The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
THIS WEEKEND'S LETTERS
Harawira is disgraceful
Re Hone Harawira/Osama bin Laden. What a disgrace to support the existence of Osama bin Laden after he had been responsible to murder thousands of ordinary men, women and children.
To support this extreme Muslim "freedom fighter" on behalf of many local people who Hone Harawira represents could be a potential danger to us here.
Extreme religious idiots march down the streets of Egypt, Syria and Libya and I wonder, will the Maori supporting Mr Harawira soon be extreme in New Zealand?
Beware of his support, I do suggest.
FRANK JUST, Katikati
Be happy with rise
Cr Bill Grainger, be happy with the increase you have, I would suggest to you that as a person with no increase whatsoever for four years now, that any increase is better than none.
I hope that you, as I do, actually enjoy the job you do and the achievements one can make, however small, will, eventually be recognised and rewarded. I know I live forever in hope, but, if you do not believe that the reward fits the job and believe more salary makes you give better decisions for the city, or you do believe that you are destined for higher gain elsewhere, then, please, go for it.
Ratepayers in similar situations to myself, and I suspect they are many, cannot afford to fund council increases, so be happy that you are in a (local) government organisation that at least (and I sincerely hope at the last resort), can call on another party, as in the ratepayer, to fund any salary or benefit increase at all.
PETER HUXHAM, Welcome Bay
Thanks for story
Re Life-changing moments (Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, April 30).
What a great story. What if people with these abilities were perceived as the contribution they truly are?
What would it take for there to be a more informed choice around the screening test?
I have just finished a brochure giving information from parents for parents to make a more informed choice.
What does it take for the money to show up to get this printed and out to NZ parents ASAP? Thank you so much for sharing your story.
MARIE PASCOE, Nelson
Mothers' love
Mothers are the heart of the family, we pay tribute to the love and often heroic sacrifice that mothers make in nurturing new life especially those mothers who choose life for their unborn child in the face of abandonment by the father, these are truly heroic women.
The late Cardinal Mindszenty said that the most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honour of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral, a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body ... The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a mother can.
Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation ... What on God's earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother.
KEN ORR, Spokesperson, Right to Life New Zealand Inc
Danger to cross
Re Elderly man struck on crossing (News, May 4). This incident highlights the dangers faced when trying to cross the main road in Bethlehem. Sadly it was only a matter of time before someone was hit on one of the crossings.
Traffic travelling through Bethlehem is often speeding, and a lot of drivers just aren't concentrating.
My son and I were almost hit in February when tying to cross at the crossing a little further down the road from the crossing where the gentleman was hit.
I had only just finished telling my child that even though the light was green for us to cross, that he must always check to see if cars were, in fact, stopping.
Had it not been for my quick reactions, we both might have been hit. I know of several other people who have nearly been hit on this crossing.
Since the road changed to two lanes each way, traffic has sped up, whereas when it was one lane, the traffic was at either a standstill or a crawl.
When the road was being upgraded years ago, I suggested they put in an underpass for pedestrians, but was told the budget wouldn't stretch to it. I have to ask, what is the price of a human being?
(Abridged)
ANDREA HOYLE, Bethlehem
Preserve trees
The story of the loss of the Norfolk pine in Gate Pa is disturbing (News, April 4). Tauranga is long regarded as having few natural attractions (compared to the beaches of the Mount) other than its beautiful trees.
It is understood that the present council policy is to reduce the protected trees of the district from 1600 to just 253.
How is this in keeping with the stated intent to preserve the landscape of our communities; trees, whether they are individual or groups of trees are part of the heritage in our city, and effort should be made to protect these for all including future generations, to enjoy.
ROSEMARY TURNER WAUGH, Tauranga
Pest must go
I was greeted yesterday by a wondrous sound.
Not a bell-bird belling or a tui tootling, but the sound of a mangrove muncher munching. Boy, this puppy cut not only a dash but also a swathe through the harbour's green but not so "green" pollutant.
This is a victory for the environment, and a great start to restoring our Harbour to its former glory.
My advice to the Regional Council is listen to, and act on the wishes, of the vast majority of the people of Tauranga who want this gorse of the sea gone, and ignore the few ill-informed moaners who hold their AGM in a telephone box.
Well done, Regional Council, keep up the good work.
RICHARD PRINCE, Welcome Bay
Dog laws lacking
Re Pitbull's fate up to court after attacks (Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, April 30).
The dog control act in this country is a farce. How many more people have to be attacked/killed before these vicious dogs are shot immediately after attacking someone?
Ridiculous that the owner has to agree the dog is "dangerous" before anything can lawfully be done, ridiculous.
LORRAINE ADAMS, Kawerau
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