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:
Not fair on ticket holders
There will be a lot of angry ticket holders. So many people put money into travelling here, clothes, accommodation, and much more. All of it has gone to waste now. This is unfair on us ticket holders. This could have been a good night for Tauranga.
(Abridged)
Nicole Melville, Papamoa
Angry teenagers
I think that it is unfair that without warning the council cancelled the party. The organisers have thrown many paint parties already without trouble.
Why should it be ruined now? Especially on the day, because the council had weeks and months to make up their mind.
Many teenagers around Tauranga are very angry.
If the only problem is the fact that there is alcohol for 18+ then why don't they just take it away?
At least everyone can still enjoy the event that they have been looking forward to for months.
People have travelled to Tauranga especially, got time off work, and bought things especially for the paint party.
I really hope that the Tauranga council sees the many reasons why the paint party should not have been cancelled.
Jasmin Duurentijdt, Papamoa
Organised underage parties
All around New Zealand there have been problems with out-of-control house parties and underage drinking. A solution has come up, organised underage parties.
This gives young people a place to socialise, in a controlled environment, instead of them getting wasted and causing trouble at house parties.
Tauranga council and police need to be more proactive in dealing with event managers and to stop cancelling events at the last minute.
Rotorua has managed to run two very successful underage parties without any problems.
I think this is because the Rotorua council and police have been much more proactive and involved in dealing with event organisers. Tauranga council and police, get more involved, give your young people a safe place to socialise. Cancelling parties at the last minute is asking for trouble.
John-Lim Ware, Rotorua
Strange and fun night
I am so disappointed with the council's decision the cancel this party. I am 16 and had absolutely no plan of drinking, it was just a strange and fun night out with the girls. I am now $60 out of pocket, and very unhappy.
I am aware that the party is planned to be re-scheduled, but this will be in the holidays and therefore many people will not be able to attend. I do not mean to sound like a spoiled teenager at all, in fact I am a member of the Whakatane district youth council, which has organised many safe youth events.
Therefore I took extra care in ensuring that this was a safe event that my friends and I could attend in celebration of our birthdays. Now we have been let done by the council (the voices of the people) and the police.
Anna McAllister, Ohope
Such short notice
I would just like to express my disappointment in this matter. I am aware that half of Tauranga's teens probably have also done so.
I'm finding it hard to believe that Tauranga City Council have made the decision in such short notice. There are a lot of people coming from all over the place for the event and the amount of notice is definitely not acceptable, motels and petrol are not free and are not refundable. For people like myself who have had to scrape the bank for the money to pay for this could be an outrage, we will probably never see that money again.
I could bring up several other matters on the subject that the council are complete and utter party poopers and seem to have forgotten that we are not robots and we require a little fun.
They are the only council to have canned the event, this makes me upset with the lack support from these guys.
Thanks a heap Tauranga City Council.
Allie Allan, Papamoa
You have the cheek
How could you cancel this at the last minute? I spent well over $200 for this event. Now I know I can get my ticket refunded but what about everything else?
What about everyone else?
I know people who have travelled from Australia for this and you have the cheek to cancel it at the last minute.
If alcohol's the problem, then take it away. It's as easy as that.
(Abridged)
Luke Wilson, Opotiki
Well organised and trouble free
These events, had the Tauranga council asked the Hawke's Bay, Wellington and Auckland councils, are very well organised and trouble free. In such a small country it looks ridiculous to see one area taking an exception.
Are kids not allowed to have fun anymore?
These ill thought-out decisions from local authorities only encourage bored youth to find alternative entertainment that could be dangerous.
Doug Brown, Tauranga
Text views
* So Cr Catherine Stewart voted against the 10.4% rate rise but NOW its only fair that she tells us what she would have changed in order to reduce the increase??
* Re right turn rule. Its about time we went back to the old "right hand rule". Far less confusing. When turning right, give way. When both turning right the one on the right has right of way. Stephen W
* Drivers here are so controlled by the excessive amount of traffic lights in this area that they have forgotten the turning rules. Jude
* So a massive 10.40% rate rise & if what Cr Guy has said is correct that it was achieved by only deferring debt repayments we are just delaying the inevitable!!
* Good news re the fresh look at the Welcome Bay Baptist Church decision BUT will ward councillor Cr Bill Grainger support it or OPPOSE IT as he did last time?
When writing to us, please note the following:
Letters should not exceed 200 words
- If possible, please email or use the 'Have your Say' option on the website
- No noms-de-plume
- Please include your address and phone number (for our records only)
- Letters may be abridged, edited or refused at the editor's discretion
- The editor's decision to publish is final. Rejected letters are usually not acknowledged
- Local letters are given preference
Email:
