Do the councils care about Otley? (From Wharfedale Observer)

Do the councils care about Otley?

9:40am Thursday 31st December 2009

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Do Otley people have a town council and Leeds City Council that bothers at all about the people of Otley?

I think not. I go out walking every day in all weathers with my dad and cannot believe the condition of the footpaths in Otley since we had this snow fall.

The paths are just like a skating rink. There has been no attempt to clear them at all. I have slipped on more than one occasion and have seen people slipping over in the town and on the footpaths in the parks.

My dad went down like a rock the other day. What a panic I was in as I am only four years old and could not pull him up. Luckily, he was not hurt and soon got up. I am lucky that I have four feet which does help keep your balance a bit more.

Could we please have some sand thrown on these paths and make sure we never get into this position again. Oh, and please don’t tell me we are short of salt, as we hear on TV every night that we have enough salt in stock for this winter.

Skye Smith

Black cocker spaniel

Impetus for change can come from towns like Otley

Godfrey Bloom (Wharfedale Observer Letters, December 17) says that the people in t-shirts in Copenhagen knew little about the subject, and goes on to make three assertions on CO2 as a pollutant, on global warming leading to a “boiling” earth, and on the scientific consensus on climate change – denying all three.

In the first he can say that CO2 is not a ‘polluting’ gas in the same way as CFCs, or low-level ozone, but in the context of its ability to trap long-wave radiation from the Earth, its increased production by humans over the last 150 years, and the likely detrimental effects on humans we are right to regard it as a pollutant.

On the second there is clear evidence from a range of sources – medium-term temperature records, sea level records, species ranges, etc, that global warming is occurring. It is not suggested that we are headed to a ‘boiling’ Earth, but it is suggested that the temperature rises that will occur as CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere continues, will cause areas to flood (already the occupants of low-lying atolls off Bouganvillea have had to move to the main island), and the extension of areas of desert – in particular into southern Europe. These will cause the displacement of hundreds of millions of people with a consequent stress on the areas nearby (most forced migrants move to the nearest alternative in the hope of being able to return), and the social consequences that will follow. The evidence is simple, clear and can be read on graphs mapping temperature change and changes in CO2 concentration over the last 200 years.

On the scientific consensus, it is almost complete – and the detail of the argument is available to be read. We can argue about the speed of change, the potential consequences, and the longer-term effects, but not about what is happening.

Linked, of course, to our burning millions of years accumulated carbon in a couple of centuries is the linked issue of depletion of these fossil resources – needed for so many other things beside fuel. Decades or centuries are long in human terms but held against the millions of years that it took the carbon to accumulate underground they are nothing. We are beyond ‘peak oil’, and our children will feel the effects.

One of the messages that came out of the relative ‘failure’ of the Copenhagen conference was that the impetus for change had to come from the grassroots, from the community upward, not from government – and that is something that Mr Bloom might welcome.

Otley as a community is an ideal place for that process to begin – with Otley seeking to become a ‘transition town’ – I am sure that there are people in the town, including those behind the welcome ‘Otley pound’ initiative who would want to be involved. It may be one of the issues that comes up when the Otley Green Party is launched in the New Year.

Martin Hemingway

North West Leeds Green Party

We celebrate with rejoicing heart

Having read Thought For The Week, Christmas Message by Rev S Jenkins (Wharfedale Observer, December 24), I simply wanted to offer another view point.

I am neither an ordained minister nor a bible scholar; I am a mother or two who, after 36 years of absolute and informed atheism, gave her life to God in April 2009.

I agree that the best things can be found in unexpected places. I can also say that going to church and celebrating the birth of Jesus was the best thing about our very happy and joyful Christmas. This is the case for my immediate family in Ilkley and for my extended family in the UK.

The services we attended during Advent and on December 25 were neither boring nor amateurish, but a privilege and a pleasure to be a part of.

It is with a glad and rejoicing heart that we celebrate that God chose to send His only son into the world. The context in which we celebrate and worship, at Christmas and all year round, is exciting, relevant, contemporary and fun. It helps us to understand the bible and God’s word. It guides us in our daily walk with Christ. God willing, this continues to be the most exalting and humbling experience of our lives.

Nikki Barber

Kings Road, Ilkley

MEP confident that region’s fortunes will be restored

During 2009 the whole of the country has struggled with the worst recession for over a century and sadly we must learn from some of our European Partners on the best way forward.

In the UK unemployment remains a major worry for many people. Yorkshire and The Humber in particular has been hit very hard by the downturn and the many blows to the region’s manufacturing industry have been very significant.

In contrast, in Germany and France, the recession ended months ago. Their governments got spending under control and worked with businesses large and small to keep their economies going and prepare for the future upturn.

However, in Greece, where the previous Socialist government racked up massive public debts, the country lost its credit rating and, as a result, deep public spending cuts combined with higher interest rates have been required to restore the economy.

In the UK, in 2010 we will face a clear choice between Labour’s reckless spending spree – fuelled by much higher taxes and a giant mountain of debt – and a realistic but prudent Conservative Government that wants to restore some balance to our economy and some positive prospects for us all.

However, at the moment we have the worst of all options, public spending cuts forced on sensible things like vitally important transport projects in the region, including the Leeds New Generation Transport scheme and the A63 improvements in Hull, at the same time combined with higher national insurance for both workers and companies and of course an interest bill on our national debt that is even higher than the vital defence budget.

In 2009, the Conservatives demonstrated that we can win national elections by coming first in the Euro poll. But next year the General Election will provide the chance for real change in the UK.

I’ve got to know David Cameron well over recent years. Working with him to develop our policies for Europe I know he is a man of his word and can be trusted by the British People. 2010 will give him the chance to put his ideas into practice.

Despite this turbulent time the spirit of the people of Yorkshire and The Humber has not been broken. Our region is resilient and I am confident that, working together, we can restore our fortunes and move ahead again. I am sure the challenges ahead will be bring out the best in everyone.

My very best wishes for 2010 to all my constituents.

Timothy Kirkhope

MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber

Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament

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