Readers have right to ask

I need to correct Tim Haylor on his reply to my letter (Peninsula News, 16 Apr 2012).

Nowhere in my letter dated February 20 did I suggest that people who don't live in Umina should be excluded from the debate about McDonalds.

They can debate all they want.

However, signing their name to a petition when they don't reside in the area is just adding numbers and doesn't give a proper refection of local views.

What I did in fact ask was how many of the 3000 plus signatures are in fact Umina residents?

How many are Peninsula residents?

I would also like to know how many have signed these petitions more than once, as people who feel strongly about issues will often sign every petition they see.

If you wish to tell readers about all the petitions and signatures against McDonalds then readers have a right to ask what percentage live in the affected area and who are the ones just signing because they dislike McDonalds but reside out of the area.

Email, 17 Apr 2012

Colleen Boyd, Umina