The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS
Well done to police on arrest
The police proved a point on Saturday night that even if you are a known figure or celebrity in the community, and you incite a crowd to turn against the police with verbal diarrhoea, disdain, and hatred towards them you will be arrested and face a court appearance.
This character I refer to is Tiki Taane and his pathetic attempt at Illuminati night club, in acting out the character alias (Jake the Muss) from Once Were Warriors.
This type of behaviour is not the making of a role model within New Zealand and he should be taken off the air waves as not to corrupt the minds of the young and innocent. A big bouquet to the police for showing who's boss when it comes to law and order in our community.
Andrew Pointon, Tauranga
Keenly waiting
In the story about Tauranga City Council's new chief executive (News, April 12) we were told Mr Paterson's pay package was "less than what his predecessor Stephen Town earned". Mr Town was paid a huge salary - there are many who would say he didn't earn it. There is a big difference between being paid and earning.
Mayor Crosby said Mr Paterson had found innovative solutions in all the private and public organisations he had worked in but didn't describe a single one of these "solutions".
Perhaps Mr Paterson will enlighten us when he takes up duty.
Perry Harlen, Mount Maunganui
Crossing issues
With regard to the Bethlehem pedestrian crossing, while I do not condone abuse of the people who are manning this crossing, I believe it is just sheer frustration that is causing this problem.
The crossing is in a silly position, too close to an inferior designed roundabout - very cluttered with trees, high fences, iron railings and concrete abutments, allowing very poor vision. There are also cars always parked close to the crossing.
I have had a few near misses myself at the same crossing and I am positive that it's lack of vision coming out of the roundabout.
This could easily be rectified with the use of an underpass or overpass being built closer toward the swimming pool in a more open area of the road. Congestion is not going to improve with the new Maori school being constructed.
The placement of more speed humps is going to create more congestion and larger vehicles already have difficultly with the very small roundabout.
Do not blame the drivers as there is always a bad apple in the bunch. The majority of people are good drivers.
Taking the loading off the road and into the school yard is a much more cost effective and practical answer.
(Abridged)
Steve McCarthy, Tauranga
Ignorant abuse
Thanks for your article regarding the safety issues around the Bethlehem crossing (News, April 7).
You obviously hit a sore spot with one reader, as I had a message left on my answerphone regarding it. His comments were those of a self-absorbed individual who thought that having a safe passage for children to use, just slowed his day down ... and that upset him, the other issue that upset him was the race of the children waiting behind me to cross.
He felt they should use the crossing along Carmichael Rd ... this takes ignorance to a whole new level. To me, any man, woman, or child, regardless of race, belief etc has the right to be able to cross a road safely.
The children are our future, we must look after them.
Andrea Hoyle, Bethlehem
Cool it on towers
Re: Cellphone tower uproar (News, April 12)
Complaining about towers is a little ironic ...
I note a study conducted by the American Cancer Society that states while high levels of RF waves can cause a warming of body tissues, the energy levels on the ground near a cellphone tower are far below the levels needed to cause this effect. Thus far, there is no evidence in published scientific reports that cellphone towers cause any other health problems.
New Zealanders complain constantly about not having cellphone coverage, or calls dropping on a handover (or black spot) - and that the quality of networks are pathetic compared to those overseas.
There are 4.4 million cellphones in the country. You cannot have it both ways.
As an after thought - there is more radiation generated out of a microwave oven - but I do not see a nationwide uproar - over heating up your TV dinner.
Mike Johnston, Auckland
Text views
* The ratepayers agree with comissioner greg hill no alerations etc to the hot pools what cant the tauranga city aquatics and council members listen for a change thats what you are there for
* Y dont tha just buldoz da hot pools - look at All da parkn spaces available
* To patricia morton if we as u suggest just hav the haka b4 rugby games shud we just play the national anthem when the queen visits nz
* Cancer exercise. What a gr8 idea, thank you colleen and lucy for taking time to support men cancer. A nite class would help me. Any chance? Allan.
* It doesnt surprise me the stats, with myself off work wit 3rd child and rising living costs ths is what we hve 2 cut, i hve taken an active roll wit pta fundraising as i feel so guilty that i cnt contribute
* So [friday] nite bp stadium was 1st time smoke free. So they put a deisel generator right go front of I block for us all to breath. Idiots.
* Tiki Taane thinks hes the man but as any old school rapper knows the'Man' is the police. Who you going to call when the real bad boys come for you Tiki?
* About time crs got serious on down town parking. There were the pre-election promises so gud 2c progress at last. Longer time limit a must 4 survival of shops. Make it happen fast.
* Why do people kp havin kids when they cant supnrt the ones they hav.U make me angry.Stp bludgin off the govt 4 child suport.
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