On other matters

I would like to thank the kind and caring passers-by who stopped to help after the traffic accident last Thursday morning (2/8) at the corner of Reservoir and Brinsmead roads. In particular, the man in the Harley Davidson T-shirt and Anita the cyclist whose support and assistance were crucial and much appreciated at a very distressing time. Jeannette, Caravonica Interesting to see the residents of Paradise Palms crying tears about losing their peaceful backyard to development. Where have they been the last 27 years to support this championship golf course and resort? Maybe if they were willing to spend some time and support this “commercial venture” they may still have been able to enjoy their backyard, which was being subsidised by all the previous owners’ lost profits. GM, Cairns Brisbane centric Labor members pushing for a second casino. No one local has been consulted — just being told as usual by those in the southeast corner what is “good” for FNQ. Definitely not a need for a second casino on that port site. Bev, Atherton How can politicians of all persuasions sleep at night when they afford themselves a pay rise of up to $7000 a week and have the sheer audacity to give pensioners an increase of $4.80? Most pensioners would prefer not to get a pittance when the duopolies who actually run this country, up their prices. To many of us “life is like a swimming pool”, just as you get both hands on the side of the pool, someone will stand on your hands. Icarus, Atherton To our government. What are we missing? Why is it so perfectly OK for developers to clear land in southeast Queensland that is part of our fast-dwindling koala habitat to build shopping centres, but it is not permissible for farmers outside that same region to clear land to grow food crops? Rhonda, Caravonica Here’s a business plan Mayor Bob (Manning). If one full-time working ratepayer can collect a fullsize bin chockers with street litter in 1½ hours of leisure time per week, imagine what a dedicated ganger and two work for the dole people could do in 90 hours per week. I would be out of a job, the streets would be cleaner and just perhaps a sense of pride may return to this littered town. Greg, Manunda