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9 May, 2008
IN REPLY to Leslie Lowes (‘Accentuate
the positive’; SN 7/5/08) and Aberdeen councillor
John M. Corall (‘Don't
bicker Mareel to death’; SN 7/5/08).
I have just experienced the 28th Shetland Folk Festival, conducted
all over Shetland in various sizes of makeshift venues such as
village halls, Islesburgh Community Centre, The Clickimin Centre,
Royal British Legion etc and what a superb extravaganza of juggling,
dance, fun entertainment and stunning music - all possible with
perfectly acceptable quality of sound, brilliant atmosphere and all
without Mareel!
Regarding ‘Accentuate the positive’, whilst the festival was
underway and soaking up the real ale and fabulous atmosphere at the
festival clubhouse at Islesburgh I read in the Shetland Times that
Isleburgh's running costs were to come under the council’s
spotlight.
Fair enough, as this is a very well used community facility, mostly
for young folk, but with loads of things for non youngsters, paid
for out of a mix of council tax, room/equipment hire and charitable
trust support.
It is highly appropriate and necessary to seek savings, efficiencies
etc and keep all public funded facilities and services under
scrutiny due to the fact we are already living beyond our means here
in Shetland. Mareel will significantly add to the overspending
burden and put at risk facilities and services currently enjoyed by
many, such as Islesburgh.
Regarding ‘Don't bicker Mareel to death"’, Aberdeen city councillor
John M. Corall's comments in support of Mareel are absurd given
Aberdeen City Council's implementation of cuts of £27 million
involving the closing down of a number of successful and needed
services to the elderly and disabled community in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen City Council's present problems are attributed to nothing
more than a historic spending of more than their total income.
Councillor Corrall's confusion between capital and revenue spending
clearly reveals why Aberdeen is in such dire straights. Shetland
doesn't need his obviously flawed advice as here in Shetland we need
to avoid the serious situation of spending more than we can afford.
Mareel will make serious demands on the public purse at a time when
we need to reduce demands. Mareel is a facility too far!
Vic Thomas
Hoswick
Shetland
vic.thomas@btopenworld.com
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