Council Members - In the past few months, there has been a lot of public, and not so public, debate about seven day ferry service, seven day use of council facilities and seven day golf. Much of this has been heated, often with insults being traded on both sides. One would think that in this day and age it would be possible for people to live side by side regardless of their differences and individual wants and needs.
A recent letter in The Herald newspaper stated: 'that for the fiercest Sunday ferry advocates, the humiliation of Island religion and the spiting of local believers is an end in itself.' This is both offensive and outrageous.
We are advocates
of freedom of choice, which includes seven day sailings, seven day sports facilities and seven day golf. We are not advocates of the humiliation or spiting of any individual or group.
We do not understand why we are unable to take our three children swimming on a Sunday if we wish, why we are unable to travel across the Minch on a Sunday if we wish, why we are unable to go for a round of golf on a Sunday if we wish and why any individual is unable to go to the Church of their choice on a Sunday and then partake in any of the above activities if they so wish.
It is unfair, unjust and immoral for a section of the community to actively prohibit others from exercising their freedom of choice and enjoying such simple pleasures as swimming, golf and travel. Participating in any of these activities in no way impinges on any other individual's freedom of choice.
In your role as a Councillor, we urge you to raise the issue of Sunday opening of the sports centre and represent the views of those who actually use these facilities.
In your role as a Councillor, you have no say in the decisions made about the golf club, unless, off course, you are a member of The Stornoway Trust. In which case, we urge you to represent the views of those who actually want to use these facilities, bearing in mind that an overwhelming majority of golf club members voted in favour of Sunday golf.
In your role as a Councillor, you have no say in the decisions made by Caledodian MacBrayne, unless, off course, you are a member of the Caledonian MacBrayne Board. In which case, we urge you to represent the views of the 6000 plus who have signed the e-petition and paper petition in favour of the introduction of seven day sailings between Stornoway and Ullapool.
We look forward to hearing from you.
GEORGE & HELEN MACLEOD
Duart
8 Goathill Road
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2NJ
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