I have lived in Byron Shire for only twenty years now and have seen a lot of change but I still like the beaches and hinterland.
The Bay was once a very diverse town a place where you could see and buy things that you couldn’t elsewhere in the country, a place where a man walking down Jonson street in a suit would make you turn and have a look; those ‘no chains’ days are long gone.
I remember a crowd would turn up for demonstrations to voice their opinions but don’t really see that much anymore.
What has made me very upset is the way council has attacked the problem of homeless people using the bus shelter for shelter.
It was obvious when the back of it is now open to the elements and convenient arm rests have been put in so people can not lay down.
I didn’t like the sight of groups congregating in the shelter and drinking alcohol, but couldn’t street patrols of police stop that from happening.
I just find it so sad that we find it easier to fix the homeless problem by opening up the shelter and putting in arm rests, what is next do we go the whole hog like other parts of Australia and the world where they put metal plugs or spikes on the ground where the unfortunate sleep to stop them doing so.
Mark Mlikota, Bangalow
