Dear Editor,I see that Ivan Dean is lobbying again on behalf of the city's hoteliers to have the Post Office clock stopped, using the excuse that it hurts tourism in the city.
Last week I read a letter in these pages from Ivan in which he claimed he was only calling for a report to be written about the clock. But the Examiner article today makes his position clear. On ABC TV last night I even heard Ivan speaking on behalf of the Quest calling for the clock bell to be buried in the Tamar silt.
My wife and I live two doors down from the clock. We love it. It's part of Launceston's rich tapestry of cultural and historic heritage. It's part of what makes this city unique and special. Even though we're the clock's - and the City Council's - nearest residential neighbours, we don't think that Ivan or his report writers will ask us what we think about the clock. They certainly haven't done so yet. So I'd like to offer a few constructive suggestions.
Number One: Launceston does have a noise problem at night, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, caused by the hoteliers who pump out a thumping raucous cacophony that passes for music, until at least 2am and at decibel levels well beyond Council's own regulations. From 2am to 4am the city is then beset by drunken, noisy yahoos staggering home from the hotels - effing and blinding at the top of their voices every inch of the way. Want a cause to fight, Ivan? Fix that!
Number Two: the clock had been striking the hour for a hundred years before the Quest opened its doors. Even the slightest investigation would have told the developer that. If the clock is too loud now, fix the problem yourself, Quest! While I read today in the Examiner that the Quest has belatedly double-glazed some windows , it clearly needs to do a proper job. The Quest shouldn't expect the city to become dull, bland and ordinary just to suit them.
Number Three: bring some facts to the table for Council to consider. Put sound recording and measuring equipment in any room of the Quest's choosing on any Friday or Saturday night between midnight and 2am and record the noise. Play the recording and present the data at a Council meeting. If the Aldermen can hear the clock above the hoteliers' raucous din, I'll run naked down Brisbane Street!
Number Four: Ivan Dean, you are the Chairman of Launceston City Council's Heritage Committee. Rather than it being just another of your well-paid sinecures, how about speaking out for the city's heritage? Even better, help the city (and its hoteliers) by using your influence to get the Council to do something - anything - to promote Launceston to mainland tourists. Better still, use what precious little influence you have within State parliament to get Tourism Tasmania to promote the state to the mainland tourist market. But even if you can't do that, spare us all and hush up about the clock.
Trevor Jones
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1842 Fine Handcrafted Furniture and Art, 121 Cimitiere Street, Launceston, Tasmania 7250
EDITORS NOTE: Simply because we are not limited by space, and the fact that we are committed to publishing without fear or favour, we publish letter such as this one unedited for the record. We think that is worthwhile.
Last week I read a letter in these pages from Ivan in which he claimed he was only calling for a report to be written about the clock. But the Examiner article today makes his position clear. On ABC TV last night I even heard Ivan speaking on behalf of the Quest calling for the clock bell to be buried in the Tamar silt.
My wife and I live two doors down from the clock. We love it. It's part of Launceston's rich tapestry of cultural and historic heritage. It's part of what makes this city unique and special. Even though we're the clock's - and the City Council's - nearest residential neighbours, we don't think that Ivan or his report writers will ask us what we think about the clock. They certainly haven't done so yet. So I'd like to offer a few constructive suggestions.
Number One: Launceston does have a noise problem at night, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, caused by the hoteliers who pump out a thumping raucous cacophony that passes for music, until at least 2am and at decibel levels well beyond Council's own regulations. From 2am to 4am the city is then beset by drunken, noisy yahoos staggering home from the hotels - effing and blinding at the top of their voices every inch of the way. Want a cause to fight, Ivan? Fix that!
Number Two: the clock had been striking the hour for a hundred years before the Quest opened its doors. Even the slightest investigation would have told the developer that. If the clock is too loud now, fix the problem yourself, Quest! While I read today in the Examiner that the Quest has belatedly double-glazed some windows , it clearly needs to do a proper job. The Quest shouldn't expect the city to become dull, bland and ordinary just to suit them.
Number Three: bring some facts to the table for Council to consider. Put sound recording and measuring equipment in any room of the Quest's choosing on any Friday or Saturday night between midnight and 2am and record the noise. Play the recording and present the data at a Council meeting. If the Aldermen can hear the clock above the hoteliers' raucous din, I'll run naked down Brisbane Street!
Number Four: Ivan Dean, you are the Chairman of Launceston City Council's Heritage Committee. Rather than it being just another of your well-paid sinecures, how about speaking out for the city's heritage? Even better, help the city (and its hoteliers) by using your influence to get the Council to do something - anything - to promote Launceston to mainland tourists. Better still, use what precious little influence you have within State parliament to get Tourism Tasmania to promote the state to the mainland tourist market. But even if you can't do that, spare us all and hush up about the clock.
Trevor Jones
--
1842 Fine Handcrafted Furniture and Art, 121 Cimitiere Street, Launceston, Tasmania 7250
EDITORS NOTE: Simply because we are not limited by space, and the fact that we are committed to publishing without fear or favour, we publish letter such as this one unedited for the record. We think that is worthwhile.
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