Seil Chat

Who is actually writing into the Oban times - spreading the word of "all the residents of the isle of seil" and putting across that everyone objects the ongoing project??

Having sat back and perused the recent quarrels on here I am absolutely bewildered by these? It seems to me that there are people on this island(and indeed forum) that are voicing their opinions (which is more than reasonable to do so) but when someone tries to counteract this opinion - great offence is taken. No Nick - I am not aiming this at you at all (please believe this! I do not want yellow carded!)

I just find it absolutely astounding that recent publishings in the Oban times have sparked these rows but no one has an understanding of why "locals" may be infuriated. (Do not take these terms to heart anyone) I have had absolutely no problems with "incomers" in the past and have I admit in the past been amused by comments on here stirring banter (which is what it tends to be - as offensive to one party as it is to another).

However, having read the letters and articles in the last few weeks in The Oban Times I am astonished as to what I have read! Who are these people expressing "everyone's" view's and concerns - they are certainly not mine or many of others i know!!! The names that are published (bravely) are certainly not of common knowledge to me and have had to ask people who these are and have found it difficult...my point being - I have been here several years now (exceeding 30 but without giving away my age now!) and have absolutely no idea as to whose these members of the public are expressing MY view on the matter.

Sounds like an old case of - new people not wanting change to their lifestyle that has been chosen in the idyllic surroundings here. Come off it - the longer term advantages succeed over the short term poor roads and mud and conservation trees!

So my poll is a straight forward one....

Again, no offense anyone, but I don't know the authors of the letters in the OT either, never even heard of them! (Haven't seen this weeks BTW). I don't know what state they want the island to be returned to, perhaps to the state it was when they settled here? Imagine we all wanted the island returned to the state we remembered it. Erm, there'd be far less houses and recently settled busy-bodies around that's for sure...

No offense to anyone, just stressing a point...

Have to agree with you there tink..... been on the Island as long as you and am beffudled as to who the complainers are...... obviously the namless hole jumper is the worst kept secret on the Island we all allegedly know who he is. But the others I'm non plussed.....

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I think you will find that I have always agreed that Balfour Beattie are doing a splendid job in difficult conditions, and I believe that the island will be good as new if not better after the reinstatement. I do however have some sympathy for those whose daily lives have been more severely affected than ours - it cannot be a lot of fun having jackhammers and heavy machinery going outside your house for weeks.

However, that doesn't seem to be the main thrust of the front page article in today's OT, which seems to be more concerned with whether it is a sensible solution for Seil and an appropriate use of a huge sum of public money in an area where there are so many competing claims for infrastructure expenditure.

- NickB

Seventhseil wrote:Have to agree with you there tink..... been on the Island as long as you and am beffudled as to who the complainers are...... obviously the namless hole jumper is the worst kept secret on the Island we all know who he is, we can watching as the boot is firmly on the other foot. But the others I'm non plussed.....

You haven't heard of Dr Hannah then 7th? His name is there. I don't know who Sally Robertson is, but I am pretty sure it is her real name. I guess what you are objecting to is the sub-heading 'Seil residents say . . . ' and I suppose it should say 'Some Seil residents say . . . ' - but then that would be a much duller headline, wouldnt it?

tink wrote:

Who are these people expressing "everyone's" view's and concerns

Tink, it doesn't say 'everyone', it says 'Seil Residents' - see my comment above.

As so many of you obviously feel strongly on this issue why aren't you writing to the Oban Times yourselves to point out that the majority of the people on the island appear to be in favour of the scheme? Surely that will do more good than complaining about the Oban Times' sensationalist approach to the issue on here, as I bet the editor doesn't read Seil Chat. Maybe he should though?

- N

Nick, I know of one letter in favour -sent via email and snail mail- that did not make it into the times. Shame really, it just goes to show that the OT prefers one-sided debates. The reporting standards are actually quite pathetic, always has been but it does provide us with...something.

i know of a couple who have actually - and one of which - has not been published!!! can you believe that?

i was not accusing you solely Nick - and nor did i say you did not agree with the work!

I too am increasingly maddened by the folk on this site who complain about our sewage-treatment upgrading and, much worse, by those who keep writing so negatively and publicly on our behalf to the Oban Times who basically must have such unjustifiably supersized egos that they feel they can misrepresent us and whose published but unrepresentative and largely unwanted opinions risk darkening the image of this fine isle and its silent majority. I have already disagreed here on this topic with the great (?) moderator-on-high himself and have been censored and had the topic locked but I am nevertheless strongly of the view that the current works are basically excellent, despite or maybe because of, their cost and temporary inconvenience, and I encourage everyone to take the patient long-term positive view. Basically in the 21st century we are dragging this lovely island complainingly and screamingly into the 20th (or earlier) century. We should be happy about it. All you ego-maniacal small-minded complainers, take time to test the water with your fellow Seileachans before you go public again - otherwise we just don't need you - just be quiet for a while, no matter who you are! And, moderator supreme, we wouldn't need to write to the OT if all these twits didn't misrepresent us!

And, moderator supreme, we wouldn't need to write to the OT if all these twits didn't misrepresent us!

But they patently ARE misrepresenting you Mona, so write!

Somebody pointed out to me tonight that the new reporter who wrote the story has a byline, a first in the Oban Times - it would seem she is out to make a name for herself. And of course rational debate makes for dull journalism . . .

So - write to the Oban Tmes (you can send letters in by email as well) and point out that you are being misrepresented. Why not refer them to the many threads on here on the topic, which might be seen as a more accurate gauge of local opinion. The poll certainly seems to be showing at the moment that none of us are actually annoyed by BB, who are doing a great job. (Love the Christmas Tree btw - worth a drive up to the new dual carriageway at night if you haven't seen it yet)

If enough of you write and nothing gets published we can perhaps use this forum to make a loud noise. I hold no particular brief for the Oban TImes myself, having had an advertisement for www.oban.ws refused a few years ago on the grounds that it was 'competition' . . .

- N

(And what is Moderator Supreme? Lightly roasted in a creamy sauce perhaps?? Bet it tastes like chicken . . . )

I know of one letter in favour -sent via email and snail mail- that did not make it into the times. Shame really, it just goes to show that the OT prefers one-sided debates. The reporting standards are actually quite pathetic, always has been

I agree - are you going to let them get away with it? It will take more than one letter . . .

- N

Ok I know who the Dr is......none of the people who have written letters though....

Oh, I know one of them - he's not a regular resident though, just here at weekends.

Does'nt narrow it down much........

a nonny mouse wrote:Oh, I know one of them - he's not a regular resident though, just here at weekends.

Pah

yes it is a lovely christmas tree Nick - very impressive!

Is this an "outing" campaign ???

I know all you forum members have a well developed sense of irony

...so lets play spot the difference:

Oban Times 18.12.08
Page One
Reporter: Louise Double-Barrel
Seil Sewerage Scheme
Objective - To prevent untreated sewage flowing into the shellfish waters round the island
Cost £8 million

"Money down the toilet"
"horrendous waste of public money"
"should never have been approved"

Oban Times 18.12.08
Page Seven
Reporter: David Walker
Lochgilphead/Ardrishaig Sewerage Scheme
Objective - To end raw sewage discharges into scenic Loch Gilp.
Cost £15 million

"we're very pleased"
"substantially improve the natural environment"
"meet the requirements....by screening for the first time"

So much sense being written tonight well done Mona,very brave Tinker ,im off tae bed.

Would it not be quite nice - and appropriate - if the Community Council could represent this community to the OT and point out that the views expressed in the paper in recent weeks are not representative?

Alternatively, the moderator of this site could perhaps draw the OT's attention to this thread for the same purpose.....

P.S. All those folk who say that providing every home on Seil with a septic tank would have been a better solution should read the scientific literature which shows that malfunctioning septic systems are currently the leading cause of groundwater pollution in many rural environments. New stricter water quality legislationt is not consistent with having hundreds of septic tanks discharging into the Seil environment. Time will show that those who have opted out of this mains sewage treatment scheme will incur significant personal expense and trouble in order to meet the new regulations consistently over even the medium term.

Mona Lott wrote: Time will show that those who have opted out of this mains sewage treatment scheme will incur significant personal expense and trouble in order to meet the new regulations consistently over even the medium term.

Some of us have no option Mona.