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:
Park is for motorsports
Re: Shantytown idea for All Terrain Park.
TECT Park is for noisy sports not orienteering, horse riding, theme parks or the like. By allowing them in it undermines the whole purpose, it's the thin end of the wedge
Te Matai Motorsport plan for its area will cater for many types of motorsports.
Drag racing, jet boating, rally, to name a few, and my favourite a sealed circuit which is a longer term project for the group.
And to have all that threatened by a largely non-noisy theme park - the park's been divided into areas now - it's all a bit late to try shoehorning in ad-hoc groups of dubious TECT park criteria.Nathan LordTe PukeFind another siteRe: Railway plan angers motorsport group.
Dopey idea. The whole idea of the terrain park was for other purposes - not a museum and railway. If a large number of people really want it - then find another site.John HendersonTaurangaOriginal purposeRe: Shantytown idea for All Terrain Park.
I do not agree with the area set aside for motorsport being reduced in size as a "noisy" sports venue is the original purpose for the park's use.
This is contrary to the park's core reason for being.
Chris Flegg, Katikati
Transport issue
Now that we have a first-class arena on our doorstep, has anyone given a thought of how those of us without cars get there? The nearest bus stop is at Bayfair which by any stretch of the imagination is quite a stroll, if not hazardous.
So come on EBOP councillors use the grey matter, get out of your cars, see what its like for us common folk, and put the infrastructure in place to utilise our excellent bus service to its potential.
D Richards, Bethlehem
Closer for tourists
Re: Shantytown idea for All Terrain Park (News, August 6)
We lost the original Baypark due to poor planning by the council of the time.
This area was put aside in the TECT Park for the people of Tauranga, for sporting clubs. Many clubs have put many hours of hard work into the development already. Why don't the group build their shantytown at Mamaku. It's closer to the tourists that they are trying to attract.
The place needs something. In fact I was up at Mamaku Village 12 months ago and they are well on their way already.
Craig McCall, Tauranga
Call for knives law
Following the fatal stabbing of a teenager, I wonder if the powers that be would adopt the system of stop and search used in Britain some time ago. The police had the right to search anyone and take knives off them. First time they got a warning, second time they were charged.
It was highly successful, particularly in Scotland. Knives virtually vanished. Predictably, a certain group complained that they were picked on by the police. Probably with good reason. So Parliament stupidly rescinded the order with the inevitable result of the return of knives.
Perhaps politicians here might consider this law, so long as it doesn't take years to bring it in.
Whilst on this subject, what cowards are people who assault others.
Never one man attacking another, always a group on to one man. I think the unarmed police are particularly brave, especially when tackling a man with a gun.
R B Wyld, Tauranga
Help for daughter
On Sunday, July 31 my daughter, 5-year-old son and myself started a walk around the base track of Mount Maunganui, when my daughter collapsed.
I would like to thank the concerned people who came to my aid, their help and support was amazing.
Special thank you to a tourist and wife, a DX postman and wife, a doctor from Rotorua, St John Ambulance.
I would not have managed without you.
Maue McCauley, Papamoa
Interim solution
I refer to your editorial (August 2), in which you claim that my reference to the "complication of a general election occurring" in regard to the issue of synthetic cannabinoids was bizarre.
Under the Cabinet Manual, the Government is required to respond to reports like that of the Law Commission within a certain number of days. However, it cannot introduce major policy initiatives to Parliament within a certain number of days from a general election.
This is the complication to which I was referring, which effectively meant that it would not have been possible to have implemented the Law Commission's recommendations prior to this year's election. That is why I sought the interim solution adopted by Parliament this week.
Hon Peter Dunne, Associate Minister of Health
Incorrect info
With reference to the letter of August 11 from R Paterson, Tauranga City Council respectfully advises readers that statements regarding the lack of a tender process for the Mount Hot Pools are factually incorrect. If readers wish to know the facts about this, and any other council matter, they are welcome to visit our website - www.tauranga.govt.nz - and they will find the correct information there on the front page under 'News'.
Elizabeth Hughes Communication Manager Tauranga City Council
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