I find going into town a nightmare, not only because of the fees but parking close by to one’s appointment is almost impossible - one needs to be on roller blades to get back on time. 

The City of Launceston council fail dismally in encouraging  more traders and public to make it the place to be. Even with their plans for fancy walk-throughs won’t entice me into the city. They need to consult with the public on this issue.

I COULDN’T believe the amount of rubbish outside City Mission in Frederick Street when I drove past after Christmas.

This is a place that cares for less fortunate people than the majority of Launceston residents,  yet irresponsible people decide this is a good place to dump their Christmas rubbish. Shame on you Launceston, to the guilty rubbish dumpers you really have no heart and I hope one day you’ll realise what selfish people you are.

I doubt this is the only charitable organisation in Launceston that has to deal with this problem.Whatever happened to care and compassion?

REBECCA White and the Labor Party are to be congratulated for choosing to acknowledge community concerns, and to follow the lead of the Greens, who have long advocated for the removal of pokies from pubs and clubs. To remain successful and competitive all businesses need to adapt to changing times and attitudes, and successive polls and surveys have strongly suggested the majority of Tasmanians no longer support pokies in pubs and clubs.

To those who argue hospitality jobs will be lost as a result of the removal of these machines, perhaps it's time to review a business model that is outdated. A model that too often results in addiction, and financial and social harm both to patrons, their families, and the wider community.

There are plenty of alternative options pubs and clubs could consider that would not only help reinvigorate their businesses, but might also attract a broader clientele.

Themed food evenings, games nights, and reintroducing live music are just some of the alternative possibilities that could well encourage more people in the community to enjoy a convivial night out at their local. A win-win all round.

RALPH Marshall (The Examiner, December 27) should realise there is no lack of sensitivity or genuine concern for those who are designated refugees. On the other hand when the violins stop playing their over romantic serenade, facts remain. Only our democratically elected parliament can decide who enters Australia; such matters are not and can never be, decided by alien assemblies.

In reality "round condemnation" of our Australian policies on this subject is an outrageous and totally unjustified empty judgement made by those who are better at talking than dealing with the practical aspects of any global or local situation. . 

Behind the first string of refugees is a line of others reaching into infinity. Any sign of weakness will be taken as an open invitation to the people smugglers to open up their cruel, life-threatening and vile trade.

Australia has to have a policy, and like it or not, we have to stick to it to protect both the refugees and ourselves.

The romantic swirl of a thousand strings trying to play in unison although always slightly off key, may bring comfort to some but reality spoils their symphony.

THE STUDENT protests June 4,1989 in Tiananmen Square in Beijing China (where images of a student standing in front of a Chinese Army tank) are no doubt etched in many people’s minds.

What has become even more shocking of those events where figures of some 200 protesters were massacred is that the new documents reveal a staggering 10,000 people were killed at Tiananmen, to which the Chinese Government has covered up until now.

I say, any government anywhere in the world that can murder its own people (and there are a growing number of them) Syria, South Sudan and China to name a few, are despicable, brutal, and poisonous regimes that have no place in the corridors of power.

May 2018 see less of these tyrant leaders and their cronies.

CITY of Launceston Council by the sounds of things wants control of what tourists are informed about and volunteers are deemed not up to the task without expert tuition from council officers.

As Rocelyn Ives, one of the petition creator’s to the council regarding volunteers at the Cataract Gorge Basin Cottage, said: “Is it not everyone’s business to provide visitors to Launceston a way of finding information in general about Launceston?” (The Examiner, December 20)

Locals in most cases tend to know more on local issues than those who get their info out of books and manuals.

As a volunteer at the Launceston General Hospital I have handed out tourist maps and given directions to visitors in the city. A service station at Spreyton has a board of tourist brochures and gives directions to visitors. Are we both wrong to volunteer this information with expert advice.

FOR many of us on “struggle street”, our hearts would have leapt for joy when we read that Gina Rinehart had increased her fortune by a mere $3.5 billion.

But is she happy?