Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Like many others I have enjoyed the delights of the BBC TV coverage of the Queen’s Jubilee, European Football Cup, Wimbledon, etc, and I am looking forward to the Olympics. Never mind the ability to keep ”up to speed” with worldwide news, community issues and receive a selection of entertainment and educational programmes.
All funded by the taxpayer and open to me if I wish, provided I have a television licence and access to an aerial. A citizen’s right, I would argue.
So what of those tenants of Fife Council, living in blocks of flats, who are having their rooftop communal TV aerials disconnected, without any warning or consultation, simply because Fife Council is not prepared to adapt their aerials to receive all digital TV stations and so, by this action not allowing tenants access to BBC stations they were receiving?
On top of this the council does not permit its tenants in high blocks of flats to put up aerials on outside walls, or allow them access to the rooftops to put up their own individual aerials. Indoor aerials seldom work and cable TV is beyond the means of many.
Fife Council claims this was all discussed and agreed with tenants’ groups, and approved through proper procedures, as far back as 2002, but I have yet to have that confirmed, or hear from any tenants’ group that admits to knowing about this.
Since early March I have been asking, through various councillors, heads of administration and the chief executive’s office to clarify the situation but have no straight answer to date.
Meanwhile, there are low-income families who have purchased expensive TV licences and monitors to watch through the access points they once had. They are now are unable to get any benefit or social equality from that cost.
It’s an absolute disgrace, in my view, in so-called modern Britain and time a requirement for aerial points was written into all tenants’ agreements as with power points.
Alexander Lawson.33 Greenwell Park,Glenrothes.
SPL chairmen should grasp this opportunity
Sir, – Now that Rangers will not be playing in the SPL next season, an opportunity presents itself to radically alter the balance of power in Scottish football.
Currently rule changes require an 11-1 majority, giving the Old Firm the chance to veto anything which threatens their power over all other SPL clubs.
With Rangers no longer in the SPL the eleven other clubs will have, for at least one year, the opportunity to redress the balance and ensure more equitable treatment in the future.
The first step would be to alter the 11-1 majority currently required to, say, 9-3. The next and probably most significant change would be to pass a resolution to split gate receipts between home clubs and visitors in a predetermined ratio say 2/1.
This would have the double benefit of spreading the revenue coming in through the turnstiles amongst all participating clubs and at the same time help negate the effect of any possible future boycott by Rangers fans against clubs voting against the newco being allowed immediately into the SPL, because, by not attending away games, they would penalise their own club to an extent.
The above principles could be applied no matter the number of clubs in the SPL and whether there is to be an SPL2 or not.
I urge all chairmen to take this opportunity to change whatever they can for the better whilst they have the chance.
Bill Watson.17 Seaview Avenue,Seaton Estate,Arbroath.
It is a complex question
Sir, – In your article ”Dundee FC will not vote on Rangers” (July 5) Scot Gardiner deduces that it will be Dundee rather than the Pars who will be invited to take the vacant spot in the SPL.
I hope he is wrong, as the question of which team fills the vacancy is a complex one.
There can be no doubt that had Rangers paid their taxes last season instead of withholding them, which the SFA’s independent tribunal found brought the game into disrepute their entry into administration and collapse pending liquidation would have taken place during the season 2011/2012 and Dunfermline would not have been relegated.
The SFA as the licensing and regulatory body for the sport were negligent in allowing Craig Whyte and Rangers to operate in the SPL when it was apparent neither the individual nor the club satisfied the strict regulations that apply to all clubs.
By their dereliction of duty the SFA allowed an insolvent Rangers to stumble on to the end of the season before collapsing.
Had it carried out its regulatory role with its normal zeal there would have been one expulsion and no relegation from the SPL.
As I see it, the obvious way to right this wrong would be to reinstate Dunfermline to the SPL. If the SFA not been asleep on the job they would never have had to leave.
Tom Minogue.94 Victoria Terrace,Dunfermline.
Shout it from the rooftops
Sir, – I read with interest the news regarding Dundee attempting to become City of Culture in 2017 and I wish to lend my voice of support.
It is about time Dundee rolled up its sleeves and started shouting from the rooftops about what a great city we are and what we have to offer.
For far too long Dundee has been ignored or talked down and our citizens mocked by others. But now we have a great opportunity to show everyone what a great place Dundee is, I wish the campaign every success.
I am also glad to see that the SNP are showing little hope of success for their referendum campaign as they obviously do not expect an independent Parliament in 2016 or they would not be taking part in a contest for the UK City of Culture 2017.
I applaud them for putting city before silly party fantasies.
Allan Petrie.109 Blacklock Crescent,Dundee.
Simple solution
Sir, – Rising sea levels may or may not be a fact, but they are surely not a problem.
As any rate of rise would be slow, people will have plenty of time over the years to simply move further inland, thus adapting to this change.
A simple but effective solution.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood, Kinross.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.