55: A note to our MP Hri Kumar

54: Hi, learned Grassroots Adviser. What's your next line of action?

Doesn't it sound like the old refrain: "It shouldn't have happened, but it did"? So now there's nothing we residents of Thomson Garden Estate can do? Just listen to the tone of the response from MND and we know why nothing positive is being done for us.

53: Hey, Thomson Garden NC, what's your take on Post 52 below?

52: A Response at Last, but no result

We have just received a response from an authoritative source:

WALKWAY ALONG PERIMETER OF THOMSON GARDEN ESTATE AND SHUNFU ESTATE

We refer to your letter of 6 May 2013 regarding the closure of a footpath and stairway which lies within the boundary of Shunfu Ville, a former HUDC estate. You have requested for the footpath to be kept open to the residents of Thomson Garden estate.

2. The subject footpath lies within the boundary of Shunfu Ville, which is now a private estate. As owners of the land, the residents of Shunfu Ville have the legal right to decide on the use of the land, including whether to keep the footpath and stairway open. We are mindful that the residents of Thomson Garden have been using the footpath and stairway as a convenient access to the market and MRT station. Because of this, HDB and the Adviser Mrs Josephine Teo have encouraged the residents of Shunfu Ville and Thomson Garden to work out an amicable solution regarding the footpath and stairway. We understand that the Shunfu Ville residents are concerned with issues of liability in the event of accidents arising from the use of the footpath and stairway. You may wish to raise your suggestions through your Neighbourhood Committee to the Management Council of Shunfu Ville for its consideration.

3. We also wish to take this opportunity to clarify some of the issues raised in your letter. You have mentioned that the footpath serves as an emergency exit and fire escape route for the Thomson Garden residents. The Fire Safety and Shelter Department (FSSD) has assured us that there are other emergency exit points within the Thomson Garden estate even though the footpath and stairway is closed. We have also taken note of your feedback on the narrow roads and vehicles parked along the roads within Thomson Garden estate. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be looking into this matter. Regarding the setback requirement for No. 72 Jalan Isnin, HDB’s checks verified that the 1m setback refers to the building setback from the site boundary and does not apply to fencing.

4. HDB is mindful of the impact of privatisation on neighbouring estates. Where possible, HDB and the relevant agencies will try to provide alternative routes to existing public amenities to minimise inconvenience to the public. In the case of the footpath, there are existing alternative routes for Thomson Garden residents to access the nearby amenities. Even so, HDB and the relevant agencies had studied the various options raised by the Advisers and residents of Thomson Garden. However, the agencies were unable to find feasible alternatives.

Regards,

Sherry Ng

Assistant Director (Housing)

For Permanent Secretary, National Development

51: C'mon Hri - Get the locked gates open!

50: What our Grassroots Adviser said on Sat 29 Jun 13

49: "Poo poo," said the dog owner

Dog owners in our estate are requested to keep their dogs on leash when walking their dogs. It is against the Dog Licensing Regulations to let a dog run freely on the road without a leash.

In addition they should carry a polythene bag or newspaper with them to pick up their dog poo. Failure to do so may result in a resident reporting them to the Anti-littering arm of NEA.

The photo below was taken on 26 Jun 2013 when the dog owner walked his dog 20 houses away from his to encourage his dog to defecate in front of a resident's house, using the common coaxing words of "poo-poo, poo-poo".

This is bad behaviour on the part of the dog owner. It is a premeditated offence as he has been alerted to this offence before. It is a matter of time before this kind of anti-social behaviour is reported to the authorities for appropriate action.