Quarry qualms are not just emotional, council
Thank you for your editorial of Friday, July 22 regarding the "cone of silence" that so often exists between the business dealings of Bathurst Regional Council and the interests of the general public.
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We in the Napoleon Reef community have continually found evidence of this agenda of silence and obfuscation regarding the imposition of a quarry into the centre of our community, regardless of unanimous community objections.
Lack of rigour and detail in the DA has been a constant problem during the entire process, not excluding the felling of many trees through a reserve in order to make a haulage road from the property entrance to Napoleon Reef Road.
Our community will be at this site on Saturday to express our concern at this next example of environmental vandalism.
We have been told that the trees to be felled will not be replaced nearby.
So much for alleged "offsetting".
Bathurst Regional Council is fond of referring to any form of opposition to its business dealings as "emotional".
I prefer to see a concern for the future health and well-being of our city and environment as a matter of importance, rather than merely "emotional".
Elizabeth Chandler, Napoleon Reef
Let’s see the story from all sides and perspectives
THE lens we choose to look through determines our perception of reality. Over the last few days, I have watched and listened to some people quickly judging and abandoning our Muslim community.
People who choose to view the world through the frame of one lens have only a one dimensional view of reality.
The challenge for me is to view the world through many lenses to acknowledge the diversity within our country.
If I look through the lens of the evil acts of the Lindt Cafe, of a police accountant murdered, of the recent incidents in France and Germany and the reality of I.S., I see brutality and evil and denounce these acts with every fibre of my being.
If I look through the lens at our border protection I see a conflicting reality where we must ruthlessly scrutinise anyone who tries to enter our country whilst keeping in mind those who need our refuge.
If I look through the lens of the young Muslim people I see they feel judged and threatened, unsure whether they should venture outside their home because of the verbal abuse and racism of a small minority.
When I look through the lens of mainstream Australians I see the desire for peace and acceptance of all people.
When I look through the lens of the mainstream Muslim community I see decent people who value Australia and its values and we cannot label them with the experience of terrorists and pure evil.
I work across many communities and with many young Muslim kids. I have some of the best youth workers, some of whom are Muslim, and they work with all young people regardless of their backgrounds.
We must embrace our common humanity and as a united community, shout down the evil done around the world from extremists.
Father Chris Riley
Generosity will help many children learn and grow
I’M writing to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the community of NSW for their support of The Smith Family’s 2016 Winter Appeal.
We launched the appeal in May to raise $3.65 million by June 30 to support the education of disadvantaged children.
I would like to thank every individual who made a donation. Your support will allow us to provide out-of-school learning and mentoring programs to more than 9000 disadvantaged children across Australia this term three and four.