Trust right
Establishing TECT as a charitable trust so that it can put 100 per cent of its wealth to work for the community is the right thing to do. Local and central government won't build us the local amenities we need or address the region's deep social and environmental issues. A strong, community-focused charitable trust can take the lead on these issues and draw in the commercial sector's much greater assets to make a real difference for our children and grandchildren.
Bill Murphy
Tauranga
Times changing
Those saying that TECT should stay as is are living in a time warp. Times are changing, the city is growing, and TECT's current charitable allocation is insufficient to meet Tauranga's escalating needs. To understand the magnitude of the funding problem you only need to get into the trenches of volunteerism in Tauranga.
I currently serve on four boards, having previously served on another three. All have good people spending disproportionate hours scratching around for funds. The Papamoa Surf Club rebuild is a prime example – I have been on that board for six years, and we have left no funding stone unturned, yet we still can't push go. We could opt for user-pays as one former TECT trustee suggested, but the reality is that crowd-sourcing for capital projects is nigh impossible and that aside his suggestion is insulting. Users often can't afford to pay, or they are already serving their community through their volunteer hours. Imagine the outcry if a hospice patient was turned down because they couldn't afford the service.
The TECT proposal could triple TECT's contribution to Tauranga's growth forever. If people want Tauranga to go from good to great, then a yes vote is a must. (Abridged)
Michelle Whitmore
Tauranga