Letters to the editor: TECT proposal support, Omanu traffic, Maori wards

A reader believes that traffic lights on Oceanbeach Rd (pictured here being installed in 2010) cause traffic delays in Omanu. Photo/file

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Athenree Homestead Trust, we wish to confirm our support for the TECT proposal.

As a charitable trust, we are greatly indebted to TECT for their generosity in granting a sizeable donation towards our current building project, enabling us to finish the rebuild of our homestead. Over the years TECT has built its investment and given generously to the wonderful organisations around us that are administered by willing volunteers from the community. This situation will continue but will also grow so that even more organisations will benefit from TECT's wise investment.

The many clubs, societies, historic places that make New Zealand community life so special will benefit greatly both now and in the future. Volunteer teams are an integral part of communities but without the support of organisations like TECT, they would struggle to achieve their goals. We join with Mary Dillon, QSM, as she writes "What a legacy to leave our children".
Martin Rapley,
Chairman - Athenree Homestead Trust

Traffic woes

I thought it was about time someone mentioned the traffic woes on Oceanbeach Rd.

I find it strange that all the traffic issues I read in the Bay of Plenty Times every week are of everywhere else but not the Omanu area. I believe the problem is the traffic lights at the Omanu shops.

With the huge influx of population into the Mount and all the new subdivisions in Papamoa, there is traffic congestion on Oceanbeach Rd that just drives me nuts. If you are not going to work in the Mount at 7.30 - 8am Monday to Friday then don't bother driving along Oceanbeach Rd as you will get stuck in a huge traffic jam which backs up all the way from the Arataki shops, past Concord Ave right through to the Omanu traffic lights. There are 100-plus vehicles driving into the Mount from Papamoa and having to stop at those lights, where there might be one vehicle driving from the Mount to Papamoa at that time.

It's just ridiculous. I reckon council needs to get rid of the traffic lights and put in a roundabout. That would help the traffic to flow much quicker thereby minimising the huge traffic jams. It's time the council got with the present. (Abridged)
Mark Wiltshire
Papamoa

Maori wards

Amidst all his extravagant claims (Letters, March 1), Mr Lally might at least read Mr Dey's letter sufficiently to be able to spell his name.
But we should be grateful the councillor is now communicating publicly, even though he still won't say how he consults to represent his Maori constituencies.
Does he think Maori are the same as Pakeha?
And while he seeks to limit the term Kiwis to simply those who agree with him, in my view, he might care to consider the disunity he promotes by his stance.
The councillor, in my opinion, not only completely misinterprets Mr Dey's letter but he also recreates New Zealand history.
He may think that all is completely okay for Maori since their life expectancy has increased by 50 years.
Many others would see it as prolonging their personal discrimination and alienation by a further 50 years.
And it would be helpful if he told us why Maori wards have been so bad for the regional council when all acknowledge the difference in representation and consultation that wards have created and the successful joint economic initiatives that have ensued. (Abridged)
Geoff Wane
Bellevue