Plumbs up
IT gives one hope when you still get good service in a retail store.
Recently I had the problem of a toilet cistern running water into the pan. Over the years I have replaced the rubbers in cisterns successfully myself but this being more modern  and more complicated, I decided it would be wise to take it to Reece in Myaree.
I am 81-years-old and it was not an easy task, getting the cistern to the shop. However, by putting the heavy cistern on my walker my wife and I managed to get it from the car into the store. Quick as a flash the new parts were on the counter.
I then asked the shop assistant how I would take the cistern apart. I must have had a blank look on my face. The next thing I knew a young employee took the cistern and the parts and said he’d fix it.
After a short time he came back with the job done and carried the cistern to the boot of our car.
I wanted to shake his hand with money hidden in mine as I appreciated his help in a time of need; he looked at me and refused as he must have sensed what I was up to. I paid for the parts and left, grateful for the help I had received.
I take my hat off to all the friendly staff at Reece in Myaree. Thank you for good, old-fashioned service.
Frank Granger
Melville Bch Rd, Applecross

More ennui than enthusiasm
SORRY, I don’t buy the mayor’s claim that Fremantle is on the right track (Herald, October 26, 2013).
His so-called win came about because too many of the right people are too busy trying to keep their own affairs in order or too disenchanted.
People feel they cannot compete with the in-club, the spin doctors and the developers given millions of dollars worth of over-height air space in the pretence of erecting green and potentially new-wave heritage buildings, which are still shaping up to be big boxes, with lots of little boxes in them called studio units, of very ordinary merit. Or the promise of new shops when there are plenty of empty ones.
Unfortunately the populace labeled as those of “the past” and “out of touch” are not organised enough to take on a council bent on selling our assets or questioning the value returned.
Overwelmingly united as councillors, but with an agenda not from the grassroots it would seem.  A short list relating to the Pakenham Street development:
• how the cost of parking is going to be controlled when they have no off-street parking setting the rates;
• why is the car park at the corner of Pakenham/Bannister Streets getting sold before new parking is provided;
• what is the revenue raised going to fund?
• why is it not being converted into an inner-city garden park with  barbecue, water feature  and lushness. After all the furore at the loss of grass at the Esplanade?
• why was it not put out to public comment? It is one of our assets after all.
Just a few of the questions from the many Fremantle customers we see in our shop.
The majority I’m afraid do not agree with you, Dr Mayor. “A win by default” should have been the headline. Come on, smart energetic people of Fremantle! Stay involved. We need a revival. Never give up to the top end of town who consider progress in dollar terms.
Robert F Bodkin
High St, Fremantle

Don’t be passive
I RECENTLY sold my home in order to escape my neighbour’s cigarette smoke. I hope my misfortune can act as a warning to strata home buyers. Unless laws are changed, if you find yourself on the receiving end of second-hand smoke in your own home you have no rights. Buyer beware!
Andrea Cicholas
Mortlock St, Hamilton Hill

Memories matter
MY husband, who is 79-years-old now, has Alzheimer’s. But when he saw the article in last week’s Herald about Norm Wrighton’s barber shop, he remembered his very first haircut being done there when he was four-years-old. It was so lovely for him to remember that.
R Harrison
Coolbellup

Progress means change
KRISTIAN WALTER, (Herald letters, October 19, 2013) I can believe your logic concerning traffic and the Roe 8.
How can you compare today’s traffic with the ’70s? Of course roads will become busier with the population growth and it will always be that way.
Imagine if governments had your attitude? I’d like to see you ride your bike to Welshpool, as I also do on occasion, from Melville, if all you had to use was the old High Road, no Leach or Roe highway, nor the freeway.
You may get there the same day with the traffic congestion of today, if you survived the journey in one piece. Then again we could also go farther back and just use horse and wagon tracks, your pushy would go just great on them.
It’s the same if we had no supermarkets—imagine going to the corner store to do your shopping, there’s no way the store could handle the volume.
Chris Mills
Money Rd, Melville