Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,
I was recently driving the old highway out of town with my 2 younger nieces in my car. As  I turned the last bend doing 60km (which is 5 below the signage), there were 3 bike riders parallel to each other. Now seriously, do these riders think that a vehicle travelling at 60km can halt to 5km in a 5 metre radius? My options were to either hit the 3 riders, drive onto the opposite side of the road and risk a head on, or veer to the left and hope I didn’t run off the  road. I chose the latter, causing damage to my vehicle.
I would like to inform these inconsiderate  riders that they are giving the considerate riders a bad name. If they want to ride parallel and have a chat, then I suggest they go to Coastlands and do a spin class.

Do these people really think their light weight bikes are a match for a heavy weighted vehicle?
Stop being delusional. You cannot peddle faster than a car, you cannot keep up with the traffic, so therefore STAY out of traffic’s way. Either ride single file, or ride the bike tracks that our local council have provided for you.
Penelope Jones,
Helensburgh
PS. For those riders that aren’t a problem to the traffic, SORRY, but you need to tell your co-riders to stop giving you a bad name.

Dear Editor,
Christmas eight years ago; bushfires in Helensburgh.
The fire jumps into our garden. Then, by some miracle or chance, the wind changes direction and our house is saved. Thanks also go to our diligent neighbour and the ‘firies’. Meanwhile, hundreds of people are in a tension-filled traffic jam up the hill as the twilight comes on and burning embers sweep around the unmoving cars, packed with children and whatever pets and possessions they can save. Access out of town is at a standstill. Thank God there were no fatalities.
 Roads are just one aspect of infrastructure that need to be reviewed and upgraded before the population expands in our area. An unelected Wollongong Council wishes to rezone and redevelop, 350 homes (minimum) will be plonked on top of the catchment source of the Hacking River. Natural corridors for biodiversity in the Royal National Park will be cut off. Urban runoff, land clearing, traffic, parking, power and sewerage problems: all have not had comprehensive recent studies. The last one was opposed to such changes.

The Helensburgh area is still a bush township. Beautiful even though close to Sydney. It’s not ready to be a housing sprawl suburb. Previous ELECTED local councils saw no reason for this to change. New home-buyers would be short-changed and existing residents, even those who wish to re-develop, would be facing a downgrading for the present and danger for the future of the whole locality. Ill-advised rezoning changes our lives forever.
 S. Goldrick,
Helensburgh

Dear Editor,
September was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and we organised a sausage sizzle on Saturday 26th September in front of the old Workers Club.
I would like to say a huge  "THANK YOU" to the Lions Club, Al and Lissa's Butchers, Bi-Lo and Grima Brothers for helping make this event possible.  Al kindly donated all of the sausages and helped me to raise $510 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
What a wonderful community we have in Helensburgh with people always opening the wallets and hearts for a good cause. I was truly touched by the support and kindness of you all. I would also like to thank my wonderful family and friends from the bottom of my heart for their help on the day.
Kristy Smith,
Helensburgh

Dear Editor,
I was somewhat mystified and disappointed by the comment in the Cheers & Jeers column in the October issue (p 19) regarding the “tacky Religious signs” that have been “plastering our town”.
I don’t see the signs as being either “tacky” or “plastering the town” as they are well produced and carry a strong message of hope in a world that sees our society on a ever increasing downward spiral.
I am not a regular church goer,  but I do have a strong faith.
Maybe the Helensburgh & District News team should have a closer look at themselves regarding the wording of their columns and the messages they carry. The comment “ one reader thinks etc” draws my reply. If you need to comment have the intestinal fortitude to put your name to it.
James W. Eades,
Stanwell Tops

Dear Mr Eades,
The Helensburgh and District News will publish contributions provided they are not slanderous or defamatory. There is always a broad spectrum of views to be represented in any community. The reader in question did send in his name, but we don’t attach names to the Cheers and Jeers column, so it was our editorial omission and not his lack of “intestinal fortitude”. We welcome healthy debate.
Editors.