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Pardon me for inquiring, but I read with great interest and anticipation, the Douglas councillors’ ambitious plans for the golf course (Manx Independent last week).

Are these the same councillors (led by Mr Christian) who had wonderful plans for a lovely town square, which is now left derelict, a disgraceful eyesore for visitors and residents to look at when they start their journey along the promenade.

It is still a rubbish tip, a filthy hoarding, shielding mounds of rubble, which is now beginning to look like a builders’ yard.

This space could have many uses (at a minimum cost), i.e. a paved area with a few benches and seats and some plants for people to sit and have lunch etc., or, an extra car parking area, or motorcycle parking area to be used during race weeks to ease congestion on the promenade.

We don’t want Douglas golf course to end up the same at the ‘town square’.

For heaven’s sake, leave things alone Mr Christian.

Brenda Quayle, Douglas

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There are two issues I wish to comment on, arising from the Examiner of January 24 and they both concern the holiday trade, which we must all, I’m sure, strive to maintain or, better still, grow.

Firstly, if Douglas doesn’t want to create a wharf for cruise liners, let them come to Ramsey with a floating wharf moored off and connecting to, the pier.

This would be a wonderful boost to the north of the island and would, incidentally, give Ramsey pier a real purpose. The railway along it could be revived to carry those passengers too idle (or lame, alas) to walk. (I hope it’s deep enough? If not, could it be dredged?)

My second issue is to point out that the Park Hotel is not on the promenade (yet) as suggested in your article on page 16.

It is set back with its rear to the prom, and actually fronts the Mooragh Park.

If and when this extension is built, it will be brought nearer the Prom but the best it can offer in terms of design on that elevation, is a Staircase Tower.

I’m surprised Ramsey Commissioners have accepted that!

Just a side-line on the cruise liner issue: an island we regularly visit, not all that much bigger than ours – and certainly with a smaller population and less scenic attraction, has recently extended its port so that seven large cruise liners can berth at the same time. Think of the revenue that brings in?

They’ve accommodated 19 in a month! (October, I think it was.)

Ian K Bleasdale, Church Road, Maughold

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It seems the Isle of Man Government are in financial dire straits once again and as such I have a suggestion as to how more revenue could be put into the exchequer’s coffers.

In Australia, New Zealand and the USA it is an offence to park facing into oncoming traffic.

Perhaps if the laws were changed over here then drivers who park facing the traffic rather than park with the flow could be fined.

This would not only add to the incoming revenue but also cut out the number of accidents because of drivers pulling out and colliding with oncoming cars.

And while we’re on the subject of bad parking, those inconsiderate people who work in Lord Street and Athol Street think it is acceptable to use the Tesco car park as their own personal car park.

Because of their couldn’t-care-less attitude people like my wife and me have difficulty parking at Tesco to do our daily shopping.

Stop using it as a free car park.

Mark Watson, Tynwald Road, Willaston

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Today while having coffee in a Douglas coffee shop I over heard a guy telling a female colleague that he had got a posting ‘across’.

He was clearly happy and very much looking forward to moving.

The colleague then informed him that she also was leaving the island soon, subsequently highlighting that most of he people she knows (presumably in her age group) are looking to leave the island also.

Soon afterwards while ordering food in a Douglas restaurant I explained what I had overheard to the waitress who was supplementing income while studying and asked her view, she informed that she will leave at the first opportunity as there is nothing in place for young people and opportunities in her view are limited.

If younger people feel disenfranchised in this regard and leave the island, it is likely that it will become increasingly staid, non-vibrant and generally less attractive as a place to reside with all of the other issues associated with reducing numbers.

Of course my findings are statistically non-viable but in view of the migration figures outlined in the demographic time bomb article, is it time for the politicians to engage in this regard or the taxi drivers to keep on smiling?

Name and address supplied

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I read the story of the young woman who travelled to Merseyside for an abortion with first tears, then a growing anger

(Isle of Man Examiner this week).

She is obviously an articulate, bright woman who exercised the best choice for her – and that’s what it was, a choice.

Dr Allinson MHK’s private member’s bill – once, as I hope, it becomes law – will defend the rights of women like ‘C’ to make that choice without having to travel to clinics across, allow proper independent counselling to be available here, and at the same time keep what’s best about the current legislation: the rights of the medical professionals whose religious faith makes them uncomfortable with abortion, to opt out.

The Health Minister said that there is no evidence that shows the current law should be reformed, but stories like that of ‘C’ are surely exactly that: women are paying for abortions, travelling for abortions, and not regretting their choice to have an abortion.

But why should she and others like her have to go through this? I suspect that more of these stories will come to light in the weeks and months before Dr Allinson’s bill is presented – ‘C’s bravery in telling her story will encourage others to follow suit.

The interviews with Ballakermeen students were telling. If no student opposed to reform attended the session with your reporter is that because there are none, or that those who are happy with the status quo were ashamed to be seen talking to her?

For too long it has been those who’ve had abortions who are stygmatised, so if young people who are against modernisaton of the current legislation are now ashamed of their stance, that’s progress in my eyes.

As Dr Hannan said in his letter, whether we like it or not women will continue to have abortions and, like him, I believe that it should be safe, accessible and legal. Surely this isn’t too much to ask?

Name and address supplied