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:
Why should we insure?
I am concerned to hear recently, and not for the first time, that the Government is going to assist people in Christchurch who have not taken out insurance coverage.
Everyone has insurance, of course. There are those of us who elect to insure and let the insurance company carry the risk, and those who elect to carry their own risk. Those of us who insure, of course, pay the fire service levy, and the levy for the earthquake and disaster risk.
Those who carry their own make no contribution to those organisations. I feel very sorry for the uninsured, but am mindful of the fact that they have had fire cover at our expense for however long they have elected to carry the risk on their account.
It strikes me as a bit rich that they now expect us to fund what is in fact a bad investment decision made by themselves.
I write with some trepidation as this whole affair is a very emotional one, and I expect to be castigated for my viewpoint. But if we give way on this one, why should anyone insure?
Charles Purcell, Mt Maunganui
Keep it discreet
I agree strongly with John Davies (News, July 12) on the need to provide local educational information on Mauao for the many thousands of people who visit our region's iconic landmark each year, though I do not agree that it should be commercially sponsored.
One only has to visit sites of historical importance from the Bay of Islands to Central Otago to see many many examples of how this can be handled with dignity, including Beach Rd here in Tauranga. The council has gone to great expense to improve access up and around Mauao, as well as seating, which I am confident was not there in the 1800s.
We have a rich local history, islands and sites of interest, a small discreet presentation highlighting these, from the various positions where seating is provided would be greatly enjoyed and be beneficial to locals and visitors alike.
Gil Beadle, Cherrywood
Paper compasses
Mauao directional compass rejected (News, July 12).
I commend John Davies for his initiative on the Mauao directional compass which was roundly rejected by Mauao Steering Group. Mr Davies' heart is in the right place. Tauranga Moana iwi have valid concerns which were sensibly expressed.
A compromise could be that a simple paper card directional compass is designed and made available free to climbers from the ranger's station at the base of Mauao. Mr Davies may well have a suitable template to begin the process. This paper compass could be sponsored by local businesses and provide details on the tracks, history of iwi settlement, Maori mythology and geology.
I assume Tauranga Moana iwi would also be keen to contribute?
Steve Walker, Matua
Bring on tunnel
As residents on Pyes Pa Rd we are pleased with the new bypass.
As we walk early most mornings we have no logging trucks, commercial vehicles or stream of traffic going through.
It certainly has eased the pressure on getting out of our gate and Barkes corner.
Councillor Murray Guy is not foreseeing the future, he obviously is not looking towards the future.
We would like to see the tunnel at Welcome Bay take place as planned many years ago.
Raewyn & Don Cooper, Pyes Pa
Second chance
Re: 705 offenders escape conviction (Your View, July 12)
I committed a "low-level" crime when I turned 18, and got diversion. I have never offended again.
To say diversion doesn't work, is not true.
If you look at the numbers of offenders who get diversion and who are never seen by the courts again you might be surprised by the numbers.
Diversion is a one-time offer, the courts given you a second chance.
That's all most people need.
Sam Fredericks, Hairini
Art is important
Regarding Roy Edwards and his comment that the Tauranga Art Gallery is a waste of ratepayers' money; (Your View, July 9).
Whenever I watch a rugby game I don't understand a lot of what I am seeing, which is my own fault. So, I don't get as excited as I should. But I am quite happy for my rates to help the upkeep of rugby fields and I get a great deal out of the art gallery. Both sport and the arts contribute to happy citizenship. The gallery is intelligently curated and there are floor talks and lecture series available.
Incidentally, the painting that is historically New Zealand's most important has been removed after three months in the gallery. There was an explanation on the wall.
(Mrs) Raye Catran, Tauriko
Block the boobs
As the octogenarian who has just been able to do large food drops in Christchurch with the help of many people of Tauranga, I am disgusted that this fellow Crow is even allowed to proceed with his Boobs on Bikes parade, and if the council has not got the guts to prevent it then I am sure that a great number of decent people will be able to make a blockade to stop this degradation coming to our city.
Come on you councillors who do not approve, make your voices heard and show some strength to stop this nonsense and not allow this kind of thing. Tauranga has enough troubles with Saturday night goings-on in the Strand without this.
We have wonderful women amongst us and this sort of thing is an outright disgrace.
Nan Raine, Tauranga
Live and let live
There has been a lot lately about a women's right to breastfeed in public, in yet for some reason it's suddenly degrading to woman to show their breasts in public (as we the bikers were informed was to raise awareness of breast cancer).
So what if Steve Crow gets some publicity for his event from it, like local government has not ever used one event to promote another.
This doesn't change the fact breast cancer is a killer and awareness is vital to early detection.
As to these people who are so worried about naked breasts, I hope they also boycott the beach in summer in absolute fear they or their children will see a naked breast. To the best of my knowledge no one is forcing people to go and watch this so-called parade, so live and let live.
If it's not your thing don't go.
Brian Twomey, Brookfield
Let public decide
Re: Council can't stop Boobs on Bikes parade (News, July 13). Get over yourselves council and spend your energy administrating council duties for a change (if you can) and let the public decide what they support.
Council members being "moral police", they must be joking. He who is without sin, yeah right. Good publicity for the event, nevertheless.
Dave Richards, Bethlehem
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