Calls for tougher laws a courageous stance
I strongly applaud Pastor Cotton [ Pastor pushes for law change, Maitland Mercury, July 27] for his courage in addressing a very serious failing by his fellow ministers.
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It is a mystery to me that his fellow ministers will not protect the most vulnerable among us from the vile practices which seem to be so freely indulged in by their contemporaries. I agree with him that the penalties for those who protect these murderers of the spirit should reflect the seriousness of their crimes.
Bill Cummins
Paterson
Stubborn seating impractical for seniors
At about 1pm on July 26 there was no one in The Levee using any of the 26 cement blocks with wooden seating on them.
The seniors I have spoken to have said they are too low and they cannot get up off them. That said, the seats cannot be shifted for any functions you may want to hold there.
Then we have the heritage lights set right in the middle of The Levee – I wonder if The Levee planners bolted their chairs and tables to the floor, what their partners’ reactions would be?
John Lee
Maitland
Fair shake of the sauce bottled denied to Rudd
I must declare that I have no vested interest in former PM Rudd's nomination to the UN Secretary-General position nor I belong to any political party.
There are two different issues here: firstly, the criteria for nomination, and second, the criteria for the job.
Like Foreign Minister Bishop, I do believe Mr Rudd is qualified to be nominated. In any case, no other Australian has put up his or her hand for the nomination.
Whom will be selected to the job of Secretary-General, is to be determined by the UN and specially the 5 permanent members of the UN.
Therefore, I find it hard to understand why PM Turnbull said “Mr Rudd is ‘unsuitable’ for the job”. PM Turnbull has single handedly pre-empted an UN decision, and prevented a fellow Aussie to have a fair shake of the sauce bottle on the world stage.
Ernest To
Medowie
Open spaces needed for wildlife, not development
The proposed area for development at [Morpeth] is part of the water catchment which is used by all the water birds at the Common [Division over Morpeth plan, Maitland Mercury, July 29].
Run off would destroy this environment.
Any day of the week there are little children feeding the ducks. Photographers come here for special shots of rare birds with easy access.
For the sake of dollars in developers' pockets, why should this public amenity be ruined and taken away? Why should so many birds and frogs have their habitat eradicated?
Just what 'interest' do the mayor and deputy mayor have in this development?
Dog walkers, bike riders, picnickers, photographers and families having a kick around with a ball need clean open spaces like the Common for recreation.
Carolyn Gilholme
Tip fees too much for residents
I'm no longer living in Maitland LGA and sympathise with those affected.
It's a problem in other council areas as well. I'm a 5 minute walk from a national park and the amount of rubbish dumped in the bush is terrible.Tip fees are prohibitive for most people. It's ridiculous.
Ellen Seymour
