After the first Covid shutdown in 2020, the tennis courts in Hawthorne Street, Ramsgate, were shut down. When Bayside Council took over, the six courts needed some repairs. The wire fencing was repaired, but they needed to maintain the courts to make them playable as some tree roots were coming through on some courts. To my knowledge, the council advertised for a caretaker. They maintain that no one was interested in the position. I understand that there may have been a reason for that, as who would now be responsible for the payment of repairs?
I have played at these courts for over 40 years with many local people. My children, when they attended school, played on these courts for their Sport. These courts are now derelict and have been broken into. Bayside Council needs to explain to the public and ratepayers just what their intention is regarding them.
Lynne Weston,
Ramsgate
Declaration of Independents
In response to the ridiculous criticism of the Declaration of Independents that I challenged all Independent candidates in the upcoming election to sign, I'm reminded of Shakespeare's famous line, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks". Has it struck a nerve because the author is associated with a political party claiming to be Independent? How can anyone criticise transparency and giving voters as much information as possible to inform their decision?
Every election, we see fake Independent candidates who, in reality, are members of a political party, and this election is no different. Any genuine Independent wouldn't hesitate to sign the Declaration to prove that they are in fact Independent, and the failure to do so should rightly raise alarm bells for voters. Despite the criticism from some quarters, I'm proud that my team was the first to sign up.
Councillor Sandy Grekas,
Independent Councillor
Peakhurst has gone downhill
With Council elections in the not too distant future, may I suggest those expecting to be elected or re-elected walk around the area they hope to represent? Peakhurst is an overdeveloped disgrace. Rubbish rots in gutters, street trees have not been pruned or cared for in years, weeds and seeding grasses abound, and our children walk to school through overgrown nature strips full of dog poo and assorted rubbish blown from construction sites. Any hope of having a decent front lawn has been taken from us, replaced by fields of yellow flowering weeds.
Little wonder voting is compulsory. Who would willingly vote for these ineffectual mismanagers, seemingly hellbent on the ruination of our area?
Elaine Cameron,
Peakhurst
Great effort Georges River Council
I want to give a big shout out to the crew from George's River Council responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of the amenities at the Oatley boat ramp and in particular Dan Wilmington for his quick response and actions regarding a safety issue with submerged boulders in the water adjacent to the new boat ramp.
After reporting the dangerous issues via email and photos, I was pleasantly surprised when I received Dan's very quick response and phone call.
During the last low tide cycle, the council managed to get the boulders removed and the area safe again. Well done and a big thank you from someone who utilises this community asset regularly.
Richard Clay
Thank you from a pedestrian
I was a pedestrian hit by a car on 24th October 2021 at Central Road, Beverly Hills.
I am especially grateful to the kind gentleman who helped me remain calm, stayed with me and called my family while waiting for the ambulance and police.
I wanted to thank all the people who stopped to help me. Their kindness and willingness to help is something I'll never forget and am grateful for every day.
I also want to thank all the authorities and professional staff (police officers, paramedics, all the staff at St George Hospital Emergency Department and the short stay ward) ... to name a few, Constable A Cox and B Murrell; Dr A Chen, RN Ali who have done their services proud in carrying out their duties so well.
Thank you seems so insufficient, but I hope if you're one of the folks who stopped to help me that day that you understand how grateful I am.
Sek Eng Kay,
Narwee
Multiple personalities
Spotty, the man from marketing, says he doesn't like governments telling people what to do. Is he a moron or an anarchist? I wouldn't vote for either of him (sic).
Gary Frances,
Bexley
King Georges Rd - the never completed widening
My Dad bought his first home on King Georges Rd in 1960. His Bank was concerned about the mooted widening when he applied for his mortgage.
Here we are in 2021, 61 years later and there is no current plan to widen the road in the Penshurst/South Hurstville area. Our local State and Federal members made much noise when 600 metres of the road widening was announced for the Beverly Hills section a few years ago. Since then, a few fences went up and nothing much else has happened. It's obvious it was all done just for announcement value, but no real intent to actually complete the widening any time soon, especially for the final section. The Hillcrest Ave intersection is a significant traffic pain point, but don't expect anything over the next decade.
Billions have gone to road works across NSW and country, but our representatives just get a pittance for our areas. They fool us into thinking they are actually investing in public roads, but the money appears mostly to flow to private tollways.
Andrew Giunta,
Penshurst
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