Sir, We feel the latest moves by the pro- and anti-independence movements raise a great many concerns in particular the way they are targeting schools with information packs.
What control is being put in place to ensure that each section will be given equal and a balanced airing.
If a teacher is either pro or anti then they are most certainly not going to give the opponents an equal hearing as they will be more than likely to side with their preference.
We would suggest that each school hold such sessions at either lunch time or at after school meetings with each side putting their position across rather than taking up time supposed to be for teaching the national curriculum.
Perhaps the local MSP and MP could arrange to visit each school involved within their ward and present the cases to those being made eligible to vote, or better still, hold an event at a weekend.
Further to this, with the vote being given to 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland, is this being applied only for the independence vote or all future parliamentary votes?
Or, again, only in votes concerning Scottish elections and, if only being applied for this one item, then these age groups and future age groups coming of age should be asking why it is only being applied once to the hopeful manipulative benefit of one party in Scotland?
Alastair & Elaine McLean. Ar Tigh Ciether, 4 Fletcher Place, Crieff.
Public safetyis at stake
Sir, Yet more injuries and death have been caused by a person suffering from a mental illness allowed out in the community without proper safeguards either for himself or for the general public.
The man who went on the rampage down south with a van, deliberately aiming it at pedestrians, was a paranoid schizophrenic who imagined he was avenging himself on his enemies. Instead, he injured several innocent bystanders and killed a woman.
It is all very laudable to enable patients who used to be locked up for life in mental hospitals to control their illnesses with drugs and to lead normal lives in the community, but if they need to take their drugs regularly to keep them healthy, why are they not given closer supervision?
Such potentially dangerous patients should have to attend a clinic to have their drugs administered. They are patients; they should not be left with the responsibility of taking their own drugs. Patient and public safety is at stake!
George K McMillan. 5 Mount Tabor Avenue, Perth.
Proud of their tireless efforts
Sir Having read and considered Mr Alistair Jelks’ recent vocalisations about Kirriemuir’s proposed Bon Scott statue I have felt a very strong urge to defend our local community groups in Kirriemuir, especially DD8 Music in regards to the matter of their fundraising attempt.
Although not a member of DD8 Music I have been proud to watch their tireless efforts in many areas of the community, not least of which is their passionate involvement in providing our youth with outlets for creativity and a sense of ownership and responsibility in their town.
They among other community groups are a treasure to our wee corner of the world and have helped to earn us the reputation of a town that gets things done.
Through the tireless efforts of all its members and volunteers I have watched Bonfest grow into a successful and wonderful community event that positively affects the people and the economy of Kirriemuir.
They are a “not-for-profit” organisation who have made a passion for rock music an experience for all and I trust no other with the creation of a Bon Scott statue.
Helping to run our own local family business, I fully understand Mr Jelks’ need to tout for work in a competitive market.
However, to “pipe-up” at the eleventh hour, after much toiling and commitment on the part of DD8 Music to make the Bon Scott statue a reality is, quite frankly, in very bad grace.
No member of DD8 Music will profit from this statue and as such, stand to make the most objective and ethical judgements about the mechanics of its creation.
Please, Mr Jelks, hunt for your commissions elsewhere. Leave the Bon Scott Statue to the impassioned youth of our town, who have worked so hard to make it a reality.
Faith Comrie. 12 South Street, Kirriemuir.
Who are they to demand this?
Sir, The frequent letters that appear in our Scottish newspapers from tiny bodies of secular activists claiming they are only wanting to remove religious “privilege” from, for example, schools and local authorities, will not impress many readers.
In my opinion, these strident, sparsely supported little organisations want nothing less than to detach Scotland from its Christian heritage after centuries that have shaped our culture.
Who are these pressure groups with their tiny memberships of a few hundred zealots to demand this?
Gus Logan. 2 York Road, North Berwick.