Friday, March 10, 2006
Shambolic council parking fiasco
YET another detractor (Barrack Room Lawyer, Echo Letters, March 2) is desperate to shore up Sunderland Council's crumbling and shambolic parking fiasco and is yet another one hiding behind anonymity.
I don't think the Echo's readers are that easily duped. They can see what the agenda is and will have their own suspicions as to who is behind the rebuttal and disinformation operation.
First of all, the legal views Barrack Room Lawyer refers to were not mine but that of the National Parking Adjudication Service in the case of Macarthur v Bury, whereby tickets without date of issue (as well as the date of contravention) were deemed to be prejudicial.
Barrack Room Lawyer states the adjudicator did not conclude such a ticket was void.
If that is the case why did Sunderland City Council's legal team, upon sight of the NPAS decision, advise Parking Services and NCP to change the wording of the tickets immediately?
More importantly, why were the tickets not changed for some five months and why did NCP continue to issue, despite the explicit instruction from the council?
However, there is another adjudication body which handles decriminalised parking offences in London.
The Parking and Traffic Appeals Service (PTAS) has recently adjudicated on the case of Moses v Barnet.
Again, as in the case of Sunderland's tickets up until recently, the tickets in Barnet only stated the date of the parking infringement, not the date on which the ticket was issued.
The adjudicator, Timothy Thorne, argued that "this was against the law."
So there we have it, Mr Barrack Room Lawyer. An adjudicator, Timothy Thorne, not Neil Herron, has stated that a ticket without a date of issue is against the law.
Dare I rest my case?
Neil Herron,
Sunderland
Why miles are far better by miles
IN CASE any arguments develop between the "kilometre or miles" pundits I am in full support of our metric martyrs. Being different is what separates our island from the rest – a cut above the rest, I might add.
Now let me whisper a few facts into your shell-likes.
Our first roads 2,000 years ago were measured in miles (continental ones!). The length of a Roman mile (mille) is simply 1,000 paces, a pace being two steps, approximately five feet. The average length of a full-grown male foot is about 12 inches.
As schoolkids before the war we had to wrestle with fathoms, poles, chains, perches and roods. The height of a horse is measured in hands.
Thereby lies the problem: all those measurements are biological and although they sound romantic they cannot be accurate. Of course, we produced standard measurements from all that, but it was the French who got really scientific in 1791 when they invented the metre.
By dividing a line round the circumference of the Earth between the poles through Paris by 40,000,000 (40 million) they came up with a convenient size unit which they named metre from the Greek word metron, meaning measure.
About 100 years earlier (1675) a survey had been carried out for King Charles II by John Ogilby, the King's cosmographer, presumably with a view to exacting tolls from turnpike trusts. There was no DVLA in those days! The measured mile in this survey was 1,760 yards, a measurement that all the school kids of my day could pull out of the air. Kilometres? You can stick 'em!
Dennis Bulmer,
Fulwell,
Sunderland
Where has all the caring gone?
BEFORE socialism died in 1997 we were promised a protected life from the cradle to the grave.
This still applies in Scotland and eventually will in Wales and Northern Ireland.
In England, teenagers wishing for a university education need to get a bank loan and young couples often cannot afford children if they wish to have their own home.
For some, after the kids have left home, it was (and is) too expensive to stay in the family home. It is also very inefficient.
So for decades a system of sheltered accommodation was developed. This included a fixed charge for overheads (including power supplies) and a live-in warden to oversee tenants.
Home helps were free for a long time. Care homes were, and are, for the less healthy. All are in decline, a soft target, as are our hospitals and asylums, often because of debt.
Our state education system is being handed over to religious orders, financiers and money lenders.
As regionalism takes hold in England, with a shrinking public purse, anyone who can should move to the Celtic fringes before the next slump.
F Evans,
Southwick
Tom's defence of Labour is 'naive'
WHILE defending a friend is commendable, Old Tom's sycophantic defence of W Quinn's rose-tinted view of New Labour is naive in the extreme (Letters, February 22).
He claims that "The political facts in his (W Quinn's) somewhat educational correspondence are obviously authentic".
Good grief, this about someone who called the snake oil salesman and arch warmonger of Downing Street "the great man".
W Quinn's poor judgment also extends to his opinions on "tax and waste" Brown.
This Chancellor is surrounded by more black holes than Captain Kirk of the Enterprise. No wonder he is so desperate to jump ship from the Treasury.
Old Tom's objection to W Quinn being described as a sophist is mistaken, as this fits like a glove.
"Apologist" would also sit well. After all, it was W Quinn who claimed Brown had lifted millions of pensioners out of poverty.
In fact, he has achieved the opposite with his 5billion-per-year tax-grab on pension funds and his presiding over an increase in excess of 130 per cent in local rates charges.
A Wright,
Barnes View
'A great local pub'
HAVING just read the article "Pub makes our lives hell, says neighbours," published on March 1, I feel much dismay and anger by comments made.
I am a local resident and also a local drinker in Taylors and I feel outraged to be labelled a "rowdy reveller" and accused of giving out "verbal abuse" to the same neighbours that I used to enjoy a quiet pint with.
The only crime that has happened within the last 10 years is an influx of inexperienced tenants who have almost killed off trade.
The new manageress has come in and I, for one, think she should be given the chance to return the pub back to how it was – a local pub for local people and an atmosphere local residents and drinkers can be proud of.
A Disgruntled Drinker
Tribunal decision 'beggars belief'
THE Echo of March 2 reported on the award of 65,000 to a man who took a paid job while on sick leave from Nissan and on full company sick pay.
This individual was given full support by his union Amicus and legal representatives employed by them when he appeared in front of a tribunal claiming he was unfairly dismissed by Nissan.
The decision of the tribunal to rule in favour of that individual sums up all that is wrong in this region.
His union representative claimed that his member had been vindicated. Is this man for real? This remark and the decision of the tribunal to rule in favour of Brian Murphy beggars belief.
Such decisions send out the wrong signals.
Edmund Burke,
St Cuthbert's Society,
University of Durham
Learn a bit of respect for elders
TO the yob who is Glad 2 B Young,
it's very obvious you have no respect, not even for yourself.
Read this and read it very carefully. There is nothing so certain in life as growing old and eventually death.
Good looks and vitality fade very quickly, as you will find out.
Are you scared to give your name, age or gender, male or female, or are you a bit of both?
Do you put your mother, father, grandparents in the same category you wrote about?
For myself, I worked very hard, like millions of pensioners.
Some millions who did not become pensioners gave their lives for the likes of you, who begrudge what little pleasure they have, such as bingo, swimming or whatever.
We pensioners don't want free bus fares. Give it to the likes of you, who think the world owes you a living.
Give the likes of you free taxis and pizza to keep your vitality up to standard so you can sleep all day, get your grants off the state and spend it in the bars and nightclubs.
You would not have made it in the old days with your ignorant attitude.
I have been in many foreign fields such as jungles and deserts, and NOT for picnics.
I have seen things that would make you, and I mean you Glad 2 B Young, cringe and cower.
It makes you old before your time but it makes you wiser, more tolerant and respectful to others, something you are not.
I don't mean all young people, as 99.9 per cent are great. I just mean the hypocritical mordant yob who has nothing for brains.
Mick Cuthbertson,
Southwick,
Sunderland
We are not all rude
I would just like to say to Glad 2 B Young, please don't class all old people as moaners and rude.
I am in my 95th year, I don't drink, smoke or go to bingo.
As for free teeth, glasses and bus pass, I have only once had a free bus pass and never had free teeth or glasses.
Granted, I get the allowance for heating and TV licence but I didn't moan to get them, though I'm very grateful.
As for being rude, not all of us are rude. When my brother, sisters and I were young we were always taught to say please and thank you.
We never left a meal table until we asked "may we do so" to our father or mother and we were never allowed to answer back but to honour them.
Because I have been careful throughout my life I can't get other help as I have saved my pennies since working from 14 years old, having to go to work in London from the age of 15 and look after myself.
So Glad 2B Young, I wish I could talk to you face-to-face as perhaps you wouldn't class all old people the same.
You may be old one day. What then?
Old but not senile
You should have lived through war
I FEEL I must reply to the letter in your column February 23 from Glad to B Young.
How dare she say pensioners have demanded a free bus pass. Most of my friends and I would prefer to pay if it means depriving other people, as we are have compassion, which is something this individual seems to lack.
It seems she has not been educated on the war years. She thinks it was the "good old days" when our men were sent away to fight a war so she could have the life of Riley?
How lucky is she to be able to attend school until she is 18. I had to leave school when I was 14 and get a job to keep myself.
In those days we got nothing out of the system until we had paid something in.
She's obviously living off the taxes I have paid in over the years.
I am pleased that young people are so well provided for, including my own grandchildren.
I would hate to think they were deprived like we were when young. After all, there are some nice young people in the world. They are not all self-centred like Glad to B Young.
Regarding the odd air raid she referred to, I don't think she would have liked getting up two or three times during the night when bombs were dropping and then get up and walk to work the next morning.
I also do not think she would be pleased with food and clothing being rationed, things they all take for granted these days.
I have no qualms picking my pension up as I reckon I have paid my share into the system over the year.
Workaholic pensioner
All good things end
IN reply to Glad 2 B Young Feb 23. This person doesn't sound very glad to me – they sound very bitter and twisted.
All pensioners are not the same. In fact, I would say the ones described in your letter are very rare.
My husband has worked all his life and has never claimed unemployment benefits and always paid taxes.
We don't complain it gets you nowhere.
As for free bus passes, get your facts right. Blame the Government, not the pensioners.
As for being jealous of your good looks and vitality, don't forget all good things come to an end, as you will find out one day.
A Young Pensioner
You might be a pensioner one day
BEING a pensioner I just had to reply to the article in your paper from a moaning minny about free transport for pensioners.
As you know, most of us have worked all our lives for a mere pittance – not like some people, who can come in to our country and receive everything for nothing without ever having contributed.
As for rude pensioners, well it takes all kinds to make up this world and not all pensioners are bingo-mad. A good lot are too busy helping their grandchildren.
The moaner said it looks like we receive too much as pensioners. I wonder how he will feel if whatever we receive disappears by the time he reaches pensionable age.
One day, if you are unlucky enough, you might be in line to receive what a pensioner receives and I wonder how you will fair on that.
Of course they receive help with fuel, but then they're at an age where they are sitting in their homes during cold weather. Not everyone is able to go to the bingo or be active. In fact some can't enjoy their retirement due to bad health.
So whatever comes up don't knock the pensioner as it might be happening to you one day. A lot of people fought for our pensions and are still fighting for them. In fact, the situation is getting worse now.
Don't blame Governments, remember it's the ones that are complaining that decided our future and you could end up being your own enemy.
R Scott,
South Hylton
Think of chicanes, not road humps
WHERE does our council get the crazy idea from that humps are needed to slow traffic?
Many towns are removing humps and using chicanes instead. A bus firm will axe a route in Sheffield unless the council removes the humps. Bus drivers in Reading threatened to strike because their routes take them over more than 1,000 humps per day.
How many more times do ambulance drivers have to complain that patients have died because humps have stopped them getting to hospital in time?
Our area in Millfield is a low traffic area with not many children and lots of older residents.
The humps' charade started in 2001 and the council have done absolutely nothing in the past five years to slow traffic in our area.
That is how confident they are that our area of Millfield does not need humps or anything else! Do I need to say more?
Marjorie Matthews,
Millfield
Let them pay for their incompetence
IF Sunderland councillors are paying 1million in consultancy fees, why do we need councillors?
It would be interesting to know if the councillors responsible will forfeit their expenses instead of us residents paying taxes for their obvious incompetence in running this city.
Mrs J Munro,
High Barnes,
Sunderland
WE would like, once again, to thank everyone in our area who has helped this branch in caring for the many animals who need us. The branch continues to care for as many animals as possible.
Recently we have received a lot of assistance from a local-based charity called Animal Krackers.
They sponsor several cat pens at the boarding establishment we use, help with fund-raising, attend RSPCA courses and provide donated cat food for our fostered cats, among other things.
More animals benefit if charities co-operate with each other and work towards one aim – animal welfare.
There is room for us all and we all have a part to play. Each branch of the RSPCA is autonomous, which means we have to raise our own funds to carry out our animal welfare.
We do benefit from the support of headquarters, who provide the inspectorate, animal collecting officers and education.
We all make up The RSPCA. Any help given from any source becomes a "lifesaver".
Thank you, on behalf of animals alive and well today because of you.
A Copeman,
Branch secretary,
RSPCA Sunderland and District Branch
ON Monday February 27 I lost a very substantial cheque in the civic centre area.
This led to the most stressful day I've ever had.
On my return to the civic centre by chance I enquired at reception and to my delight the lost cheque had been handed in.
Whoever kindly handed it in didn't leave any contact details.
I would really like to personally thank you, so please get in touch. My number is 07711 824787. I will gladly call you back so that you do not incur any expense.
David Hall,
MY husband and I would like to thank the two women who came to my daughter's assistance when she fell outside Barclays Bank at Southwick.
Thank you for your care and honesty. Rachel is now recovering. Kind regards and many thanks.
Mr and Mrs Rayne
WE would like to express our appreciation to all the staff on Ward F63 at Sunderland Royal Hospital for caring for our son Cain, who needed a pin in his hip after an accident while playing football.
Special thanks to Dr Sirrit, the nurses in recovery and also Elaine and Victoria.
Thank you for all your dedication, support, and hard work. We are so grateful.
Mr and Mrs Clark,
Seaham
THE way to differentiate a cake from a biscuit is that a cake goes hard when it goes stale and a biscuit softens. Therefore a Jaffa Cake is indeed a cake.
Lorna Gillan
I WOULD like to thank all my family and friends for making our Golden Wedding anniversary party so good, and thanks very much for the money for charity, which came to 260. I wish you all good health and God bless you all.
Peggy and Ken Johnson
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Print this page- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
