of delight, the consensus being that here, at least, is a man of above-average ability and articulation – whom we already know.
In any case, the proper panel was in place, including an independent assessor from the office of the Commission of Public Appointments. The appointment, appropriately, was approved by the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Norman Macmillan,
Glenurquhart Road,
Inverness.