I write in response to Jean Maree Gutiez-Christesen’s letter (‘90 years of service only to be cut down with contempt’, The Border Mail, December 29) regarding the removal of the trees in Griffith Street.
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It is a bit of a shame that the author did not read the full report on the road reconstruction, nor watch the debate on YouTube where Councillors expressed their regret at the removal of the trees.
But we accepted the decision of Council staff on the following basis:
1. The trees are starting to die, with disease evident, and our arborist expressed her opinion that the trees might have an extra life of no more than 10 years.
2. The reconstruction of Griffith Street is necessary, and if we do not remove the trees, the new work could be compromised when the trees do need to be pulled out.
3. The trees will be replaced, every one of them with a mature species, that will not compromise the road works in the future with root growth, but will grow to such an extent that with 10 years growth you will hardly know the difference from what it looks like now.
It is always a balancing act with issues such as this, but I am satisfied personally, as were all Councillors, that all options were considered, and that the proposed scope of work on the reconstruction of Griffith Street gives the best result for the street in the long term.
Henk van de Ven, Bungowannah
Pollies don’t get it
The current NSW government believes that there is no interest in increasing paramedic levels, according to the report in Saturday's Border Mail (‘Lives at risk because of neglected system’, December 30).
I was involved in health before I retired and still do volunteer work in the the relevant fields. One of my best friends is a retired paramedic and he has stated (and I agree) there can never be too many paramedics, hospitals, doctors, nurses, health care workers and supporters. Far better to have an oversupply than lose lives needlessly.
Why did my friend become a paramedic? He was a school teacher and spent one afternoon cradling a dying man in his arms at a railway crossing many years ago, and vowed to do something about it and joined the ambulance service. Incidentally, they go through a very, very difficult training process to succeed, something that politicians don't do and would have little understanding of.
There is far too much emphasis placed on the welfare system by right-wing politicians these days. People should have a right to expect help from their fellow country men and women, without being made to feel guilty. This is Australia, not America or some other backward ridiculous extremist country.
The thoughts of the extreme right and left don't belong anymore. So why do these pathetic politicians insist on clinging to them and nitpicking their opposition? People are so sick and tired of today's bunch of overpaid, political, nosepicking twits that they will vote for more Independents, and keep doing so ad infinitum.
Derek Robinson, Wodonga
No bats after fireworks
Looks like there will be no flying foxes/fruit bats around the Albury Showgrounds for a while now, after the New Year’s fireworks display on Sunday night. It's a wonder WIRES didn't complain, although myself, I think the fireworks were a waste of money and an unnecessary disturbance for anyone in close proximity trying to breed birds.