Kids today!
I WRITE in response to “Kids these days” (Herald letters, December 6, 2014) wanting to give a voice to all those children, parents and young adults out there who are delightful, thoughtful and taking responsibility for their actions.
We too often see reports on people behaving poorly, while I believe the majority are doing the right thing. I’d like to draw your attention to two 12-year-olds I know who took it upon themselves to hold a fundraiser recently to help with the effort to stop Ebola.
These two kids organised a paper plane competition. Walking the streets of Fremantle, unsupervised, but with approval, they approached Notre Dame University to ask for the use of a hall for a venue. Cheered on by the immediate positive response, they approached the two great bookstores of Fremantle, New Edition and Elizabeth’s to ask for prizes and donations—again, immediate positive responses.
That was on Monday. By Friday, the fundraiser went ahead with 42 entries. Some $127 raised, while not huge, a fabulous success. This is one story of children displaying their initiative, sense of community and compassion. I’m sure there are hundreds more out there. Lets celebrate our youth; encourage and support them. Our future lies in their compassionate, intelligent, capable hands.
Meredith Korczynskyj
Solomon St, Palmyra

Overstepped the mark
I FULLY agree that June Barton was justified well within her rights in refusing to submit to the Melville city council CEO’s direction that she and other dissidents justify their vote (Herald, December 6, 2014).
If councillors in all wards were as diligent as Crs Barton, Pazzoli and Taylor-Rees there would be no problems with transparency in council secessions and greater benignity to the community.
Mike Meerwald
Gillett Dr, Kardinya
The Ed says: This letter has been substantially edited for legal reasons.

Trained to wake up
I LIKE to watch trains! There is something about them that fascinates me, just like big ships on the ocean.
So when we decided to move in to Marine Terrace a couple of years ago I was more worried about all the cars that drive past than the trains.
But unfortunately that should change! The train during the day is fine except why does it have to toot? Each time when I don’t pay attention and it toots I jump in my chair. It’s such a loud noise!
It makes me wonder why is it necessary for trains that pass to toot when other trains (eg, the one that drives to Perth) never do.
Another thing that bothers me about the train is during night-time: it wakes me up every time it passes. The screeching sound is a problem as well as the vibrations it sends through the house. Because I’m a light sleeper I find it sometimes hard to fall asleep again so it has an impact on my well-being. I have decided to sleep with earplugs which helps a bit, but I would much rather be able to sleep without so I really support the idea of a curfew during night-time.
Tine Arvid
Marine Tce, Fremantle

Wallet wonder
TO the good samaritan who found a wallet in Irwin Street, East Fremantle, and returned it to us in Forrest Street, Fremantle, early on Sunday morning—a very big thank you. You did not leave a name or address but your kindness and effort are very much appreciated. We know you went out of your way to get it to us. Again, thank you, and a very merry Christmas to you.
Peter and Liz Johns
Forrest St, Fremantle

You decide, not the mayors
THE mayors of Fremantle and East Fremantle, in their recent letter to East Fremantle residents, gave the impression amalgamation of East Fremantle with Fremantle was a “fait accompli” and amalgamation was inevitable.
This is not so: as required by law, a petition with nearly 600 signatures has been forwarded to the minister requesting a referendum of East Fremantle residents so they can decide their future.
There is little doubt that, despite assurances from both mayors, services in East Fremantle will be compromised if amalgamation occurs. Rates will inevitably increase to fund the City of Fremantle’s high running costs. Ward representation will go, thus opening the way for political parties to fund candidates.
Our lovely town has been around for 117 years and has an unequalled community spirit which contributes greatly to our privileged lifestyle….don’t let us lose this in the anonymity of a greater Fremantle.
Make sure you exercise your democratic right and vote when the ballot paper arrives in the mail.
Jono Farmer
Sewell St, East Fremantle

Battle joined
I READ with interest the story about Melville city council wasting time on a planning application (Herald, December 6, 2014).
I believe I am qualified to give my opinion on this subject being a retired
Master Builder and being affected by a bad council decision.
A council approval to allow a double storey house on a battleaxe block, with large windows looking into my back yard, adjoining my previous home on Melville Beach Road, cost me thousands of dollars when it came time to sell, also putting potential buyers off.
I believe a battleaxe block should be mostly a single storey house except in a particular application where there are no large windows on the upper level facing the adjoining rear block.
Some years ago all councils adopted a standard building code.
The owners of an adjoining block have the right to inspect plans of a proposed building before approval.
Being retired for some years now, I often wonder when I see some of the new houses today, how they won council approval.
Frank Granger
Melville Beach Rd, Applecross

It’s ridiculous
I THINK it is ridiculous three Melville city councillors were made to explain why they voted in a certain way (Herald, December 6, 2014).
Some council CEOs seem to think it’s their way or the highway and many people in the community would be shocked to see what gets approved under delegated authority.
On a different matter, why would Fremantle council think employing Wilson parking to book people when they visit the E Shed market area, does anything to help the CBD, where every second shop is vacant because shoppers have disappeared?
No wonder there are some people who say don’t just amalgamate but get rid of local councils altogether, and that definitely includes the one I live in!
Colin Svanberg
John St, Cottesloe
The Ed says: Fremantle Ports employs Wilson parking, Colin. Freo council lost the bid to manage parking on the quay.

Access is already there
THE Herald recently covered the Barnett government’s recent and on-going changes to Aboriginal heritage protection in WA, which are likely to have a detrimental effect on Aboriginal heritage. I’d like to add a small update to the information that I gave to the Herald.
Last week the Department of Aboriginal Affairs informed me that 1500 Pilbara sites that were de-registered in the last two years would have been de-registered because they were disturbed as a result of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs giving a mining company or other organisation consent to “use” them.
The department’s initial response in The Australian newspaper a couple of months ago was that it hadn’t de-registered any sites. While the mining industry does try to avoid most heritage sites, some conflicts are inevitable. The minister gives numerous consents to disturb sites every year. Regardless of the outcomes of community consultations, over the years the minister of the day has rarely refused any applications.
The de-registration of hundreds of sites shows that miners already have access to heritage sites on a large scale. This may or may not be justified depending on the overall benefits to the community. I would like to see changes made that will strengthen the role of Aboriginal people in making these decisions.
Joe Dortch
Stevens St, Fremantle

Serious concern
IT should be a serious concern to all City of Melville ratepayers that various councillors, the council’s governance committee, CEO Shayne Silcox, and staff don’t seem to understand the meaning and purpose of voting, nor that a primary function of business and administrative procedure is risk management which attempts to mitigate potential threats to due process (“Please explain,” Herald, December 6, 2014).
Such measures, if properly developed, include no presumption of guilt or innocence, but merely provide a structure which seeks to ensure the outcome is free of abuse, corruption, fraud, and conflicts of interest. It sounds like the above-mentioned are in need of some education.
Colin Delane
Anscombe Loop, Leeming

Pulp fiction
As you enter Fremantle from the Stirling bridge you are greeted with
“FREMANTLE: Be Part of the Story.”
Hello! Please don’t—it is a very bad novel—so many characters and no plot!
I rather think too many Freo experts have lost the plot!
I do hope the Fremantle press is not considering publishing these tall stories.
Ho hum—New Edition will have lots of remainders!
Robert Vallis
South St, South Fremantle

Vote 1 Kel
I THINK it’s time councils were closed down and the WA government ran all the state’s affairs.
We do not need both. Fremantle council’s offices could be converted into low-cost B&B for the homeless and beggars. A much better use for properties (and a problem solved—beggars off the street). The current councillors think they are improving Fremantle but they are the wrecking ball of its history.
Kel Smith (Carriage cafe, Herald, November 29, 2014)—you have my vote for a 99-year-lease. A good council would see you, but there’s none so blind as those that see…
JEA Farley
Butson St, Hilton