Good things can happen in uncertain times

Thanks to this Good Samaritan and his offsider, the Policeman, the flat tyre got changed.

It was on the Menai slip road off the Bangor bypass. Thanks again, fellas.

Ken Hull

Bravo to Keith Gowen and Connor Peters for their recent and to the point articles in Letters to the Editor August 19 2020.

Both Liberal political leaders, State (Berejiklian) and Federal (Morrison) take the Shire for granted - as we are considered the Liberal Parties' safe seat!

But there is another key player and that would be our mayor Carmelo Pesce. I believe he has Liberal political dreams of State politics and hence he is subservient to both levels of the Liberal Party.

Thanks to our council we have parks turned into tip sites (Sylvania Rd and The Kingsway) and we have lost a valuable police station (Miranda). Our roads are choked continuously with traffic, both south and northbound traffic daily. Also, many trees are removed from the Shire during the night this for (Energy Australia). We have industrial noise throughout the night in areas as a direct result of our delayed road works at Kirrawee.

So in the upcoming elections be it Local, State or Federal vote for any Party other than Liberal and we may get our bargaining chip back, this to re-secure our Shire for the residents. We have missed out on so much simply because of the Liberal Party safe seat attitude toward us. Your vote can change all of this!!

Michael Andrew, Gymea

In response to Antoinette Halton's article dated August 12 on "Bikeriders should show more consideration" I can, from my experiences, fully endorse her comments. The "shared" pathway along Woolooware Bay frequently issued by young families and older people, some of whom have limited mobility.

However, it is also used by speeding bike riders, some of whom wear bike club jerseys, who obviously expect the young and the older to jump out of their way, so they do not have to slow down. This moronic behaviour by some speeding riders is a disaster waiting to happen. I experienced three near disasters on one walk and have decided to get my exercise in another location. I am not sure what action can be taken to eliminate this selfish and inconsiderate bike rider behaviour.

Ron Johnstone, Taren Point

My husband and I enjoy the Mangrove Walk, but it is becoming dangerous. On Saturday afternoon it was very busy with a large running group, lots of bike riders of all ages and speeds plus walkers.

In one of the narrower parts of the path, four teenagers riding abreast were coming towards me with no intention of keeping left. One hit me with his bike and rode on. At the time because of the number of people I had nowhere to go. I now have a sore, bloody and badly bruised arm to show for my afternoon's walk.

Barbara Ryan, Caringbah South

Regarding Mr Gannon's reply (Leader, August 12), this is a good opportunity to talk about "making meaningful moves towards reconciliation". To start, non-Indigenous Australians simply need to listen to Indigenous Australians. They have been charting a course on reconciliation. Read the Uluru Statement from the Heart and understand what it calls for. Give Indigenous people a voice in the decisions being made about their communities.

Reconciliation is a huge undertaking, but our leaders can take immediate steps. For example, as the UN says, we urgently need to raise the age of criminal responsibility from just 10 years old. Doing so would keep many Indigenous children out of prison and the harm this does at such an early age. The Closing the Gap targets have been reset, let's get it right this time. But as Mr Gannon notes, progress towards reconciliation continues to stall. If our state and federal leaders are letting this happen, it is up to us to elect leaders who can enact real change.

Anna-Rosa Baker, Engadine

Only someone with a Trumpian intellect (Leader 19/8/2020) could mistake multiple criticisms of his Facebook page as a compliment!

Paula Douglas, Como

This speedy development approval system that was introduced by the state government where a private certifier approves development will ultimately destroy the Shire with over-development. The water, sewerage and stormwater infrastructure is not coping with the over-development, in South Caringbah, we have had properties flooded with raw sewerage, roads collapse because of burst water mains and stormwater drains unable to cope causing flooding to properties.

Sutherland Council recently approved a multi-dwelling development in an R2 zone in South Caringbah after informing the applicant at a pre-application discussion meeting that the site was prone flooding because the stormwater system was unable to cope, six properties have experienced major flooding because of this stormwater infrastructure problem.

This new development approval system will ruin the Shire with over-development, we need a change in state government and the Liberal dominated council to save the Shire.

BRING BACK SHIRE WATCH.

Richard Watkins, South Caringbah

Sorry to report recently In the Engadine Library a youngish man entered and objected to the way one of the staff was doing her best to ensure clients were following COVID 19 entry protocols.

Instead of having a quiet word with the staff member (who was dealing with a difficult situation involving the previous entrant and his being ignorant of the situation) proceeded in a voice which all present could hear, to berate her attempts.

Not his finest hour.

Name and address supplied.