Sir, It was with interest that I read your article (April 15) regarding Dundee Lord Provost Bob Duncan’s visits to our twin cities.
It is vitally important that the work we do as anadministration is scrutinised effectively by opposition councillors.
However, the comments from two of the opposition councillors, and in particular Councillor Brian Gordon, were a touch bizarre.
Councillor Gordon’s view is that these decisions should be taken by the appropriate council committee.
Councillor Gordon seems to have forgotten that the decisions he is criticising were indeed taken by the appropriate council committee on April 21 2014 and then on August 25 2014.
My surprise at his statement is because not only was Councillor Gordonpresent at both committees, he actually voted to approve both of the decisions he is now criticising.
In fact, both decisions were approved unanimously by all 29 councillors.
At these committees not a single opposition councillor asked a single question about the visits.
If they genuinely hadconcerns I have no doubt they would have raised them on the night.
The fact that they did not speaks volumes. It is areasonable position to take that the Lord Provost should not accept invitations to visit our twin cities.
I would suggest, however, that it is a touch hypocritical to complain that the Lord Provost accepted theseinvitations when theythemselves voted that he should accept them.
Councillor Stewart Hunter. City Chambers, Dundee.
We did not abuse Curran
Sir, I wish to clarify comments made by Jenny Hjul in her column (April 15) under the heading, Sinister side of Scottish nationalism.
Jenny Hjul claimed Shadow Scottish Secretary, Margaret Curran wassubjected to Nationalist thug tactics as she canvassed in Glasgow East.
I was one of the activists who interviewed Margaret Curran on that day.
At no point during or before the challenge was the SNP mentioned, neither I nor my comrade wore any SNP paraphernalia; hence we could have been from any party, or simply unaffiliated activists.
In all my politicalcampaigning, my motivation has always been related to the issue and my own beliefs, not the party.
No laws were broken on the day, by either of us,neither did either of us abuse Ms Curran.
Indeed, not only did she agree to the interview for two questions but I also thanked her for her time.
Piers Doughty-Brown. 145 Royston Road, Glasgow.
Relax listed building rules
Sir, It appears to me that the situation regarding the former Baldovan Asylum otherwise known asStrathmartine Hospital by Dundee has now gone beyond the lunacy stage.
The building was leftderelict and has beendamaged by fire.
A similar situation exists in Arbroath at the former Elms children’s home on Cairnie Road.
This too has lain derelict for well over a decade or two, to the extent that it isprobably no longer suitable to be converted into flats or whatever, given the restrictions placed on developing listed buildings.
Several developers have had designs on this Victorian structure, not too different to the asylum but nothinghas happened.
In truth, they are just worth listing as eyesores anddeath-traps for kids. Who really cares what happens to them? Surely not the general public and those who live nearby and have to view such piles through their windows.
So come on AngusCouncil, make a case for doing something with or without these ruins and allow someone to reduce thehousing shortage, rather than let these places remain fallow for another 20 years.
Geoff Bray. Heather Croft, Letham (Angus).
Arrogance of police chief
Sir, It was only a matter of months ago that Chief Constable Sir Stephen House assured the ScottishParliament that officers would no longer be armed while on routine patrol.
Then, shortly after that, a newspaper publishedphotographs of two officers on routine patrol in Inverness openly carrying sidearms.
The arrogance is beyond belief.
If Sir Stephen House is not prepared to fall on his sword and go, is it not time that the Scottish Governmentdismissed him?
Jack Harley. 9 Mackie Crescent, Markinch.
Straight fight in Perthshire
Sir, Pete Wishart is right about one thing in his letter of April 16. In Perth and North Perthshire, the election is between the Conservative and Unionist party and the SNP.
With Conservative votes in the last election amounting to more than Labour and Liberal Democrat votes added together, the only way to ensure that we do not have another independence referendum is for the 60% who voted No to vote for the Conservative candidate in Perth and North Perthshire.
Garry Barnett. The Garden House, Campsie Hill, Guildtown.