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:
Centre to be worth millions to region
I am pleased to see that Tauranga will at last have a conference and exhibition centre with the capacity to accommodate major events and large numbers of delegates in a purpose-built venue.
Having owned and operated a leading professional conference and event management business in Australia, we often wished that we could bring events to my original home town, Tauranga, however the lack of suitable facilities prevented us from doing so.
The financial benefits from such a venue will spread right throughout the local economy. The thousands of visitors and delegates, together with the countless service providers involved with such events should inject many millions of dollars into the region.
Graeme Burt, Melbourne
Mangrove magic
I was so surprised at Helen Knight's claims for the joys of mangroves (Your View, June 14) that thinking that I may have misjudged them, I consulted with Fred, who is not just old, but a veritable antique. He is what is know as an early colonial know-all.
Fred told me how when the tide goes out, fish are trapped within the mangroves and lie there flapping, just waiting to jump into your fry-pan, and how mangrove seeds, when they're soaked in brine for about six months, taste exactly like Indonesian olives.
We then tripped into the green marvels, and there were wonders to behold. Ducks feeding on oranges, so being ready-sauced for the table, two lesser spotted halcyon birds building a nest in an oasis of calm, and porcine aviators practising take-offs.
On entering a hidden clearing, the most amazing sight of all, a sawmill, cutting timber from sustainability logged mangroves, and a factory turning out eco-friendly furniture, specifically unisex manrobes and short tallboys.
So excited was I by these wondrous sights I could hardly wait to get home to tell my friends at the bottom of my garden.
Richard Prince, Welcome Bay
No credit for MP
It must be election time.
Our local MP, Simon Bridges, is quoted in the Bay of Plenty Times (News, June 16) as using his political weight to help ramp up the redevelopment of our local police station.
Sorry, Simon, you cannot take the credit. This was a police initiative well before the year of his election and the plans are well under way.
Simon should focus on areas initiated by him to advance Tauranga - rather than jump on the bandwagon of others.
Rahim Buksh, Cherrywood
Cyclists at fault
I heartily agree with Doug Wilson (Letters, Bay of Plenty Time Weekend, June 18) regarding the longstanding and consistently ignored problem of careless cyclists who put their own lives in jeopardy, and are a constant threat to the peace of mind of motorists.
For months, we have seen a welter of publicity given to cyclists, and the active measures taken to ensure their safety as a result. Very creditable and newsworthy. It is past time that cyclists appreciate responsibility goes both ways, and laws are equally applicable to them.
When will the same concern be shown for motorists? We have to deal with the real hazard of cyclists who continue to ignore basic safety rules, and who do not take adequate, if any, precautions to ensure their ready visibility in the dark, or in poor lighting conditions. This is a crime. And the real victims may well be the hapless motorists whose sole fault could be an inability to see in the dark.
I agree with Mr Wilson that this should be a matter for legally qualified local MP Simon Bridges. I suggest that he perhaps forgo a smiling photo opportunity, and spend the time working on some plan to deal effectively with this matter, which is causing headaches for constituents.
(Abridged)
D Holm, Tauranga
Keep pants on
If Mr Pointon wants to be naked - then he must go to the correct places that accept naturists. He can't just ride his bike or jog where he likes.
If someone flashes you, then they are done for indecent exposure, this is the same.
Come on, put a stop to this now. There are places you can go and not disturb anyone - do it.
Michelle Thompson, Papamoa
Text views
* we hv dogs well like 2c u cm b my burglar alarm thn! My dogs a gd detterent ana cheap alarm while theres theives il keep my dog
* He should be arrested or charged for public streaking!
* Wouldn't it be lovely if people who expressed their opinions in the newspaper actually knew what they were talking about and knew how to use the english language.
* Re home kills: its a way of life on lifestyle blocks & in country if u dnt lyk it move bak 2 t city !! most country kids knw & undastand wea dina comes frm so dnt use kids as an xcuse been raised that way all my life even my 4yr old undastands the food chain. Harden up & complain about sumthing worth time of day
* By actually joining the Mt Hot Pools anti upgrade protest group Cr Catherine Stewart excludes herself on all future council discussions on this issue which therefore means that she will not be doing the role that she has been elected to do & thats to represent ALL RATEPAYERS & not protest groups. Resign?
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