Dogs on the loose a problem
Dear Echo News,

So as a responsible dog owner I take my two dogs for a regular walk each night.

Anyway, I’m walking along Chidlow Street on the footpath and along comes a juvenile on a motorbike.

I had to quickly move the dogs on their leads aside to avoid a collision, the bike rider did not slow down at all.

Kids on motor bikes currently have free rein in Mount Helena streets at 5pm daily.

I decided to walk the dogs up Kingswood Street only to have a large aggressive dog rush out and grab my gentle giant by the neck, so I went mental and kicked the dog off and retreated home. A trip to the vet turned out to be a costly exercise.

So, I changed tack and decided to walk the dogs one at a time up Magee Street only to have a loose Rottweiler come barrelling towards us.

Luckily it turned out to be female and because my dog was male no attack ensued.

The owner was out the front with two dogs loose and was of the impression that she had total control over her dogs.

So, time passed, and I felt safe and decided to risk taking both dogs and that night the same loose rottweiler came charging at the female dog.

I managed to fend it off by yelling and kicking the dog in the head. Luckily it took off.

So, as you can see, I am totally sick of irresponsible people and their loose dogs and motor bike riding children.

Am I alone in this?

Resident
Mount Helena

Voices for Bullwinkel concerns
Dear Echo News,

As another horrific, almost weekly, accident at the corner of Scott Street and Great Eastern Highway happened at the Darlington Arts Festival, Voices of Bullwinkel asked voters, “What matters to you?”

High on priorities was Great Eastern Highway with comments like: “What has happened to the Orange route to get large trucks off Great Eastern Highway that was promised 20 years ago?”

“Why can’t oversized mining vehicles be limited to 6pm to 6am daily and stop blocking hundreds on their way to schools and work?”

“Why can’t speed limits drop to 60km/h before Old York Rd coming down the hill?”

Despite many residents along Great Eastern Highway asking the shire, Midland MLA Michelle Roberts and Main Roads for urgent changes they seem to waste taxpayer dollars on building kilometres of barriers from Darlington to Glen Forrest.

These are not saving lives and have resulted in three deaths since they were installed. Changing speed limits cost taxpayers nothing and saves lives and accidents.

Changes like extending the 70km/h speed limit going up the hill until after Old York Road would still allow trucks to maintain speed to get up the hill.

While lowering the speed to 60km/h coming down the hill from before Old York Road would have little effect on trucks efficiency, but help reduce over 95 per cent of accidents at the Scott Street intersection caused by vehicles speeding down the hill.

Greenmount has been classified as suitable for aged care and over 55 units and many much older residents risk their lives every day trying to enter or cross GEH.

There is a bus pull off lane coming down the hill just before Scott Street.

Residents have asked for this to be extended a mere 15m to the entrance to Greenmount Rise to avoid the many tailenders residents have experienced. No wonder your insurance premiums are rising.

Voices of Bullwinkel has been established to give voters a real say in what matters to them rather than being told by politicians in Perth or Canberra.

It is not a political party but seeks to engage the community to stand up for what is important to them and to put pressure on local politicians to offer real and better representation and consultation.

They can be contacted via Facebook Voices of Bullwinkel.

C Hughes
Midland

Salvos Red Shield anniversary
Dear Echo News,

We have heard time and time again people tell their children: “Never walk past The Salvos without giving a donation, because they helped us (or your grandparents) during the war.’’

It is a sentiment that has been around for generations and still exists today.

Along legacy that The Salvation Army has had during devastating times of war and conflict, where they have provided a safe space of rest and support.

This year marks the 125-year anniversary of The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Defence Services (RSDS) supporting those during these difficult times.

And on behalf of The Salvos, it has been an honour to have served defence members, shoulder to shoulder, during times of war over the past 125 years.

We cast our minds back to the second Boer War in November 1899, when Salvation Army founder William Booth said: “Investigate what can be done for our soldiers in the field of battle.”

Since then, The Salvos have been looking to find ways to support Australia’s service men and women wherever they find themselves.

Indeed, there hasn’t been a major conflict or peace-keeping effort since the Boer War where The Salvos haven’t been there to bring support and hope.

From the two World Wars to conflicts in Malaya, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Somalia, East Timor, the Middle East, and more, The Salvos have been there.

During major conflicts, the RSDS, affectionately known as the Sallyman or Sallyma’an, were on the ground with soldiers to provide a warm drink or refreshments, a bite to eat, and most importantly a place to have a chat in a safe space.

The Salvos are proud of the strong bond we have created with our service men and women across the nation, and around the world. In these times of devastating violence, hardship and injustice, The Salvos look to bring a glimmer of hope and support to those who really need it.

We continue this important work to this day.

Major Gallagher
Salvation Army