Poles Apart - The Rise of the Litter Lout

Something seriously needs to be done about these litter bugs. There has been some publicity in the press lately explaining how the Council are going to use a non stick paint on its poles, to make it difficult for these tear-tab posters to be glued up.

Non stick paint is not the answer - strict policing is.

If all of the population did as we do and rip down and bin this litter then it would act as a deterrent. Regrettably the local citizenry seem loath to assist the authorities and this apathy (non engagement) seems to be ingrained.

The biggest disincentive though would be to apply a more rigorous campaign of prosecution; after all Singapore has strong laws against littering and it is just a question of policing and following through with the fines.

It is not for the lack of evidence, which is clearly visible on the pole such as the one pictured which was one of many by this litter lout at my bus stop by Forfar Heights in Commonwealth Avenue.

Here are some campaign ideas to curb this plague:

1. Take photos on your mobile phone of the poster and send it to the Environment Ministry. The email address is contact_nea@nea.gov.sg and their customer service line is 1800 225 5632
2. Ring the number on the poster and tell the person that they are litter bugs and should be ashamed of themselves for breaking Singapore laws.
3. Whenever you come across one of these pole posters pull it down and put in in the nearest waste paper bin - do this after you have done numbers 1&2
   

These pole advertisers are a public nuisance and their activity scars the environment.

It is time to get serious and get rid of these pests.

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Please Stand Behind The Yellow Line

Queenstown MRT Station
Roger Smith 3 /2010

The Panda's Daughter

For several months I have enjoyed the Sunday Times articles of Lee Wei Ling. She coincidentally happens to be the daughter of LKY - Lee Kuan Yew to the unitiated.

She is clearly a person who knows her own mind and has inherited a large chunk of the intelligence and directness for which her father is well known. LKY is reported as saying to her "You have all my traits-but to such an exaggerated degree that they become such a disadvantage to you.”

No doubt this sets up some interesting debates around the family dinner table. It is clear that she is not afraid to state her own point of view even though this might put her at odds to the government's stated position or action, which is under the stewardship of her brother, Hsien Loong.

Preferring to remain single, Profesor Lee has chosen to dedicate herself to medicine. Her maritial status has been a point of paternal concern for her father apparently and he referred to this in a speech last year. She, in typical fashion, chose to respond with an essay "Why I chose to remain single"

Her frankness has earned the respect of her fellow Singaporeans and in a recent public survey she was ranked fifth out of the ten most trusted people in Singapore.

Based on what I have read so far (including today's article "The Panda's Daughter" where she talks aboout how people link her with her father), I would have to say that their trust is well placed.