We do not have to spend millions to develop the waterfront. We don't need fountains, concrete features or a moored barge. It can't be too expensive to right now replace the tarseal with grass and gardens, add to the wooden seating and create a cycle and walkway. That will at least make it attractive and not prevent future development when it can be afforded.
JOHN DOUGLAS, Tauranga
Let's back Bourke
Memo to Graham Henry: If there is a better back-up loosey for Richie McCaw in the country than Colin Bourke, then we were all watching the wrong game on Tuesday at Bay Park against Canterbury. Bourke's positional play is exceptional as is his leadership, ball skills and the ability to let go a left jab when his team mates are thrown unceremoniously across the touch line.
Memo to Priority One. Please make the retention of Colin Bourke as the Steamers standout captain an absolute priority next year. We cannot afford to have him exported off to a foreign footy field. Sacre bleu, the thought of losing this hugely talented and gifted asset is almost as bad as losing the cup this year. Surely a Bring Back Bourke campaign can be kick started sooner than later.
Go the Bay.
T KAPAI, Te Puna
Punish taggers
Re: "Off with their fingers" (Your View, August 24) I am in full support of Robert Clark's simple solution of removing a finger or as many as it takes for these misfits to learn the lesson.
If there is one thing that most humans shy away from, it is pain so this will truly make them think twice. They will also have to live with the loss of a finger for the rest of their lives.
Some may think this is a bit harsh but graffiti happens all over the country and not only in this country. I must disagree with Rob about having a lost generation though but more a small minority of young people with complete disregard for other hard working Kiwis' properties. Let's not kid ourselves, they know right from wrong. Why do you think they commit this crime late at night?
TE PARA, Gate Pa
Rates pain grows
Stuart Crosby, thank you for your comments re: The debt accrued for the TCC ratepayer to service (Your View, August 24).
Once again other councils you referred to can give their individual reasons for the need to hike the rates levy above the level of expectation by the ratepayers, and once again, I have to say that you allow for an annual increase of at least the rate of inflation.
As a fulltime employee who has not seen any change whatsoever to my annual salary for several years, it will soon not be possible to find the amount required by the councils (including the unnecessary Environment BOP) to pay these ever increasing costs. It seems to be assumed that the average Tauranga resident has the financial means to pay a substantial annual increase in rates ... maybe true in the past, but not now, not in the "real world" at least.
PETER HUXHAM, Welcome Bay
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