Courteous charity footsoldiers are a credit to the capital city

The use of intemperate language by the chief executive of Essential Edinburgh to describe the lawful and legitimate activities of public spirited charities and individuals as "charity muggers" is a cheap shot and is I suggest inappropriate language for any organisation in receipt of public money to use.

Within a free society, an individual is as much at liberty to inform members of the public of the charitable work of an organisation and seek their support as any business is to advertise their wares and seek public custom.

It is surely no part of this organisation's remit to seek the removal of that liberty for the voluntary sector for the gain of private business. The many charities based in the Capital, who depend on exactly these types of donations, make a significant contribution to the social and economic good of the city and beyond.

I fail to see how "clamping down" on charity fundraising advances in any way the cause of Edinburgh as a world-class city and if anything serves to undermine rather than enhance the reputation of our capital city.

Jim Eadie, Brunswick Street, Edinburgh

Give us your best suggestion, please

PAUL Godzik criticises the council administration without offering any useful alternative course of action ("Commie revamp struggles to keep head above water", News, 10 March), which exposes the fact he has none. The role of opposition is, rightly, to hold the administration to account, but surely supporters expect party representatives to explain how they would do things differently? When Councillor Godzik comes up with concrete proposals, we shall take his opinions seriously.

Building materials containing asbestos were widely used in construction, particularly in the 1960s when the Royal Commonwealth Pool was built. Our contractor has been working hard to remove the material in a safe and methodical manner so work can progress as per the refurbishment schedule.

The budget and schedule for the project are as previously reported, any changes will be reported to the council via an update report in June this year.

Councillor Deidre Brock, convener for culture and leisure, Edinburgh City Council

Happy posties can deliver us from ills

NOW that postal workers look set to agree a deal with Royal Mail brought about with trade union solidarity, other vulnerable low-paid workers not in a union must consider joining one.

A 6.9 per cent pay rise over three years, job security and a reduction in working hours is not only good news for postal workers and their families, it is also good news for customers because it offers stability for the next three years.

I wonder if any businessman would agree that happy, properly paid postal workers can only be good for business which could in fact help lift us out of recession.

Instead of cutting vital public services to the detriment of frontline workers and users, politicians shouldn't be making these innocent people pay for the greed of politicians and others.

Jack Fraser, Clayknowes Drive, Musselburgh

Problem Lib Dems have to address

AS A resident of Marionville Road, I live well within the Edinburgh East constituency. Having already clocked the article "New Lib Dem leaflet bungle" (News, 3 March), imagine my astonishment after returning home from work to find a newsletter from the Edinburgh North and Leith Liberal Democrats!

The Lib Dems like to think of themselves as major challengers across Edinburgh, even in seats such as Edinburgh South, which the bookies are predicting will very likely go Tory.

I question how the Lib Dems can be taken seriously anywhere when they continually prove themselves incapable of distinguishing between where one constituency boundary ends and another begins. If the party cannot even organise a leaflet delivery, it is incapable and undeserving of being afforded the opportunity of providing a voice in parliament for the people of Edinburgh.

N Cook, Marionville Road, Edinburgh