No way to spend our rates
I agree with Len Jones ("Sydney move questioned", July 26) that the amount stated as the cost will be no way near total cost of providing an office and appropriate staff in Sydney. If the purpose is to recruit specialist staff then why not use an employment recruitment agency like most businesses?
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The agencies have the required resources locally, nationally and internationally to find and select people for interviews and arrange interviews with required Wagga Wagga City Council management personnel.
If the purpose is to engage specialist people to work out of the Sydney office then this aspect becomes a long-term project and a costly one. Commencing employment of specialist staff in Sydney does not mean that they will in the short term relocate to Wagga Wagga. From personal experience, a majority of staff will not relocate from a capital city to a regional city.
Personnel working in Sydney mean that they are disconnected form the local community of Wagga Wagga.
Wagga Wagga is the biggest inland regional city in NSW. Why does WWCC have issues in engaging required staff? I agree with Len that WWCC needs to have a look at its track record and conduct a review of its workplace. A workplace that provides an atmosphere of motivation and a sense of achieving outcomes in a timely manner attracts appropriate personnel.
I object to rates of the people of Wagga Wagga being spent in Sydney in the manner as advised by WWCC.
James Hamilton, Wagga
Heart breaks for babies
I write this letter with a heavy heart. Early next week, our NSW Parliament will debate a bill that puts no limitations on the termination of unborn babies under 22 weeks, as well as permitting late-term abortions.
I am writing to express my opposition to the Reproductive Healthcare Reform Bill.
The heart of the issue is this: At what point does the foetus become a person? That is, when is a foetus 'someone', not 'something'? If the foetus is a person, then it's morally wrong to kill him/her, because killing a person is murder. I believe that the foetus is a unique person when they are conceived, because Psalm 139:13 says that God has knit each of us together in our mother's womb.
Related:
Many argue that women should have the right to do what they like with their body. But the life of a baby is inside a woman's body, and not the woman's body itself.
However, I also write to challenge those who oppose abortion to consider how we can embrace unwanted children, and help mothers who might find it difficult raising children. We cannot just voice our opinion, but we who oppose abortion must do what we can to love those who are in need.
Because God has made all people in His image, I believe in the rights of all, especially the marginalised, the vulnerable, the weak, the needy, and those who don't have a voice.
Babies in their mother's wombs, of all people, need to have their rights protected. It would be a tragedy for civilisation if the most vulnerable of our society were silenced.
My heart breaks for all the unborn children whose unknown names, unlived lives and unfulfilled potentials will be terminated because of this bill. I urge you to write to your local MP and encourage them to vote 'no' against this bill.
Reverend Derek Yu, Minister at St Andrew's Presbyterian, Temora
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