Officials should not rely on public to nab law-breakers

OUR Mayor Tom Tate wants citizens/ratepayers/road users, to inform him of any “potholes in the roads, broken footpaths, footpaths lifting from GCCC’s tree planting forays” etc, so that his staff can take action.

I assume he would like the width, depth, circumference, distance from the kerb, distance from any other road markings, approximate amount of asphalt needed all noted, along with the street address, the position as close as possible to the nearest house/building number and then he’s going to send out about a dozen staff, tractors/diggers/traffic wardens/asphalt-laying vehicles to remedy the situation.

It seems the citizen/ratepayer/ road user has to do all the work first, barring laying the new asphalt. Maybe that comes next! Late last year I wrote to the

Gold Coast Bulletin, complaining about the numbers of vehicles illegally parked on the wrong sides of the street, parking on what are called “grass footpaths” in driveways past the property boundary lines, and which restricts views of oncoming vehicles; all of these actions are against GCCC Bylaws of one type or another.

Within a couple of weeks I received a letter from a GCCC councillor, but here’s the thing: could I supply the vehicle details, the time the offending vehicles are parked illegally, of which house the offending vehicles belong to, and details of the “best time” to catch these vehicles in the wrong place, so that a council inspector could be dispatched to deal with the problems.

Knowing that I stated multiple by-laws are being broken by multiple neighbours, why couldn’t a council inspector do their job and simply be dispatched to deal with it, without me having to actively “dob in my neighbours”?

I am not going to do the 99 per cent of their jobs they want me to do so that they can do their paltry 1 per cent.

Another aspect of this involves the contractors who mow the nature strips and grassed areas, who are unable to do their job properly due to the fact that there are so many vehicles illegally parked on these areas.

Why can’t these contractors “issue tickets” to vehicles parked illegally which are stopping them from completing their job?

My street is certainly not an isolated one with this problem.

If the GCCC is of the opinion that it’s not worth their time or energy to enforce these matters then give the job to a group within the community to enforce and let’s see the revenue raised from these “law-breakers” go to help one of the many community organisations who get no help from any level of government and are desperate for financial assistance.

GAEL BEALE, MAUDSLAND

IT’S no wonder that many non-pet owners get upset with some dog owners.

Those are the minority of dog owners who walk ahead of their unleashed pet and refuse to turn to check if the animal has fouled the paths. The ones who pick up their dog’s poop, then throw the packaged bundle into somebody else’s garden, or property, or hang it on trees or simply drop it on the ground because they don’t want it in their own garbage.

They don’t deserve to own a dog if they refuse to be responsible for it, and they just cause resentment against responsible owners.

It’s time to crack down on them somehow.

IAN TIMMINS, MERMAID BEACH

WEALTHY film-producer mogul Harvey Weinstein is finally facing justice and his accusers, despite his top defence team and years of cunning avoidance tactics. The same defence team securing the release from prosecution of O.J. Simpson, has failed Weinstein.

Jeffrey Epstein was another who was finally caught and paid the ultimate price, despite his wealth, remaining unchallenged after decades of predatory behaviour.

The media and the FBI have not let up on Epstein’s associates, going after them one at a time.

The ABC’s programme Four

Corners has again highlighted the demise of Epstein and his association with Prince Andrew.

While Prince Andrew hides in

the UK, protected by his royal status, he repeatedly denies any accusations by the women who were Epstein’s puppets.

There is a conspiracy of silence which pervades any untoward behaviours of wealthy men in powerful positions, distancing themselves from any association which condemns them as criminals and predators. It has been so since the dawn of time.

This is an era of revelations and uncovering of the exploitation of women.

Globally, women finally are taken seriously and have a voice.

The revolution has begun. Men who destroy innocence and terrorise the vulnerable are being called to account, despite their status and the cultural conspiracy which has protected them for generations.

ELOISE ROWE, TANNUM SANDS

SOMETHING has to done about youth crime, maybe having the parents pay is not the answer, but those rubbishing this idea offer no alternative.

It’s obvious the catch-and-release method is doing nothing to protect the victims and no conviction because it may affect the perpetrator in later life is a complete nonsense as the victims of their violence are affected for life.

Removal of the judges and magistrates who are incapable of protecting us would be a great start.

This present State Government has not helped one bit, but with a election drawing close it is making

the usual noises which never comes to anything helpful.

Maybe their removal will help to make us safe.

ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE

I SUGGEST that Ken Wade 5/3) do his research a little better.

Global sea levels have risen 7.62cm in the last 25 years and it is currently on a yearly average rise of 3.2mm.

Ken quotes Sydney Harbour measurements showing a rise of 2cm since 1952! However, this is not a scientifically dedicated measurement and the equipment used at Fort Dennison is considered to be scientifically obsolete.

This doesn’t stop people grasping the inaccurate measurements and promoting them as factual.

All scientifically dedicated sea level measurements are done by satellite in our modern world.

With regard to global temperature increases, your 1C rise is correct and scientists consider this to be catastrophic and obviously is the primary cause of the sea level rises we are seeing.

As for the “pretend” scientists that Ken claims are the ones behind the climate change facts, I’m sure the CSIRO, IPCC and NASA scientists, just to name a few worldrenowned scientific bodies, would not be pleased at your assessment.

Maybe it’s time to support scientists rather than denigrate them.

The colleagues of those very same scientists that you cheaply dismiss, are working hard right (GCB, now to get a vaccine for COVID-19.

I wonder if you will believe them when they claim to have a vaccine or better still will you line up for the vaccine?

JIM TAYLOR, MUDGEERABA

AS a resident of Division 14, I applaud the announcement of Gloria Baker, the candidate for the division, that there should be a feasibility study conducted on building a “green” multi-level car park above the existing ground level park at the southern back of Griffith St, Coolangatta.

Ms Baker identified that the reason businesses in Coolangatta are struggling and failing is that there is increasingly nowhere for potential customers of its shops to park.

Add to this the push by the Tweed Chamber of Commerce to upgrade Jack Evans Boat Harbour into a “Southbank-style destination” and the need for a multilevel car park in Coolangatta becomes critical.

It is to be hoped that Ms Baker, an experienced business owner and former regional economic development officer, will be elected and have the study conducted, with the assistance of council.

This is the type of solution Coolangatta needs to create and preserve businesses and jobs. It is the historical capital of the southern Gold Coast and badly needs Ms Baker’s commitment to the Division 14 businesses and residents.

JIM WILSON, TALLEBUDGERA