Local News

© Jeff Kubina

Not in my back yard

30/07/08 - 4 comments

I'm sick and tired of the 'not in my back yard' attitude of the people in and around Devon. I find it utterly unbelievable sometimes that people have the attitudes that they have.

I read in the paper about the victory for wind farm protesters. What sort of victory is that for the environment? It seems to me that people want greener energy just not anywhere near them. They want extra power stations but not if it affects their own view.

People are always whining about the cost of houses and want more affordable housing to be built, then in the next breath they say they don't want it built near them. More and more people are trying alternative lifestyles and the counsel turn around and say "that's fine but not around here".

How many times have you heard people moaning about teenagers wandering the streets and that they should have something to do? People try to organise events or youth centres and then moan they don't want them nearby, telling them to use a different park or a different place.

We all want better choice from supermarkets but nobody wants one built near them.

Come on isn't it time for a change? Wouldn't it be nice to look out your window at a wind turbine on the hillside supplying the whole town with electricity. To be able to walk down the street with no homeless people begging on the street cause they actually have somewhere to live that doesn't cost them 70% of their income.

Do you know where your teenager is at night? Down the local park with his mates getting moved on by the local police community support officers because the local residents are complaining about the noise. Well the park was most likely there before you were and will probably be there long after you've gone.

Deal with the problem here and now, don't push it from here and make it someone else's problem [Maybe the local courts could take note here - Ed], we all have to live on this planet so try and be tolerant to your fellow man, or child, and leave the place better than you have found it.

Next time you see or hear those teenagers in the park think to your self 'at least there there and not mugging some old lady' and when they want to build a turbine near you think 'how much better off the world your going to leave for your children/grandchildren will be'.

When they want to build a new housing estate then at least your kids might have somewhere to live when they have their own children. Your view may look good to you today but when your kids are unemployed because there are no jobs available locally all because you opposed having an industrial estate built near you, then you're going to be wishing things were different.

Just remember this next time you complain. Put your finger to your lips and think about the consequences and maybe say "I'd love it near me". For all our sakes say "YES I'D LOVE IT IN MY BACK YARD".

Story submitted by Spike