LETTER TO THE EDITOR: RMBC created rat problem they ignore

This is merely pettifogging drivel when we all know there is a serious problem in the area. I find the comments both offensive and insulting in equal amounts and senior executives and the leader of the council should apologise to Susan Herring and long term residents of Eastwood for these statements.

The rat problem in Eastwood is well known and articles and letters have been appearing in this paper over a number of years. Perhaps the Advertiser would like to inform us of just how many photos of rats dead and alive they have received and how many articles they have printed in support of residents over the past five years?

I know Susan, the lady in the article, and she is a good and honest person not prone to wild accusations and misrepresentations. She, along with many others is long suffering in living in Eastwood as she does with no realistic attempts being made by the authority to eradicate the problem.

They simply wish to charge residents for pest control measures without accepting that the rats are not resident rats, they did not bring them nor put them there. We all know, as Susan points out, that litter and over-flowing bins are the reason they are present.

It has been pointed out to RMBC that bins have lids for a reason, that is, to keep the smell within in summer and the vermin out at all times. Just ask the suppliers or they would be much easier and cheaper to manufacture if they were not necessary.

What is necessary is that RMBC should do something about the problem; they created it but simply refuse to acknowledge it exists, and it is not just confined to Eastwood. Eastwood has three councillors and what good are they? They also do nothing and ignore the problem. It is long overdue that residents show them and this council the door at the next election.

With summer coming along and warmer days, we will hear about the rats dancing on the pavements. No doubt RMBC will suggest they are part of touring group and are putting on a free show for residents.

This is as ridiculous a statement as the one from them now that there is no problem. They may not have found any evidence in the house they visited on that day but they do accept that they are in sheds and in property nearby as stated. Therefore there is a problem, which is why the statement from them is as facile as it is outrageous.

It is completely unacceptable that senior people have supported this and allowed this comment. I suppose they can do little else because even if they catch the perpetrators who throw the litter in the alleys and whose bins are overflowing they simply let them off. The opposition are no better as they have nothing to say on serious local issues.

Name and Address Supplied