Letters: 'Grinch' bosses forgetting about season of goodwill

WHAT a shame the economic situation has brought the spirit of "The Grinch" to Christmas (News, September 9).

Popular attractions such as Santa and his reindeer and the Santa Express train line are being shelved, and the annual Great Scottish Santa Fun Run has also been axed.

It's no great surprise that with the hard times we're all having to face, Santa is getting the sack – and one which won't be filled with goodies.

Nowadays, Christmas is big business, an expensive luxury we'll have to do without as the wintry wind of recession chills us all.

I'm old enough to remember happy Christmases when kids enjoyed the magic of the festivities without all the Disney-style glitz the season now means to so many.

Special and magical were words associated with Christmas in the past, but in recent years it has become more of a spendathon, where the biggest winners have been credit card companies, with overspending parents desperate to put a smile on the faces of children with huge expectations.

Perhaps one of our councillors could step in and breathe some spirit into the season of goodwill to all, as a sort of 'City Father' Christmas. I can think of one candidate who would cut a dash in the big red suit. Steve Cardownie, anyone? Ho! Ho! Ho!

Andrew Dougal, Restalrig Road, Edinburgh

Crossing guards must be kept on

I AM very concerned about the news that the council plans to axe lollipop men/women from sites with crossings (News, September 8).

Our crossing has a green man but it is still dangerous for children. There is a right turn without a filter which often results in cars going across the green man. Also, children make mistakes and are easily distracted by their footballs, scooters and so on. My son has been able to go to school alone safely since the age of eight, only because of our patient, kind and reliable lollipop man John Rudden. I have often seen him stop children who have tried to run over after the green man.

Might I suggest that a better way of finding savings would be to axe managers at Waterloo Place? They get paid much more.

Jackie Kemp, Leith

Another question for tram chiefs

WITH a decision imminent on Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) relating to the tram, now is the time to ask, 'Is the tram a bus or a train?'. Part of the justification for some of the TROs is that the Office of the Rail Regulator has jurisdiction over the issue, so clearly a tram is a train.

On the other hand, the proponents of the scheme have repeatedly stated that holders of free bus passes will be able to use it, so it must be a bus, as such passes don't work on trains. So, which is it – a bus, a train or just a white elephant?

Simon Shearer, Carfrae Road, Edinburgh

Don't forget this is Labour's mess

I STRONGLY suggest that the country's governing powers are handed back to New Labour. They should be made to sort out the unholy mess that they left our country in.

Then we will all be able to sit back and criticise their every effort in trying to get the country back on its feet again.

They continually bump their gums when the present government comes up with ideas.

Instead of blowing hot and cold, they should be uniting with all political parties to pull together, tighten our belts and live with the pain until this massive debt reduces.

R Ritchie, Livingston

Criticism of police is simply criminal

I WAS disappointed at the negative slant taken by your paper on Wednesday with regard to the published crime rates.

Although the eight per cent fall in Lothian and Borders' crime rate is mentioned, the article ignores that across Scotland, crime is at a 32-year low.

I'd like to record my gratitude to the Lothian and Borders policemen and women.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, MSP