Rambling in the past

Lindy and Marion left today for Newcastle, where Lindy will have her gall bladder removed on Wednesday.  It's tough timing --- Marion's birthday is that day and Carissa's is the next day.   As the girls' school commenced holidays today (strange time??), we thought we might take them out for lunch.  Lindy suggested Macca's or Subway.  I much prefer Subway but it's way more expensive.  Maybe I won't give them a choice!

Rachel rang today when we were in the shop "doing the thing that is a surprise for her".  As I expected, Steve is much better at it than I am. The lady was very bossy but we had fun.  She gave us homework! 

The other half of the shop is her main business of making signs, banners etc so we got a quote for the sides of the van, which are still without any decals.   I have always fancied a type of rainbow.  Because it will be 3 metres long, she wants to come and see the van.  She asked how long we would be here and was surprised that we stay so long each year, so she questioned us about our views on Moree.

Then she dropped the bombshell --- she works for the Tourism industry and wants to interview us for the local paper.   I would much prefer that she didn't!   After accidentally hitting the front page about 4 years ago, I have no desire to be identified.
I was very indignant about the disabled parking spaces being occupied with cars that had no stickers.  I watched carefully, noted down what I saw and Steve hid when I spoke to people who had parked illegally!  I spoke to the Managers of Coles and Woolworths and was told that it wasn't their responsibility.   Then I went to the Roads and Traffic Authority, who were very helpful (sarcasm detected.)  They had heaps of literature on the subject but it definitely wasn't their responsibility.   They told me that it wasn't likely that the Police would ever monitor the situation because they were too busy with crime and advised me to go to the Council.   They were delighted to give me a fistful of stickers, which they told me to wrap around poles and stick on shop windows.    The best one said, "Laziness is not a disability."
Steve went pale at the thought of me plastering stickers around town!!
I will explain why, without beating around the bush and using euphemisms but first, the disclaimer, I am not a racist.  There is a large Indigenous population in Moree.  For some reason, they were the chief offenders in stealing disabled car parks.  For other reasons, they are the perpetrators of most of the crime in Moree, often violent.  Steve didn't want me to be identified and become known to any of the illegal car parkers.

So, I wrote a letter to the Council, just before their next meeting.  I discovered that it had been received the day after their meeting.  My letter was quoted in full on the front page of the Moree newspaper, along with the Editorial about the problem.  It had been discussed at length at the meeting and various suggestions were made.
Before we left here that year, a new ranger was appointed to patrol the disabled parking places and a huge fine was announced.  An amnesty of 2 months was declared.  When we returned the next year, we were stunned to find that the disabled parking was working very well.  The Council was quoted as saying that they were very happy with the outcome (and no doubt with the revenue that was raised!)   So far, there has been no backsliding;  (I can't help but check out the cars occupying the disabled spaces.)

Everyone has probably forgotten what started the rumpus but to be on the safe side, I would really rather NOT have my name or face in the newspaper!!

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