Letters - June 30
The longer the saga of MPs' expenses goes on, the more sordid and shameful it gets.
The recent publication of claims on the web has served to increase our distrust of MPs because of the blacking out of details that the public have a right to know.
This excessive censorship marks a dark day for democracy, freedom of information and confidence in our political leadership. MPs appear to be incapable of realising that this censorship was bound to increase
distrust not decrease it!
We now learn that almost half a million pounds in expenses has been repaid by MPs, the majority of whom claim they made "an honest error".
One can only say to these MPs that if you are telling the truth, then your level of
incompetence makes you unfit to be an MP.
MPs should drop the noble platitudes and admit that their approach to their job is "what's in it for me?"
Several MPs who now claim they are
delighted the details of expenses are in the public domain are the same ones who voted to prevent this happening!
How can we have any faith in such people?
The truth is that the Mother of
Parliaments has become a den of thieves and scoundrels.
It is scandalous that we have to wait until next year to make our feelings known at the ballot box.
At the General Election we must not
support sitting members, whatever their party.
We must clear them all out.
They have brought shame and disgrace to our parliamentary system.
Barry Clayton
Fieldfare Close, Cleveleys
Bus service is vital and must be saved
Blackpool councillors are being asked by a member of the paid
services within the council, to axe funding for the RideAbility
disabled services.
I hope the Leader of the Council, Peter Callow, will give this some serious thought.
I say to him, charity starts at home.
Last week was armed forces week when Blackpool rightly put out a welcome to the armed forces.
Many of this age group rely on the RideAbility services, as they suffer from a wide range of
disorders and isolation.
Their social and domestic lives would be put in turmoil should this sort of short-sighted action be passed.
I personally know of two
females well into their nineties, whose only pleasure away from their one-room accommodation, is a trip to the market or to bingo.
Both meet up with regulars on the bus and engage in conversation. The drivers, who are all
dedicated people, bend over
backwards to assist them.
This sort of service cannot be measured in pounds, shillings and pence.
Other councils in Lancashire have similar services and organise trips out. You see many on the Fylde coast.
RideAbility has had all these valued sort of trips cut already. Only one bus runs now on a
Saturday, when not so long ago, two of their buses used to be well used.
Taxis could not do this sort of service. It would be too costly and passengers would certainly not get the dedicated care.
I say to the Blackpool Councillors, let these people continue with their independence, they don't want to go into care homes. May common sense prevail.
name and Address Supplied
Falls fear
I and many more
residents have fallen over poorly paved areas in Blackpool.
Anyone walking and not putting their head down and looking where they are treading is
vulnerable.
It is time some of the wasted money was spent on essential things, like pavements and side roads.
Fancy things can wait their turn.
Mrs Davies
Sandgate
Blackpool
Scaffolding is a real waste
Tired of seeing the two
buildings at the entrance to
Ashton Gardens covered in
netting and scaffolding, I called at the council office in Clifton Drive and asked why no work appeared to have been done for at least two months.
First they said it was because of the weather, then they said the work would be finished within two weeks. It seems to me the height of inefficiency to start a job and leave it disfiguring the landscape for months on end.
Humphrey Moon
St Davids Road South
St Annes
Police bonuses are better spent
Regarding the bonuses for top police offices, I think this is
scandalous in the present
recession. We all know that they are the ones at the helm, but it's the lads and lasses who are on the beat.
This money would be better spent on subsidising the elderly in keeping their RideAbility bus service. The majority of these people survive on a crust.
Derek Mayes
Wharfedale Avenue
Thornton
School event was fantastic
I had a leaflet put through my door regarding WOW Week at Millfield School, Thornton. Being a local resident, a widower of 92 years of age, my son took me to visit their conservation garden.
The school children and
students were so enthusiastic showing us round, there was also a pond for wildlife research and a display of Raido Taisou which the students had won an award for. We both left thinking this is the way to bring up children and students to appreciate the environment and the need for trees and wild life conservation.
Hopefully there will be another open day for more people to
appreciate this.
Mrs M Cook
Blackpool
Horse mess has to be cleaned
I write to say that while
responsible dog walkers have to pick up their dogs droppings, is it not fair to say that horse riders should be made to do the same?
This is especially important on the public right of way.
I came across one example of horse droppings being left behind recently opposite Kincraig Infants School and Nursery.
It's a disgrace. Children and parents use this crossing at school times and it's very busy.
Can the council not put up
notices – no fouling whatsoever – and if they do foul they should be made to clean up.
It is only fair the same rules should apply to all.
What a disgrace.
Mr J A Whittaker
Ashfield Road
Bispham
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
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