A lot of times magistrates and judges seem too soft on these offenders, so maybe mandatory licence suspensions need to be introduced by the government, as well as heavy fines to show us that they are serious.

Also, more highway patrol cars and motorbikes out and about, where they can be seen, would help to keep drivers on their toes. It would also most likely make drivers using mobile phones think twice.

- Ian King, Warners Bay

I REFER to Carl Stevenson’s letter (“Keep chopper concern real”, Lakes Mail, February 8) regarding helicopters. Like any aerofoil, a helicopter rotor blade requires airflow over it to produce lift. Flying into the wind, therefore creates more lift, whereas a tailwind reduces lift and, hence, stability which is undesirable.

Secondly, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry found helicopters can generate sound levels in excess of 100 decibels. Their research found jackhammers and motorcycles produced 100db, but that thunderclaps and live rock music recorded 120db.

Sound levels from 100db to 110db cause hearing damage, with 120db being the limit of human pain threshold.

Regarding Mr Stevenson’s experience of the helicopter noise level inside John Hunter Hospital, I would suggest that being within the solid building envelope of a hospital would be a bit different to the experience of, say, a group of friends gathered at an outdoor barbecue.

Also, the design of the helipad area at the hospital would not be comparable to a marina environment with the heavy downwash liable to affect people attending to their boats.

- George Aungle, Morisset Park

QUOTING the mayor: “Having good recreational infrastructure is important” (“Mayor’s message”, Lakes Mail, January 11).

I would like the mayor to explain why the “recreational infrastructure” is always slated for the usual areas – postcodes 2281, 2280, 2282, 2290, and 2284 - but never for the Morisset peninsula? Don't we deserve to be healthy?

The money council is receiving from developers must be huge, yet we have no decent roads, kerb and guttering, dog exercise areas or community gardens, and the swimming pool and library are ancient. The list goes on.

There are at least four very dangerous road intersections in our area which have not been addressed by council.

I would estimate the population on the Morisset peninsula has doubled in the last five years, yet the roads remain dangerous and unable to cope with the increase in traffic.

I would like the council to publish how much money was paid to the council (from rates, fees and developer funds) from postcode 2264 and how much was spent back on postcode 2264, and how that compares with the receipts and expenditure relating to the postcodes of 2281, 2280, 2282, 2290, and 2284.

- Anneke Vanderkolk, Windermere Park 

NOW we have agreed to support same-sex marriages, those of us outside the inner circle need some advice on how to go about it. Seriously.

How, for instance, do we address their mail?  How do they like to be introduced to newcomers? Two surnames? He referring to his partner as his husband does not help, nor she referring to her partner as her wife. 

The computations are mind-boggling and confusing. It's a brave new world we live in now, and ‘meet the missus’ doesn't hack it any more. 

We need help here.                 

- Ron Elphick, Buff Point