As a dedicated band of men and women put their lives and livelihoods on the line to confront a seemingly unstoppable fire of apocalyptic proportions shameful evidence has emerged of what mean spirited governments we have.
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Most of us couldn't believe it was true at the weekend when there was an appeal for donations of snack foods and bottled water to help sustain weary firefighters who for weeks have put themselves in harm's way.
If ever there was an indictment on our elected leaders and their bureaucrats then that's surely it.
Surely even the most vision blinkered must by now realise the need for rushed legislation to financially support the volunteers, many of them self employed, who have put their lives and livelihoods on hold to confront an unbeatable foe.
After the harsh lessons of this current crisis anything less will forever stamp our state and federal leaders as a miserable, self serving bunch of freeloaders, far divorced from reality.
(For the record, we're told the American firefighters providing very welcome support are being well paid by their government).
Interpretation
All a matter of interpretation. When the Westfund Main street centre suddenly went into lockdown Thursday afternoon signage quickly went up apologising for some sort of undefined building emergency. By next morning the wording had changed to ''scheduled building maintenance''. Really? In the meantime dental and eyewear clients had been quickly informed their 'scheduled maintenance'' would require new appointments for the following week. Word on the street was there was some sort of drama with a 'gas problem' in the first floor dental centre.
Light the night
It's the time of year for kids and big kids to get out after dusk and enjoy some wonderful Christmas lights displays. There are some truly spectacular displays we spotted that should not be missed in the Busby/Ivatt?Mortlock Close area, the cul de sac end of Clarice Street, and the usual extravaganza and charity fund raiser in Finlay Avenue. Clearly there will plenty of others around the district the column is yet to catch up with so do the grand tour.
Flying blind
There's an urgent and so far ignored need for an ongoing crackdown for the dangerous and blatant illegal parking in Main Street outside Lithgow Subway. Sight distance is poor there at any time but with drivers every day ignoring the restrictions it's a case of flying blind by anyone emerging from Sandford Avenue, and often only surviving through the courtesy of other road users. The regulations are there but no one in the police or council seems interested in enforcing them. Perhaps after someone is seriously injured or another vehicle ploughs into a shop front, as occurred not that long ago, they'll be stirred into action.
