KEVIN McKenna's article condemning the "sacking" of Provost Bolander appeared under the headline "What on earth were Glasgow toy-town councillors thinking?" The Herald, November 2). The same question surely should be asked of Ms Bolander when busy purchasing 23 pairs of shoes and the like at the council's expense. Did she never stop to think "My goodness, that's me now at 12 pairs of shoes, maybe that's more than enough"? And if not,why not? Did she activate a conscience bypass once into double figures?
Of course she was entitled to use her allowance but that has to mean appropriate use.
While castigating those responsible for her demise, Mr McKenna suggests they should instead concentrate on dealing with the city's social ills: can that accusation not be levelled also at Ms Bolander while on her shopping extravaganzas? Presumably her acquisitions would require a significant number of visits to the shops? What message did she think her excesses would send to those on the breadline?
Whether her actions merited dismissal is open to discussion. But given recent examples of politicians indulging themselves at public expense it will not really do for Mr McKenna to describe this as "a trifle" or to appear to regret her "being forced to apologise last month" – should that not have happened without pressure? The article gives the impression it was written by her campaign manager.
Jack Davidson, Edinburgh EH10.
HAVING read enough about Eva Bolander's allowances and subsequent resignation, I had already formed the opinion that some petty-minded numbskulls masquerading as councillors were playing some very nasty games.
Kevin McKenna's column confirms much more than I had thought. Surely Glasgow does not need people like these anywhere near the City Chambers. Can they be named and their wards identified so that they can be voted out at the next council election, if they don't do the decent thing and resign en masse beforehand?
Ian Gray, Croftamie.
MUCH has been written, flippant and otherwise, about the Eva Bolander saga. As Lord Provost Ms Bolander was automatically the Lord Lieutenant for Glasgow. A Lord Lieutenant is provided with a military-style uniform which is appropriate dresswear for most civic functions. Obviously certain other items are necessary to complement the office holder's wardrobe.
In my own personal seven-year experience as Provost of East Renfrewshire I never had the luxury of a clothing expense allowance, although I recall incurring personal outlay on additional dresswear over an enjoyable tenure of office. Criticism is always present. I recall one local wag berating me for incurring a rail travel outlay with the suggestion that I should have used my bus pass.
Sadly Ms Bolander succumbed to pressure from " the enemy within " over a simple error of judgment. Her resignation terminated an otherwise flawless term of office.
Allan C Steele, Giffnock.
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