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:
Don't fret: crematorium not a bad neighbour
I write with scepticism after reading of neighbours' concerns about the effects of a new crematorium in Pyes Pa.
The reality is that the new cremators emit no residue or fumes and I suggest those with realistic concerns check out the cremators that have been running as part of the community in the main street in Greymouth and in Wellington beside a public library.
The so-called "psychological effects" are no more than already exist with the current crematorium (in fact fewer, with technology improvements) and it is worth noting that this business is well presented, well behaved and far more pleasant as a neighbour than say, a brothel or a pub.
Emotion aside, this is a sensible business plan that will provide returns to our local community.
(I have no vested interest in this application but have previously been involved in the funeral industry outside the Bay of Plenty area).
Tania Hitchcock, Tauranga
Reform needed
At the weekend a healthy teenage boy died in Auckland raising the issue of youth drinking. In the courts every week at least two thirds of all cases are because of alcohol. Our hospitals are deluged with alcohol-related injuries and illness and our prisons are full with people who probably would not be there if it weren't for alcohol.
The insidious nature of alcohol promotion is such that good parenting is being seriously undermined.
Young teenagers who are being targeted by marketeers to use alcohol are demanding concessions from their parents. Parents, perhaps bewildered as to why their 14 or 15-year-olds who never showed any interest in alcohol are suddenly demanding the right to use the stuff.
There is an alcohol reform bill going through Parliament in this election year.
It looks like the politicians are getting ready to do what they have always done, just make a lot of noise and then do nothing. Our children deserve better than that. We must demand better from our politicians.
We must let them know that urgent real reform is needed now to stop the carnage this lethal drug is wreaking on our society.
Edward Burke, Tauranga
Just propaganda
The recent news that Gaddafi's troops have been issued with Viagra to enable them to carry out the task of "raping and pillaging" with more vigour, has to be one of the most bizarre pieces of claptrap to come out of the Department of Propaganda yet.
I would hope that most intelligent people can see this worthless bit of information for what it most probably is.
Ian Lucas, Brookfield
High and mighty?
I refer to the article in yesterday's Bay of Plenty Times and wish to make a make a comment on the personal attack of Greg Brownless being "high and mighty".
It would have to be the complete opposite as anybody who knows Greg would say he is anything but high and mighty. It needs to be pointed out that without the generosity of people like Greg, many small organisations would not survive.
Greg Brownless is always willing to give generously to different projects that need money and as he has donated his business to the good of Tauranga, maybe he needs some positive feedback instead of bad publicity.
Legacy Trust is set up for the community and we should be very thankful for that.
A crematorium is never going to be in the right place for everybody.
For your information, there is a crematorium right in the heart of a hugely populated area in Auckland, St Johns, with houses in very close proximity, like right next-door.
Jenny Coventry, Papamoa
Teen parties
Re: Racecourse party goes off the rails I can't believe that with all the publicity in recent times regarding teenage drinking culture and teenage parties going viral, that people are naive enough to think that a "party" where invitees number 450 plus is a good idea.
Furthermore, a party where invitees pay $10 a head to attend - what is that all about?
Sue Hetherington,Tauranga
Well behaved
Re: Racecourse party.
To be honest, I find it really unfair that the party got shut down so early. The people inside the venue - at the time it was shut down - were all well behaved and having a great time.
It was the people outside the venue, who could not get in, who were causing a fuss.
So the police should have dealt with them separately to the people inside the venue.
I feel it got more out of control when the cops arrived.
I feel sorry for the party girls who put time money and effort into this party to have it ruined.
Ashleigh Gerber, Tauranga
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