Water
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A SCIENTIFIC fact for Enid (The Examiner, May 3) boiling your water supply does not get rid of heavy metals eg: lead.
Which scientific body told you that?`
— ELSA de RUYTER, St Helens.
Super trawler
SUPER trawler.
Vote and get rid of the politicians that gave it the nod.
Then get rid of the trawler and legislate for a total ban.
— PETER CHURCHILL, St Helens.
Legal system
OUR legal system has a duty of care to show no mercy to the teenager accused Melbourne bomber.
We definitely need, above all, a strong message of deterrent to these idiots considering such outlandish acts against humanity.
No matter what the age this is a serious terrorist threat to innocent Australians women and children.
For heaven’s sake IS is using our own compassion against us, this isn’t a game , a man’s terrorist crime a man’s terrorist sentence.
Anzac Day and Mothers Day planned days of terrorist destruction, what animals even contemplate this type of misery.
All terrorist crimes should be treated as an adult, no light sentences, no suspended sentences and no chance of parole.
Protect us.
— PETER DODDY, Trevallyn.
Burial
I FEEL compelled to express my sense of outrage at the recent article in The Examiner concerning the proposed hike in the cost of excavation and filling in of graves at Carr Villa Cemetery.
My understanding is that the article in The Examiner (May 2) does not present the full picture.
From enquiries made, I understand that the proposal is for a rate hike of 25 per cent per annum for the next three years on top of the 15 per cent increase already implemented for the last financial year - of course, each of these increases will be cumulative.
As a money making tax on death, this would seem to be scraping the bottom of the barrel and will be a great added imposition to families of limited means.
I would like to know who claims the credit for this preposterous impost proposal, undoubtedly, it would be the brainchild of a well paid bureaucrat.
Perhaps our current Aldermen need to be reminded that they are elected to represent the ratepayers and citizens of Launceston and to protect their interests and this includes the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
I call upon the citizens and ratepayers of Launceston to join with me in canvassing Aldermen (as I have already done) and voicing their concern at this unacceptable proposed rise in burial costs.
— A. ARCHER, Mowbray.
Marriage
SOME Upper House members who voted against the state same-sex marriage bill in 2012 said their electorates didn't support it.
The May 2 Upper House election proved that to be complete nonsense.
Two high-profile supporters of marriage equality, Mike Gaffney and Craig Farrell, were returned with whopping votes.
Mr Gaffney's opponent, Vivienne Gale, specifically campaigned against same-sex marriage and clearly it backfired on her.
Meanwhile, a high profile opponent of same-sex marriage, Ivan Dean, was also returned, but received a much lower vote than Messrs Gaffney or Farrell.
If the federal parliament again fails to pass marriage equality nationally, Saturday's Upper House election gives state MPs an impetus to try again at a state level.
— A. BADCOCK, Tasmanians United for Marriage Equality convener, Hobart.
Hospitals
IT’S no little wonder that the emergency departments in our hospitals and are always overflowing with patients.
My 18 month old daughter recently cut her hand on some glass, with blood dripping everywhere I ran across the road to our local doctors surgery for it to be checked out.
I was in and out in 20 minutes and she required one stitch to her hand.
$187.85 later.
Had I jumped in the car and made the 5 minute drive to the LGH, where I more than likely would of been seen straight away or had a small wait, due to her being a small child and the amount of blood, it would of cost me nothing.
Regardless if you are a family struggling to make ends meet $187.85 compared to $0 is a massive difference.
Whilst I hope I never have to make the trip again, I certainly know where I'll be going next time if it happens.
And it won't be the doctors surgery.
— K. SMITH, Summerhill.
TasWater
IN REPLY to “Toxic Water” (The Examiner, letters, May 3), TasWater agrees with Enid Denman’s concern over the health risks of lead contaminated drinking water.
However, we challenge the suggestion that TasWater has failed to act.
Since taking responsibility for water supplies, TasWater and its predecessor corporations have tested for metals contamination and when discovered, a “Do Not Consume” notice has been imposed in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
In these instances, we provide residents with an alternative source of drinking water and for the longer term are investigating or installing permanent alternative water supplies.
This activity is part of a $110 million investment to upgrade water and sewerage systems across Tasmania, with the north east gaining a fair share of this investment.
Lead in several North East water supplies is the legacy of the geology of the region, its mining history and infrastructure which doesn’t meet modern day standards.
TasWater is addressing the problem, working closely with the communities and DHHS.
— MICHAEL BREWSTER, TasWater, chief executive officer, Hobart.
Amazing Grace
CONGRATULATIONS to Claire van Ryn for her beautiful Faith Column on Monday (May 5).
The theme of the column was about how two young Australians (rehabilitated drug smugglers) waiting for the bullets from the firing squad to slam into their bodies, sang Amazing Grace.
How compassionately she captured that dreadful moment and also revealed the beauty and saving power of that much loved hymn they sang.
There is no doubt in my mind that out of that tragedy, God's name was glorified, when two repentant sinners, just like the thief on the Cross, found Grace in the eyes of the Lord, in death.
Thank you Claire.
— I. MACPHERSON, Newstead.
Forest
IN the article headed Hope For Forest In Carbon Storage (The Examiner, May 3),
a statement by Ecologist andU/Tas .student Nick Fitzgerald requires comment.
His statement that, “Clearing will release all of that carbon in the wood into the atmosphere”, is either a deliberate attempt to mislead readers or displays a total lack of knowledge of carbon storage in wood products.
Felling a tree does not release all of the carbon stored into the atmosphere.
The carbon remains stored in the wood products produced the from that tree
for the life of that product.
This could in some cases be in excess of 100 years.
Harvesting our forests on an 80 to 100 year rotation will ultimately store more carbon
than leaving them uncut.
The regenerating forest will then store more carbon.
There may be good reasons not to harvest the Lapoinya coupe but carbon storage is not one of them.
— L. MILLAR, Hillwood.
Detention
AN advert on TV tells us that the first five years of a child's life is extremely important and can mold a child for life.
I just wonder what those children in detention on Naru or Manus will turn out like after being incarcerated in camps, no better than concentration camps, for their young lives.
However, they arrive here they are still only little children, and Australia is supposed to have a duty of care for them according to the Minister responsible.
I hope that in the future other countries don't have the same 'care' if it ever comes to pass that Australian children are ever in that situation! I does not show Australia as a caring, compassionate country.
We have a small number of refugees when one looks at the numbers arriving in Italy and should treat everyone as a human being, not detritus washed up on our beaches.
— G. SLEURINK, Launceston.