No, No, No!

Enough is enough.

The destruction of the main street of Parkes began many years ago, with the council decision to order the removal of balconies etc from the shops.

(A shame, it still rains and the summer sun is still very hot).

Next came with the burning down of Howards (Mates) store, resulting in the Commonwealth Bank being demolished next door as well.

Result?  Let’s build a car park, the new shop (Franklins) can be up the back.

This ugly decision caused the lower Clarinda Street area to really suffer (there’s still little activity there).

Of course, one of the lastest disasters, in my opinion, is the building of cricket nets in Woodward Park along Victoria Street and the mis-placement of the play area.  Not to mention also the destruction of beautiful old trees.

This has destroyed what was a pleasant outlook in one of the original streets of this historical town.

The people of Victoria Street have always accepted the showground and tennis courts, but this latest addition is ugly.  Shame Parkes Council doesn’t have anywhere else to put this monstrosity!

As well, how wonderful it was to see the first sod turned for the new hospital.

But to have it built on an extremely busy highway which is getting busier - and in an expanding industrial area?

(It could have been built in a quiet area. On the northern side of the railway line.  Wonderful idea!)

Perhaps the cost would not have been so prohibitive if it hadn’t been so imperative to help Lehman Brothers, America, out of their problems.

PS - with the building of a by-pass road, even less people would stop in our town because all they will see is car parks - nothing else of interest.

So we really don’t need any more parking - just more people who care about this town they call home and take pride in it.

BM Cunningham, Parkes.