Problem is drivers not speed
Dear Echo News,
Once again we have our Dr Hughes wanting to lower the speed limit on Greenmount Hill, the problem is the drivers, not the speed, as is pointed out in the UK and Germany, which both have far lower deaths per capita than here in Australia.
We have seen not a single way to improve the driving standards here in WA in the last thirty years, only reductions in the concentration of driver requirements on the road, such as flashing amber warning lights, instead of the system they have been using in Germany for over fifty years, a warning countdown clock.
The situation at Scott Street is only ever apparent in the rush hours and is usually accompanied by driver stupidity, in the inability to drive safely, under the conditions.
I can’t wait for the next suggestion, a person walking in front of every car with a red flag perhaps, instead of having more police patrol cars, better driving standards with more concise and clearer road rules, and to maybe drive on the left!!!
If you cannot drive to the conditions, please hand in your licence.
N Mclean
Mundaring
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Radiation killing birds?
Dear Echo News,
I notice that there are once again increased numbers of birds dying from the paralysis syndrome as we get in to summer.
I have been doing a little more reading on the subject and have discovered that if radiation travels through heated air, it alters the levels of radiation and the size of the wavelength.
This could explain why it is occurring mainly in summer and Perth is more susceptible because our summers are warmer than most.
It could also explain the decline in bees and other insects as research has shown that certain size wavelengths superheat insects and kill them.
I am sorry if I am being a nuisance, but the loss of this many birds is something that I am deeply concerned about and if it is, as a result of EMR, then it needs to be exposed. If it’s not, it needs to be ruled out.
R Woolley
Bellevue
--------------------------------------------------------------------Watering trees a must
Dear Echo News,
The heat of summer is upon us, and even though it was a mostly damp winter and spring, near relentless sun combined with incessant wind has seriously dried out our soil.
Sadly, moving about in the Midland area I see many well-established trees dead, or nearly so, lining the roads.
Losing these trees means only more sunlight captured by asphalt and higher/drier temperatures.
Considering these climate effects and other benefits provided by trees, I’d like to remind homeowners to give their verge shrubs and trees a good drink at least twice a month.
For less than the cost of a coffee per month, you get enough water to keep your verge cool and thriving through the summer.
R Ilchik
--------------------------------------------------------------------Mandoon register for trees defunct
Dear Echo News,
As a baby boomer in their 60s, I find it difficult these days to keep up with modern technology even though I have all the mod-cons like a mobile phone, computer and household appliances.
But spare a thought for those left behind like my good friend Hilary who passed away recently.
Hilary was an only child who never married and lived in her family home in Bassendean for 77 years.
She was quite reclusive after her parents died in the 90’s and loved her piece of overgrown suburban paradise with many many large mature trees and lots of native wildlife.
Hilary didn’t have modern convenience we all take for granted like a mobile phone, computer, TV or even a washing machine and living alone meant she had nobody to ask for advice on such matters.
As she was such a lover of nature, she had six large mature trees placed on the local councils ‘significant tree register’ never to be removed.
Unfortunately, the state minister has since made this register defunct and it is now up to the discretion of local council as to whether they stay or not!
The most disappointing and saddest part is that Hilary was not notified by council before her death that her trees are not 100 per cent safe, otherwise she would have put a caveat on them.
It appears to me that local councils’ common courtesy and decency is lacking.
G Coleman
Bassendean
--------------------------------------------------------------------Frylinck family thank you
Dear Echo News,
On January 18 it will be two years since our father and husband John Frylinck disappeared while walking along the Railway Reserve from Sculpture Park.
This then seems the ideal time to acknowledge the kindness and support of the community of Mundaring and the hundreds of SES volunteers who rallied to help find him. Many from far afield.
Despite the intense heat, they worked tirelessly for days but no trace of John has ever been found.
The police continued the search for longer than could have been expected given John’s medical conditions, employing helicopters, horses, motorbikes and drones as well as human resources.
In November a coronial enquiry ruled John is deceased.
The family is satisfied authorities not only searched thoroughly for him at the time of his disappearance, but have also explored all avenues to establish he is no longer alive.
Diana, Jono and Georgina Frylinck
Mundaring
