So, having already looked at horse racing (Letters, August 13) we should address recreational fishing.

Imagine if I strolled into the Memorial Gardens with fishing tackle, a bucket of water and some fresh meat to use as bait. I then bait a hook and cast it toward a couple of magpies feeding on the grass.

One takes the bait and as he swallows it I jerk the rod to set the hook in his throat. I then reel him in as he screams and tries to fly away.

But despite his fighting he is doomed. I grab him and plunge him into the water and hold him under, still struggling, while he drowns.

Does that sound like a fair way to treat an animal to you? If not, how is it okay to treat fish that way? Apart from not being able to scream, their response is exactly the same as the bird's.

The science is pretty settled now that fish feel pain like any other sentient animal. To torture and kill them for fun is simply immoral.

Mike O'Shaughnessy

Spence

For 47 years, since August 1969, I have enjoyed living in one of the quietest and most peaceful highly sought-after streets in Wagga; the western residential end of Gurwood Street.

Gurwood Street has always been friendly, safe and beautiful. It has been a nice place to live and retire, and now in my later stage of life, I love this street exactly the way it is.

It is upsetting that developer, Debbie Cox and The Sanctuary Byron Bay are trying to open their Riverina Recovery business here.

This drug and alcohol treatment business is not in keeping with our safe peaceful residential environment I ask our councillors, those whom we have elected to represent us: how would you like this business that will bring a revolving door of troubled people dumped in your neighbourhood.

It is too late afterwards, if something bad happens!

Which councillor is willing to stand up (on record) and guarantee our peace, safety and well-being?

Councillors, please put yourselves in our shoes.

Could you convince your neighbours that this business belongs in their residential street, next door or near their children?

Would your neighbours be happy if the value of their properties decreased as result of this business?

Anyone, genuinely desiring to get themselves detoxed, will do this regardless of location.

On behalf of myself and my good neighbours, this rehab business does not belong in Gurwood Street, nor in any other well-established residential street with women and children.

As our elected councillors, you have a certain responsibility. Our women and children need protecting! - There are other options!

The developers can and should open their centre elsewhere.

Joe Magro

Wagga

So the commissioner says he “wasn't responsible for the decisions that were made ...” the night of the Lindt Cafe siege. Yeah right, that's why you're the commissioner.

I'll tell you one thing - if the Lindt Cafe fiasco had ended successfully, I know who would've been standing in the limelight accepting the kudos.

What a cop-out.

Daryl Lasalo Purcell

Wagga