Weekly wrap: Our readers are opinionated and I like that

Since the federal budget dropped, I've been inundated with letters to the editor, and our Facebook and Twitter accounts have also had a myriad of opinions expressed.

Other topics that have inspired lots of opinions are the slow vaccination rollout, whether we should report problems with vaccines and whether or not reporting anything other than 'local news' is the 'job' of the Leader.

Our readers are opinionated and I like that. It promotes discussion and that is healthy.

For the record, we didn't have enough space in print to include all the letters about the budget, but we ran a few last week, we will run more this week, and we will run a few more next week.

I think we are doing our job reporting on all aspects of the vaccination rollout; it would be censorship if we only told you of the good things and not the problems.

As far as the 'local news' or not conundrum goes, well, it isn't much of a problem for me.

I don't want our readers going to the Tele or the SMH for their news. If they can get all the news from the Leader, then I am doing my job. I can't understand why some readers criticise us for expanding their news palate. I don't dismiss their opinion, but I'm afraid I have to disagree with it.

We have lots of tasty news morsels this week.

Murray Trembath tells us why the Cape Solander whale watching platform has been closed just as the annual migration season starts.

Murray also explains why more of Cronulla's Canary Island Date Palms, some of which are about 100 years old, face removal.

Kayla Osborne tells us why a Lugarno resident has launched a petition calling on the NSW government to purchase the historic 'Glenlee' property.

Kayla also reports on why many Georges River and Bayside council area residents are pretty cranky at the moment.

Jess Layt brings us the heartwarming yarn of Liz Hill, who has spent almost 20 years giving her time to others. Liz's story is one of love and selflessness.

Have you used your Dine and Discover vouchers yet?

I took the bride out for lunch last week and used one; I must say it felt pretty good to know using it helped keep the doors of a local small business open.

When I asked the owner if many people had redeemed the vouchers with her, she smiled and said yes. "Most of the restaurants along the strip here tell me they are getting business from the vouchers," she said.

If you haven't used yours yet, hop to it, you are helping a small business and getting a feed. It is a win-win!

I hope your day is filled with love, laughter and news.

Chat with you next week.