Letters support of Wedgetail Hospice which is provided absolutely free of charge to the sick and dying, and their carers. That said, you shouldn’t desert Global Ripple. They do a champion job. Sue Read Myocum
It’s contagious
Cartoon by Holly English – www.hollyenglish.com
Thanks Council Thank you Byron Council rubbish depot team! They moved 20 bags of rubbish and an office chair from the high tide mark on Belongil Beach last week, literally within a few hours after we called them – narrowly avoiding all the rubbish being taken out to the sea on the next tide. Thanks again! Also, it would be great if Council could budget for a daily check on Byron beaches, or a hotline to catch any rubbish before
it damages the beach and sea life. The bulk of dollars to Council and the Shire come from people from around the world wanting to see Byron’s beaches. A small cost to preserve a big tourist and revenue attraction? Susan Fitzpatrick-Napier Byron Bay
It’s all ok Rebecca McNaught – despair not! Simply carpool a bunch of bargain hunters and head to the Tweed Palliative Support op shop
in Murwulillumbah, run by feisty 85-year-old Edna Gorton OAM. Most of our clothing is only one dollar (that’s right, one dollar). And we have furniture, electrical, books, household and garage stuff, way cheaper than the op shops of Byron, whose fat-cat church-run operators collect millions in government funding. TPS receives no help from government funding whatsoever, and all monies raised go directly to running the palliative
BYRON WRITERS FESTIVAL PRESENTS
LEMN SISSAY
My Name is Why A story of neglect, hope and determination - Don’t miss this performance and conversation with one of the UK’s best-loved poets.
There seems to be a pathological attitude at large in the Byron Shire; people are determined to live (and seemingly enjoy) a negativity that is almost contagious. No one is willing to be positive about potholes. We are used to speed humps to slow traffic on our streets, and people actually ask council to install them. We see letters in The Echo calling for speed limits on roads across the Shire. As to complaints that potholes can damage tyres and suspensions, if one drives slowly in, and out, of potholes, damage is mitigated and even nonexistent. Be positive, I urge Shire residents – potholes are merely inverse speed humps. Speed humps cost labor, money, and time whereas potholes are money saving for ratepayers: potholes
are self-creating and need no maintenance or replacement. Slower traffic will obviate accidents caused by speed; motorists will benefit by not burning (costly) fuel at higher speeds. Council outdoor staff will have less onerous (and dangerous) work to do, meaning that they can be diverted to some urgent and necessary tasks, for example
beautifying road verges and maintaining our many parks and gardens. Queensland motorists, so often vilified for their driving habits, will be better regarded leading to a more harmonious relationship. Byron Shire will be in the vanguard of progressive road safety policy for the nation, and I envisage visitors going home to tell their friends ▶ Continued on next page
Brunswick Heads Newsagents Newspapers, Magazines, Stationary Tobacco, Postcards, Gift Cards, Lollies, Aspirins, Fresh Flowers and lots more In Park Street – next to the bakery
Letters to the Editor Send to Letters Editor Eve Jeffery, email: editor@ echo.net.au, fax: 6684 1719. Deadline: Noon, Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. Letters already published in other papers will not be considered. Please include your full name, address and phone number for verification purposes.
86 JONSON ST, BYRON BAY 6685 7662 therailsbyronbay.com
Experie ence th he true and orig ginal Pilate es metho od off exercisse www.min ntpilatess.com.au 93 Station Sttree et, Mu ullumbim mby
AND THE FAMOUS
RAILS kitchen
Thursday, 31 OCTOBER
Sara Grant Trio Friday, 1 NOVEMBER
RAGGA JUMP
Saturday, 2 NOVEMBER
EL SCORCHO
Sunday, 3 NOVEMBER
NATHAN KAYE
Monday, 4 NOVEMBER
6PM, SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER ELEMENTS OF BYRON RESORT Bookings essential via byronwritersfestival.com/whats-on www.echo.net.au/byron-echo Byron Shire Echo archives
JON J BRADLEY
Tuesday, 5 NOVEMBER
TIM STOKES
Wednesday, 6 NOVEMBER
CARLY & ROO
wĈƐşćĕſ Ǫǧǽ ǩǧǨǰ The Byron Shire Echo 11