Sneaky tactics were on course

Feb 27 2009

I WRITE to register my dismay and concern at the council’s decision to send four council officers on a trip to Dubai when the financial status of Ayrshire is so fragile that we are unable to maintain public facilities such as Girvan Baths, Pets Corner, Women’s Aid and many others.

I am also alarmed at the apparently underhand tactics used to pass the decision by withdrawing it from council discussion at the last minute and instead approving it in private discussions behind closed doors. Were they embarrassed about the trip or did they anticipate that a council vote would turn it down?

I was a baggage porter at Prestwick Airport from 1974 to 1990 and can confirm that BAA spent thousands of pounds annually on trips to Canada, America and elsewhere promoting Ayrshire golf venues. An international golf tour operator brought hundreds of golfers into Prestwick weekly, during the season, from all over the world to enjoy our local courses, thus I am certain that any golfers visiting the Dubai Desert Classic will already be well aware of the facilities Ayrshire can offer them. Events such as the, soon to be televised around the world, British Open Golf at Turnberry and similar event at Royal Troon, Old Prestwick and others serve well to make our courses household names, so why do they consider it necessary to spend much needed council funds on sending four officers on a break at our expense?

R. Napier

Mossblown.