Front page Telegraph story about school zone variable speed cameras in Cleveland st Moore Park making $7 million in one year.

Questioned about this amount Mr Daly replied, "What's a child's life worth?"

If children's lives are so worthwhile why not spend that $7 million on
Olsen style flashing lights?

How many $1.000 flashing lights units can you get for $7 million?
........................................................................

Graffiti article in the same paper

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/graffiti-vandal-sentenced-to-course-in-art-depreciation/story-e6freuy9-1225756075946

One low life sentenced to 500 hours community service.

What happens when he doesn't front up?

What happens if if he does show enthusiasm for cleaning graffiti?

Look at the state of this compartment, how long till the new Waratah carriages look like this?

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/money/new-trains-for-nsw-on-a-slow-boat-from-china/story-e6frezc0-1225755700963
........................................................................
Original Message -----
From: LOP
To: stephens1510
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:26 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: Graffiti and how to get votes

Thanks Hans for your email.

I have written a letter that I will post to you regarding this matter.

I share your concerns regarding graffiti - and that we need to combat it.

Thanks

UPDATE 12 .10 pm

I ve just rung Ian Hampton about the demo, but because of lack of numbers he's called it off

Did Tim Soden from 2GB's newsroom ring you I asked, I gave him your number

"NO"

said Ian

I know the newsrooms busy, but here we have a farmer with a genuine grievence starving up a pole for 35 days.

No time for a 30 second phone call?

If Ian's phone was unanswered, Mr Soden could've called me to get Ian to contact 2GB.

Were're not talking about the normal news item here, like a burst water main in some back street, but a starving bloke up a pole for 35 days and "the tough but humane" Prime minister couldn't care less..

Thank you Tim Soden

Good luck Peter Spencer

Barry
______

Barry O'Farrell MP
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
Member for Ku-ring-gai
T: 02 9230 2270
F: 02 9221 8208

www.barryofarrell.com.au

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The letter that the NSW Opposition leader has written for me in reply to ones I sent on June 29 and July 21 (further down this page) hasn't arrived as yet.

........................................................................

I'm worried about this line in the article about the Waratah train,

"The project will provide jobs for western Sydney at a state-of-the-art, $220 million maintenance facility in Auburn, which will employ more than 100 people."

"state of the art", the Collins class submarines were "state of the art" as were the "millennium trains." and the school zone flashing lights that break down are also "state of the art"

State of the art means over-engineered and expensive.

Victoria Gov collected $430 million in fines in one year from speed cameras

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Mobile camera plan to cut NSW road toll Alexandra Smith
July 25, 2009

THE Roads Minister, Michael Daley, favours the introduction of covert mobile speed cameras to discourage dangerous driving as the state's worsening road toll stands at 235 deaths this year.

It is understood Mr Daley supports mobile cameras, which are used in Victoria and Queensland, even though his predecessor, Eric Roozendaal, refused to install them in school zones while he was the roads minister.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/mobile-camera-plan-to-cut-nsw-road-toll-20090724-dw63.html

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I don't care if they have more speed cameras, but not if they replace police.

We need more unmarked highway patrol not less.

The Police opposition Police spokesman Mike Gallacher has the right idea.
He says in the article:

"the most effective way to reduce the road toll was to increase highway police patrols, not hidden speed cameras."
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My post on 10 JUNE titled

"SPEED CAMERAS"

In The Daily Telegraph 10/06/09

What "new technologies" could be used to rein in speeding drivers?

What about the "point to point cameras" (to be used only for trucks), for all drivers?

More speed cameras that only catch the unwary average driver.

What about tripling the Highway Patrol and all new cars to be unmarked, ......there's a novel idea.

No, speed cameras work 24 hours , don't need superannuation, sick leave or annual leave.

A small story now, but one that can have a big impact later.

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"

Schools in the Ryde area are to get Peter Olsen's "check speed" flashing lights.

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ALL SCHOOLS IN RYDE ELECTORATE TO GET FLASHING LIGHTS THANKS TO ROTARY.

School zone lights campaigner Peter Olsen has today announced that all schools in the Ryde electorate are to get school zone flashing lights, thanks to the support of Rotary.

"In May this year Ryde Council gave approval for the installation of privately funded flashing lights in the Ryde area, at the request of local MP Victor Dominello. The first set was installed at Denistone East Public School on 15 May.

"Following the success of those lights the Rotary Club of North Ryde, in conjunction with other local Rotary clubs, has offered to raise the funds required to allow the lights to be rolled out to all schools in the Ryde electorate.

"The rollout has already commenced, with flashing lights going live today on Coxs Rd at North Ryde Public School, a short distance from where a boy was critically injured by a car wheel in May while waiting for a bus.

"Work is well advanced on installations at a number of other schools, with all schools expected to have flashing lights by the end of the current school term.

"This is an important community initiative aimed at greatly increasing the safety of children at local schools.

"A flashing lights fund has been set up with Bendigo Bank, which is also helping to fund the lights. Any individual or business that is interested in supporting the project should contact Bendigo Bank at North Ryde.

For more information contact:
Peter Olsen
0414-538-404

More details onother schools on

www.schoolzonelights.com.au

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-plan-to-tackle-the-shires-graffiti-scourge/1758773.aspx

31/10/09

Will he pay the compensation??

http://www.theage.com.au/national/suspended-sentence-for-global-graffiti-artist-20091029-hnpb.html

I suggest Mr Williams does a bit of graffiti in Singapore.

29/10/09 Another teen graffiti vandal caught and given a caution.

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/graffiti-teen-arrested/1660635.aspx

Did his parents pay for the graffiti removal?

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Graffiti charge

A CRONULLA man will appear in Sutherland Shire Court next month to answer charges relating to a graffiti incident at Loftus.

Sutherland police say they saw the man, 22, using white paint and a roller to paint a wall at Loftus Oval on August 7.

Police seized the paints and roller and the man with damaging property maliciously.

He was granted conditional bail and will appear in court on September 3.

22 Sept.09

What happened in court?

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Teens arrested after graffiti found
BY DAVID MCCOWEN
5/10/2009 10:41:00 AM
Sutherland police arrested two teenagers from Sutherland and Woronora on Friday for graffiti offences.
Police allege the male pair, aged 15 and 14, are responsible for graffiti sprayed on Railway Street, Jannali at 10.20pm on Thursday.

Police gave the teenagers official cautions for malicious damage, and possessing spray paint can with the intent to damage or deface property.

Did the teenagers or maybe their parents clean off the damage or pay to do it?

Police commander vows to tackle graffiti head on
BY MURRAY TREMBATH
13/08/2009 1:17:00 PM

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/police-commander-vows-to-tackle-graffiti-head-on/1595213.aspx

Higher priority: Acting Superintendent Jenny Hayes and Barry Collier inspect graffiti at Miranda. Picture: Chris Lane

The only way graffiti can be slowed is for there to be consequences if you do it.

Bath rd Jannali
.........................................................................

I have emailed (June 29) our State Opposition leader,

Let's see what his thoughts are on the graffiti curse.

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----- Original Message -----
From: stephens1510
To: barry.ofarrell@nsw.liberal.org.au
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 6:17 PM
Subject: Graffiti and how to get votes

Dear Mr O'farrell,
Graffiti is an ever increasing problem and needs a strong response to deter the morons that do it.
The Singapore way is to cane the offenders and that seems to work.
This punishment, even though it would certainly alleviate our graffiti vandalism, would never happen here.
To show that graffiti vandalism has consequences, maybe a "graffiti camp" may help.
Set up a camp out West with a high fence topped with razor wire, basic accommodation, basic facilities, basic food and where people can be sent to for graffiti offences and have to clean prepared spray painted brick walls every day of their sentence.
The staff there have authority to add extra days onto the sentence of anyone who refuses to co operate with the cleaning task.

Counselling, conferencing and community service won't work on these anti-social vandals, who have no regard for authority.

What happens now when people don't turn up for community service?

When people know that to get caught doing graffiti means a month, cleaning graffiti off a brick wall, with no TV, video games, and mates, day after day, this may get some result.
Compared to the cost of cleaning damage now, setting up and running a graffiti camp I think would be worth a go.

To show strong leadership on cracking down this problem will be appreciated by almost everyone out here.

Yours faithfully
Hans Stephens

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Will it be a..... "thank you for your email, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: July 2 No reply from Mr OFarrell's office as yet
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE July 21

As I haven't heard back from the opposition leader Barry O'Farrell's office in answer to my earlier email, I sent another last night, this time adding my website url

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From: stephens 1510
To: barry.ofarrell@nsw.liberal.org.au
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 11:25 PM
Subject: Fw: Graffiti and how to get votes

Dear Mr O Farrell,
I have resent this email as I have had no acknowledgement as yet, of my original.
As you can see on my website www.schoolzonesanta.com in the category "2007 NSW ELECTION" I have an interest in politics and see the need for a change.
The category "Railcorp waste" and "RailCorp bullies loyal tenant" shows that I can be persistent.
Graffiti is blight on the landscape and needs someone with a will to introduce strong measures to combat this crime.
Also maybe a bit of corporate responsibility mightn't go astray.
Super Cheap Auto were selling 5 cans of spray paint for $10.
Perhaps a levy on spray cans to help pay for graffiti removal,(or to fund a "graffiti camp") ?

Thanks for your time
Yours faithfully
Hans Stephens

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

This morning 9 hours later came back:

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Original Message -----
From: LOP
To: stephens1510
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:26 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: Graffiti and how to get votes

Thanks Hans for your email.

I have written a letter that I will post to you regarding this matter.

I share your concerns regarding graffiti - and that we need to combat it.

Thanks

Barry
______

Barry O'Farrell MP

NSW Liberal Leader
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
Member for Ku-ring-gai
T: 02 9230 2270
F: 02 9221 8208

www.barryofarrell.com.au

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Update 17/08/09

As I hadn't recieved a letter I emailed Mr O'Farrell again;

14/08/2009 9:48:09 pm >>>

Dear Mr O'Farrell,
thank you for your reply to my email (below-)
The letter you had written to me has not arrived as yet, and appears to have gone astray, could you perhaps email it to me to save time.

Graffiti is once again the cover story in our local paper
http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/police-commander-vows-to-tackle-graffiti-head-on/1595213.aspx

and anyone that takes a hard stand against it will get the votes.

yours faithfully
Hans Stephens

And today came this reply:

----- Original Message -----
From: LOP
To: stephens1510
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 8:03 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: Graffiti and how to get votes

Thanks Hans - let me follow it up for you.

Thanks

Barry
______

Barry O'Farrell MP

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UPDATE 27/08/09 A LETTER FROM MR O'fARRELL HAS ARRIVED, I'll post it when I see some policy annoucement on youth crime

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Waratah st Kirrawee
.......................................................................

I thought today (before I accessed my emails) I should contact the Liberal's answer to the local Labor incumbent MP Barry Collier, but I don't know who he is.

Back in '07 it was a Mr Annesley and although his name does comes up regarding rugby league, it's Mr Collier that I see in the local paper out and about doing his best for the community.

Who is taking on Mr Collier, who holds this seat by a handful of votes?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Going back to my email to the transport minister David Campbell
(July 5 09 )about those cameras at Cronulla (see "RailCorp waste" category)

The response was, in part

"Your correspondence has been noted and will be given all necessary attention."

Would that mean into a shredder, or will they get rid of the evidence of waste, and move the cameras to where they will do more good.

The excuse for more speed cameras is "It's for road safety" even when the areas targeted are more often for revenue raising

Traffic control at roadworks, (any work,)is going the same way.

The cost of the Sutherland to Cronulla rail line duplication has gone from $106 million to $231 million (and counting) and is years behind schedule.

There are numerous access points all along the line.

As well as an abundance of warning signs, and witches hats there are also stop/go paddle men.

When I drive onto the road when I go to work, I have to make sure the coast is clear... all by myself.

How much is this so called "traffic control" rort costing?

No it wasn't lunchtime.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
and it's not lunchtime outside Sylvania High in Bellingara rd at Miranda.
either.

I did some work at Frank Vickery Village on Wednesday, up the road parked near lots of witches hats and roadwork sign was a traffic control truck and on board two green clad blokes resting till the signs etc needed to be retrieved at the end of the day.

I drove past today, Fri 11.30 and this van( pictured below) was parked with it's compliment of two safety green clad workers resting on board.

O, H and S has it's place for worker safety of course, but is this a case of overdoing it a bit and is it safety or an expensive overservicing?

Siesta at Sylvania.

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Last November I posted this.....

I have a couple more questions,

Why on Oak road by the Kirrawee Raiway Station on Tuesday morning, were there 3 green safety vested traffic controllers on a 25 meter section of well signposted "one way" section of road?

This piece of roadway has been one way for months, not alternating, but one way..

This is O,H and S gone mad, and at what cost?

Why has the cost of the Rail Duplication project gone up from
$106 million to $341 million and is 2 years behind schedule?

What's the big deal with three men looking after traffic?

No big deal in isolation, but extrapolate this excess all over the network and then add up the cost.
_______________

Traffic Control a growth industry?

This truck I spotted in Peakhurst and they could be importing stop/go men from Queensland going by the license plates.

Coles and Woolworths have fooled people into believing that you can get something for nothing.

All you have to do is buy $30 of their high priced groceries, take the receipt to a Shell or Caltex garage and you get 4 cents off per litre of petrol.

Fantastic, if you have an empty tank and you put in 60 litres that's a whopping $2.40 saving.

At the Caltex garage on the Princes Highway at Carrs Park the high number of these highly intellectual drivers are queuing up for their (up to) $2.40 and stuffing up the kerbside clearway lane while they wait for room on the forecourt.

Frustrated drivers are desperately trying to get around these morons, a very dangerous maneuver in peak hour traffic.

The vehicle with the trailer couldn't drive in and just sat there and waited for someone to move on in the garage.

There will be a serious accident there when someone risks a lane change at the wrong time to get around these fools.

That car couldn't get in either maybe a $189 fine might make a difference.
................................................................................

Driving home after I took the photos I had to get out of the blocked clearway lane on the Princes Highway at Gymea.

Why?...... a car was waiting for space at another 4 cent discount garage.

After all this waiting and finally filling up, let's hope they don't reward themselves for their highly profitable transaction by buying a Picnic bar at the counter and thereby blowing the discount.

Where are the Police when you need 'em.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: 21 July.
The sign was there this morning but gone at 3.00pm as I drove home this afternoon.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Today there was a road safety meeting with GOV RTA and other groups to discuss the road toll that is way up from this time last year.

The current roads minister on radio said that speed is still a major factor in accidents.

I have suggested in letters and throughout this site for more Highway Patrol, IN UNMARKED CARS.

Will they now go for the "point to point" speed camera option, and utilize all the road sensors appearing in a roadway near you

Last Sunday an article appeared in the Sunday Telegraph no doubt following the saga of Ute-gate.
It was all about fake emails and a step by step guide how they are done giving website links.
As you can see by my category "Is there corporate responsibility in advertising" I think that media have to act responsibly.

Credit to the Sunday Telegraph that they can handle a critical letter.

Is there waste in Railcorp projects?

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/rail-duplication-128m-over-budget/1754750.aspx

I told RailCorp that 12 security cameras in a 30 space car park was
"A headline waiting to happen" see "RailCorp waste" category.

I've had a 4 column headline letter about this car park in the Daily Telegraph beforein December last year also with a four column heading and in today's tele was....

It was the policy of a tobacco company in America to totally ignore the first letter of people complaining of getting sick from smoking their products.

80% of people didn't write again.

I won't stop untill most of those cameras are removed.

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I emailed the transport Minister
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Original Message -----
From: stephens1510
To: keira@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 7:43 AM
Subject: RailCorp

Dear Minister,
earlier this year you wrote to me and said you would get the RailCorp's CEO to contact me.after I questioned the need for there to be 12 security cameras in the 30 space staff only car park adjacent to the Cronulla Railway Station.
He did email me and said that the security was because of the, "continuing problem with graffiti vandalism and theft."
But that didn't explain the need for (on average) 2 cameras per car most working days, when there are 16 cameras for the 400 car spaces in the 4 story commuter car park on rail property at Sutherland station.

That "chaser" sketch about cancer kids that caused outrage in the community, came on TV after passing many ABC staff who should have said no to it being aired.

How many RailCorp staff couldn't see this obvious waste of tax payers money at Cronulla to have that number of cameras, as well as the security fence and that earlier 24 hour security guard.

I said at the time, it was a "Headline waiting to happen" (two banner headlines in the Telegraph letter's page so far, and Hansard

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20081127042 )

In the scheme of things this matter is small change for RailCorp, but when such obvious waste is overlooked and excused, I wonder how much more is going on in RailCorp, apart from those matters already under investigation now at ICAC.

Your job is tough enough without having to cover for incompetents signing off on blatant waste for all to see.

Thank you for your time.

Yours faithfully
Hans Stephens

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This has come back
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: Minister Campbell's Office
To: stephens1510
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2009 12:16 PM
Subject: RE: RailCorp

Thank you for your e-mail to the Hon David Campbell MP, Minister for Transport and Minister for the Illawarra.

Your correspondence has been noted and will be given all necessary attention.

Regards

Office of the Minister for Transport
Minister for the Illawarra
Ph: 9228 3777
Fx: 9228 3722 .

------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued.......

Yesterday (July 1st) as I went past the flashing school zone lights on The Kingsway Miranda opposite University rd, they weren't flashing and it was school zone time.

It was very close to 4.00pm so I thought maybe my timepiece was out.

This afternoon at 2.45pm they weren't working.

Hhow long they have been faulty is anyone's guess.

This same set was out for a week once before.

Meanwhile Peter Olsen's "el cheapo" lights in Lurgano and Peakhurst have been 100% reliable for three years, (apart from RTA installed power supply faults)

The RTA and Roads minister make a big deal out of the necessity of having "back to base" fault monitoring on the flashing light units.

Maybe because of the reliability of the preferred expensive units maybe they do need this feature.

UPDATE JULY 3

At 3.45pm this afternoon the afore mentioned flashing lights were back in operation.

Repaired .. or is it intermittent fault?