Opinion
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Drowned out speech
Sandra Caddy, Castlemaine I agree with Dean Bridgfoot that ‘hate speech incites and normalises violence and is a threat to our democracy’ (‘A shared humanity’, Opinions, April 9). Unfortunately the term hate speech is deceptively used to drown out any speech, facts, statistics etc. that a certain section of our demography hate to hear and…
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Powercor, yeah, nah
Marina Howell, Carlsruhe In response to the article Midland Express on April 9, regarding a new apprentice at Powercor, pity they don’t treat their customers with such respect. Last August Powercor contractors pruned the trees along my front boundary and left the mess there for five weeks. An email from me resulted in the mess…
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On the same page
Bill Bayliss, Chewton In his letter (‘View on new approach’, Opinions, April 16) Hans Paas makes a valid observation on how Mount Alexander Shire Council meetings are conducted. In my mind, the so-called confidential meeting should be conducted on the floor of council chambers for all to see and hear what the CEO proposes and…
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Mysterious indeed
Greg O’Brien, Kyneton Darcy Black made some errors in his letter (‘What are the facts’, Opinions, March 26). I am not a member of the Kyneton Airport Research Information Group, the only group I am a member of is a landcare and revegetation group. If he knows that KARIG consists of three people, he knows…
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Inspiring story
Ian de Kam, Kyneton Dr Carolyn Siddell provides an inspiring story to anyone faced with adversity. Your feature last week about the endless challenges in life that she overcame is a great example to others who might feel discouraged in achieving seemingly unattainable goals. She was a new doctor on call at Kyneton Hospital when…
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View on new approach
Hans Paas, Castlemaine Having just returned from a week away I was surprised to read the article regarding the broadcast of meetings of Mount Alexander Shire ‘Council to live stream meetings’ (Express 2/4). As people who follow local government in our shire may think, I believe the effective decision making body is the ‘confidential briefing’…
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What is really happening?
David Kemp, Lancefield I read with interest and dismay the feature story on the front page of last week’s Midland Express. It referred to a council orchestrated and implemented planning process affecting land owned by the Green family of Lancefield. As almost every resident of Lancefield knows the Greens are stalwarts of the district, that…
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‘Gisbury’ ahead?
Ron Fitt, Macedon Few if any would disagree that Gisborne is a lovely town. However residents are despairing because population pressures are eroding their quality of life. Although well aware of the impending traffic and parking problems, our elected representatives are unable or unwilling to address these issues other than to spend more of our…
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How can this be so?
Eric Dearricott, Kyneton The Midland Express reported MRS council’s acting director of assets and operations Anne-Louise Lindner defended the installation of raised platform speed humps on the children’s crossings in Edgecombe Street, Kyneton (‘Crossings plan draws criticism’, April 2). I write to query her defence. The Express reported that the council had advised them that…
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What is Amnesty’s remit?
Ken Maas, Castlemaine The following is an open letter to Amnesty International Australia, seeking support for Julian Assange. Over the previous five months, Amnesty and I have exchanged four letters each; this is a copy of my sixth letter: Dear E. Thank you for your reply dated 26 March 2019 regarding Julian Assange. Why does…
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A shared humanity
Dean Bridgfoot, Castlemaine Re. Sandra Caddy’s letter (‘Unrelenting attacks’, Opinions, April 2). I understand that respectful, informed discussion is a crucial component of freedom of speech and a foundation of our democracy. I also understand that hate speech incites and normalises violence and is a threat to democracy. Hate speech encourages extremism leading to atrocities…
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Due process
Keith Altmann, Woodend Robin Stewart has asked ‘how will we benefit’ (Opinions, March 26) from the proposed Energy Park in the pine plantation south of Woodend. The project has been initiated by the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group and now has to proceed through the planning permit process before development. The Energy Park includes wind/solar/battery energy…