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:
Backroom deal fears over law on foreshore
Re: Clarkson rips into Bridges over seabed bill (Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, March 19).
Bob Clarkson is right. Unfortunately voters cannot now trust either the National Government or Maori.
This bill leaves wide open exploitation by either side in backroom deals.
Many people have not yet heard of all the extra demands Maori have on their want list, some of these include Crown land and aspects relating to exploration and the mining of the seabed and foreshore.
There are other unreasonable demands as well.
The Act Party is right in advising us of more to come, we have not been given the full picture yet. Margaret HillsBethlehem
Thanks for storiesI am writing to say how much I am enjoying the stories about the people involved with Tauranga Riding for the Disabled.
It's great to see the publicity the Bay of Plenty Times is giving to the wonderful people that are involved with that organisation.
I regularly hear all about the amazing people there and what they achieve as my wife, Kat Macmillan, is CEO there.
It's great that now, with these features, other people in this community can hear about the great work of Tauranga Riding for the Disabled, the courage of the riders and the dedication of the volunteers.
Mat Macmillan, Tauranga
Issue of justice
So Simon Bridges (News, March 18) wants us to give our help about bail for serious murder, serious sex offences, pushing or making drugs and vicious assaults. Judges now overrule the police so nothing will change.
The National Government can't keep the promise they made before the election that "life for life" is for murderers so why should they listen to us now?
Simon, make a date with me and I will tell you what most people think as it is obvious you don't have a clue.
D Warner, Papamoa Beach
Tsunami sirens
Some years ago my husband, as the then emergency manager for Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty, initiated a project to provide coastal areas with a tsunami siren system.
As the first step in the proposed system, all fire station sirens from Waihi Beach to Pukehina Beach were linked to enable simultaneous activation.
It was intended that testing of this initial network would identify gaps in coverage which would enable further siren sites to be determined, and additional units installed as necessary.
Unfortunately, because the initial test was not heard by 100 per cent of the population, the system was deemed a failure.
Driven by a few self-serving councillors, a political decision was then taken to can the entire project.
Incidentally, to all those who expect Civil Defence to provide, and slate Civil Defence for not providing ... get real! Civil Defence emergency management is a statutory council function.
The Civil Defence emergency management office can do only what the politicians fund it to do. Ergo ... no funding equals no warning system.
But, as Murray Guy notes, there's $800,000 to keep an art gallery running.
Meri Low, Ohauiti
Impatient people
With all the problems and destruction going on in Christchurch, to read in the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend (March 19) about some impatient people in the post shop and their comments to Jody it makes me feel ashamed and disgusted that this could happen at all.
With all the help with food and clothing the schools and everyone who donated to Christchurch, these ignorant people who act like that give the whole Bay of Plenty a bad name.
It is a shame that the names of these people are not mentioned as then we would know who is ignorant.
G McNaughton, Tauranga
Speedway risks
Re: Spectators pelted with speedway debris (Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, March 19).
My husband has been involved with dirt track racing for more than 25 years and my two sons both race cars there.
So we have attended a lot of meetings all around the country.
Yes clay does come off the track and I have even been hit by some.
The piece of clay shown in the story's photo looks more to me as something a 3-year-old hasgathered up and rolled into a ball.
Clay that normally comes off the track is definitely a flatter more irregular shape.
I'm not saying it didn't happen. My point is I go to speedway knowing the risks.
It is well known that speedway is a dangerous sport not only for the drivers but spectators as well.
It is even stated in the Baypark programme you attend at your own risk.
If you don't like this then you had better stay home.
You probably shouldn't go to cricket and rugby games either as a ball might come flying into the crowd and hit you.
I really hope that the poor lady who had both her arms broken is on the mend.
She is the one who really deserves sympathy.
Unfortunately accidents do happen.
(Abridged)
Janine Decke, Tauranga
Friend's ordeal
Re: Spectators pelted with speedway debris (Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, March 19).
Yep, been here done this before at Baypark.
A few years ago a friend of ours was hit in the head with a flying piece of clay.
Knocked her out instantly, could have been worse though, her daughter was sitting on her knee just moments before the incident. Nasty.
Kerry Parker, Hamilton
Peters' column
Your correspondent, Geoffrey Fowler (Your View, March 21) writes a rational letter complaining of the unfairness of allowing Winston Peters' column.
But in local body and national politics unpaid opposition as a rule is perceptively critical whereas those in power with the huge PR resources at their disposal just write spin and hype.
Unfortunately for Mr Fowler, Winston writes well, is very readable and his column sells newspapers.
He is heard (or rather, read) even by his many, many opponents.
And remember, Geoffrey, despite his opponents he only has to get 5 per cent of the party vote - John Key and National's ever-present nightmare.
Geoffrey Fowler's letter, I felt, was like kicking a man when he's down.
Hylton Rhodes, Tauranga
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