My first contact with Council on this matter was in October 2013, wherein I raised the concerns of a visiting Port Macquarie family, who expressed disappointment in or city’s cleanliness.

Since then, with the co-operation of the Northern Daily  Leader staff and, some very concerned residents,  the matter has been publicised on many occasions- all to no avail.

I now understand that Council is proposing to pressure clean the pavers between Bourke and  White streets before the end of this year.

This will be followed by the  anti-slip sealing of the paving between Bourke and Brisbane and Fitzroy and White Streets-the area between Brisbane and Fitzroy having already been  anti-slip sealed.

I would like to express my thanks to the assistance received from the NDL, the co-operation of some elected Councillors and, Tamworth residents.

When this is completed, all that remains  is for action to be taken to have the owners of some of the premises within our CBD take similar action to have the fronts of their premises  thoroughly cleaned. This duty is the responsibility of the registered owners, either directly or, through their Lessees or Managing Agents.

I look forward to our CBD looking like the main streets of the Silver or Sapphire Cities.

Once again thank you Northern Daily Leader for your support over the years.

Reg Brody, Tamworth

In considering the debate about same-sex marriage, it must be recognised that this is about redefining marriage - it is not about marriage equality. A same-sex relationship cannot be regarded as marriage because it is totally different to real marriage.  Marriage is an institution specially created for a man and a woman to enter into a long term loving relationship for the purpose of procreating children in a stable family setting.

When this issue was first being considered, it was a matter of redefining marriage. It had little support. This changed when the catch cry was changed to marriage equality. This had much more appeal because we are great believers in equality and fairness. Love is certainly an important criterion for marriage but the other criteria, described above, are essential for real marriage. Hence there is no logical case supporting same sex marriage.

There are only about 20 countries out of a total of 190 where marriage has been redefined in this way. In a referendum several years ago, Austria rejected same sex marriage. In the much quoted Irish referendum, only about 40% of the population voted in favour because only 60% of the population voted.

The people of the majority world must be mystified by this anti-natural movement which is causing tremendous and unnecessary division in our society. Remember that less than one percent of people  are involved in same sex relationships, and many of these don't want to be married. These people already enjoy the same material benefits as married couples.

There is no doubt that freedom of speech and freedom of religion will be affected  adversely by such a change.. If this change occurs we will live to regret it.

Ian Holford, Tamworth

A survey released by Alzheimer’s Australia, Dementia and the Impact of Stigma, has found people living with dementia and their carers often experience embarrassing situations, feel socially disconnected and less competent.

During Dementia Awareness Month this September, Alzheimer’s Australia is raising awareness and understanding of dementia so people living with the condition can be better supported to feel less isolated and alone.

The survey can be found online at fightdementia.org.au. I encourage your readers to find out more about dementia through our website or if they have any questions or concerns to call our National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

Maree McCabe, CEO Alzheimer’s Australia

I note the presence of Labor Senator Sam Dastyari in Armidale and Tamworth last week hoping to whip up support for a Labor candidate next time the voters go to the polls. 

One program Senator Dastyari wouldn’t have mentioned is the mobile phone tower roll-out because when last in government Labor did not build one tower and show no signs of changing that stance. 

The Nationals in government have already delivered 237 and over 700 are planned. Senator Dastyari wouldn’t have mentioned the relocation of government agencies to regional towns, the Building Better Regions Fund or coal-fired power generation to keep the lights on and the air-conditioning operating because Labor doesn’t support these policies.

Nor does it support the relocation of the APVMA from Canberra to Armidale and would do everything in its power to take these new jobs away from Armidale. He did claim the community has been taken for granted, and I agree this was the case when Tony Windsor was the Federal member.

Agriculture was the largest contributor to national GDP growth last financial year and despite the prevailing dry conditions in many parts, confidence is high in regional Australia. All that would change under a CFMEU-led Labor government.

John Williams,

Senator for NSW