Friday’s correspondents chime in with who is to blame for Dundee FC’s predicament, priorities for the city’s development, the use of the UK’s foreign aid and the importance of Scotland’s Roman heritage.
SFL are not to blame for Dundee’s plight Sir,-I hope that Dundee come through this second period of administration for the sake of all the loyal fans, players and staff at the club.
However, the senior management and administrator should stop bleating and accept that the SFL had no option but to administer strong action.
Dundee FC chief executive Harry MacLean stated, “Both Bryan and I are appalled.”
It would appear he has lost sight of the fact that this is the second occasion in seven years.
Also, there are many creditors who have already lost, or will lose, thousands of pounds. Are these creditors, players and staff already dismissed not appalled?
Their loss is due to mismanagement and incompetence.
It is to be hoped that the club will survive but perish the thought of any existing board members retaining any control and repeating the same mistakes within a few seasons.
My message to Mr MacLean and his colleagues is don’t blame the SFL, stop and take a long hard look at yourselves. The time has come to concentrate on positive action to resolve the crisis. This is about the club’s survival.
J. T. Wilson.35 Grange Road,Monifieth.
Getting our priorities right
Sir,-I wonder how many Dundonians are annoyed about the amount of money being spent on the new access to the river and the new council headquarters?
The swimming pool has had its problems and the Hilton has been widely criticised but how on earth can we afford to demolish them in the present financial climate?
The access to the bridge was perfectly adequate. Tayside House has also been criticised but it has become a welcome landmark to many. How can we afford to demolish perfectly repairable multi-storey blocks when cities all over the world are building new ones?
The Derby Street multis are very impressive buildings. The proposed V&A is being pushed into the sea because all good waterfront sites have been used up by factory-like tenements, offices, tin sheds called shops and a supermarket.
Meanwhile, we are paying hundreds of thousands of pounds annually to cultural organisations when a historic football club which has given pleasure to millions over the years is being left to die.
R. J. Soutar.37 Camperdown Street,Broughty Ferry.
Monitor UK aid donations
Sir,-Mr Gallacher (November 2) thinks I am non-humanitarian because I don’t believe in paying despots to buy cars and jets, or to fund an atomic weapons programme.
By all means support the work done by charities that deliver directly to those who need it desperately.
The community I am involved in collects hundreds of pounds for charity and other causes every year but we know what, or who, the beneficiaries are.
Any loss of human life anywhere is a tragedy, so let us make sure the aid goes to the people, not some government department.
Mr Gallacher should be asking how many mosquito nets or bowls of rice could be bought for the price of a Mercedes, or how many children fed for the price of a nuclear weapon.
Governments have abused foreign aid for years, not caring or ensuring how it is spent. I would suggest that aid should be distributed by reliable foundations, not some ministerial department looking for favours in return.
Bill Duthie.25 St Fillans Road,Dundee.
Hope for Roman centre
Sir,-The Antonine Guard is pleased to see the support in principle for a national Roman centre in Perthshire from culture minister Fiona Hyslop (November 3) and that she can embrace a good idea even if it comes from a representative of another political party.
We thoroughly appreciate the recent initiative from Murdo Fraser MSP, and likewise, past support from Roseanna Cunningham MSP.
Scotland’s Roman heritage is a national treasure. It belongs to us all regardless of political persuasion and we all will lose out if we fail to appreciate its intrinsic worth and potential as a cultural, tourism and educational resource.
There are powerful arguments for both development in Perthshire and in the vicinity of the Antonine Wall. We look forward to co-operating with all those in Holyrood seeking to protect Scotland’s Roman heritage.
Ron Greer.Secretary,The Antonine Guard.
SEPA should work with farmers
Sir,-With reference to your article Scathing attack on SEPA over licence delay I would agree with Peter Grewar in that farmers looked after the land long before SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) was initiated and we have the same objectives as they. We want to minimise risks that any of our activities may cause and I am sure the vast majority of farmers feel the same. We have had excellent advice from SEPA in the past regarding, for instance, water extraction licences but, most of the time, little common sense has been applied.
In 2008 we had a problem with human sewage spilling on to ground which we farm, with obvious risks to our animals but more importantly the sewage was eventually discharging into a burn.
SEPA told us that nothing could be done as the spillage did not directly compromise human health.
We remedied the situation by threatening legal action against the owner of the property
It would be a great improvement if SEPA attempted to work with land owners as we have the experience and skills to help them achieve what we all want, which is an efficient industry managing the land and topography in a sustainable, safe and mutually beneficial way,
William Halley.East Lochlane Cottage,Crieff.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.