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:
Speedway deal fair, but secrecy damaging
I agree with Tauranga City Council's decision to buy out the speedway contract at Baypark Stadium, as it was essential that the council has influence and control over the entire site in order to ensure that all events are managed in an integrated way.
However, I certainly do not support the secrecy surrounding the purchase price of the contract, as ratepayers deserve to know.
Regardless as to what Mayor Stuart Crosby may say, or think, of course ratepayers are paying for this purchase, as ratepayers guarantee the debts of Tauranga City Venues Limited (TCVL), the Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) that runs the venue.
Baypark Stadium has not been as successful as it was first thought it would be and if there are continuing significant losses it is quite obvious that it will be the ratepayers who will fund these losses, either directly or indirectly.
As the ratepayers are guaranteeing the five-year loan that is being raised to effect the purchase, it is therefore quite obvious that the ratepayers should be aware as to how much this further investment in Baypark Stadium has cost them.
Mike Baker, Bethlehem
Booze peril clear
The deadly drug alcohol has claimed another King's College boy. Perhaps if he wasn't a King's College boy, we may still be none the wiser [about] what is happening to our tamariki up and down the land.
In our own backyard, 600 juiced-up kids take on police at a Tauranga racecourse "grog-free" - free for all.
When will we wake up? Why are we waiting to raise the level of legalised drinking back to where it belongs at 20?
If we as parents cannot accept that alcohol, like other illegal drugs including marijuana and methamphetamine, is a mind-altering chemical that poisons the brain - especially the developing brains of our our kids - then we cannot point the bone of blame at anyone but ourselves.
T Kapai, Te Puna
MP missing point
How nice to see in your paper MP Simon Bridges showing once again his concern for the welfare of the city's animals.
This of course is not the first time he has been in print on this subject.
Pity he is not in your paper more often, perhaps showing his concern for his electorate and the needy people therein, ie pensioners, the sick, beneficiaries, students. That would be what he was elected for.
Perhaps he should give up being an MP and retrain as a vet.
John C Grimes, Greerton
Estuary 'defiled'
Recently I visited Tauranga and the plane flew low over the Waikareao Estuary. Looking down I saw a ruler-straight line cutting diagonally across the bay through the mangroves, and making a right-handed turn to cut straight back to sea.
It was horrifying - like seeing a beautiful painting slashed with a knife. This I am told, is mangrove clearance, carried out by the regional council apparently with little regard for either the health of the harbour or the beauty of the landscape. The natural curve of the bay is gone, tamed by an ugly, artificial margin.
In Wellington many people are protesting against a Wellywood sign which they feel will despoil a hillside. I am amazed that the Tauranga community should tolerate this much greater defacement of their beautiful harbour.
Surely the citizens living around the estuary are saddened to see their estuary defiled?
Hamish Rochester, Wellington
Text Views
* Bob Parker u deserve a medal!Im sure u wudnt expect 1- that the sort persn u r but wat a mayor u r lookn aftr yr city!Wel done.Standn ovation 2 u!
* Of course ratepayer money is involved with the Council purchase of the speedway contract whether directly or indirectly who is Mayor Crosby trying to fool??
* To all the swan huggers out there, the only indigenous life in NZ is flora and fauna. These are under threat from many introduced species, possums stoats deer pigs.These are shot trapped poisaned and hunted with dogs 12 months of the year. Perhaps the introduction of swan flu might not get up your noses.
* It is so sad that so many people these days are so socially inept that they cant socialise without a "skin full". Come on drinkers- try having fun without mind altering alcohol and drugs. Be yourselves and save money, have clear heads and stay on top of your game.
* Council pull finger. Mt hot pools must b repaired by start of rugby world cup.
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