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:
Where is tsunami escape route?
We have our earthquake survival kit ready. As we live along the Papamoa tsunami zone we also have a backpack with more survival items ready to grab at a moment's notice. All very organised. But how do we get away? By car. I think not as there is only one way out.
The Papamoa hills are only 1500m away and look tantalisingly close. We can run that distance no sweat. That's until we checked out our escape route only to find a huge drain a major obstruction.
Come on council, help us out here. Give us a way out. Doesn't anyone bother to think about the safety of people until it's too late?
As for sirens, well we won't be holding our breath for them to be installed any time soon, but I can tell you the moment we feel any reasonable shake the backpacks will be on and that drain will have to be traversed one way or another.
Glenys Hudson, Papamoa
Appeal thanks
New Zealand Red Cross wants to thank the generous businesses, individuals and organisations that have gone to extraordinary lengths to support people and communities affected by the Christchurch earthquake. The local community in the Western Bay provided overwhelming support for the Appeal, as well as the 2011 Earthquake Appeal which will also receive 100 per cent of the money collected for the New Zealand Red Cross Annual Appeal this year.
Red Cross responded immediately in Christchurch working with the Civil Defence, police, and local agencies, providing emergency response teams to help run welfare centres and assist in urban search and rescue.
Donations to Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal have funded water units and tap stations and first aid stations to help meet the needs of vulnerable people.
Cash grants are also well under way to those affected by the quake to ease their hardship. At the time of writing, almost $15 million has been disbursed in grants to individuals and families.
Thank you again for your willingness to play a part in assisting Red Cross in Christchurch's recovery.
Heather Dabrowski, Events Co-ordinator New Zealand Red Cross Western Bay Service Centre
Short-term fix
Re Bayfair roundabout (News, March 22). I have nothing to say on the merits of the several possible solutions.
I am confident that the traffic engineers will note the various concerns, and then factor them into their considerations. What does concern me is that financial restraints could lead to a short-term ready-fix solution which, once implemented, will quickly be seen as inadequate.
When the Golf Rd/Girven Rd roundabout was proposed many voiced the concern that it would merely move the problem down to Bayfair. As it has.
So - let's think about what all competent engineers should bear in mind - If I do that to fix the obvious problem, what will I then be facing as a downstream consequence? There is not much evidence that that was an important part of the earlier flyover decision.
David Lee, Papamoa
Warning system
So tsunami warnings are back in favour some seven years after the major one in Asia.
I recall that the BOP district had a system in place in the early 60s following a series of tidal events in Waihi Beach and elsewhere in the BOP. That was simple. All towns had fire sirens mainly to call up the volunteers. We were told that seven soundings of the siren were a tsunami warning and for further information turn on the radio.
In my view that is still the best system followed, by an array of modern communication methods which will inform residents of the important factor - when?
We need to be realistic that for all sorts of reasons (including having their music too loud) many people will miss hearing a siren. We should not expect council to provide a system that covers every eventuality. Japan seems to have had an extensive warning system, together with actual tsunami barriers at the mouths of rivers and harbours. Yet a large number of people, for whatever reason, did not escape. Obviously the earthquake was a major signal in itself but, then again, there have been no tsunamis in Christchurch.
Life is a risk.
Bill Capamagian, Tauranga
Priorities
It is hard to believe that our elected councillors have taken more than six years and spent an enormous amount of money but still have left the citizens without any form of disaster warning system. Should a disaster occur in the near future they, and only they, will be held responsible for loss of life or injury.
I do not know what type of sirens were used in UK during World War II but I do know they covered the country. When enemy aircraft were approaching all sirens sounded and I certainly never heard of any complaints that they could not be heard. Please Mr Crosby, bear this in mind, cancel the unwanted planned extensions to the Mount Hot Pools and organise a warning system.
M Robertson, Tauranga
Gallery budget
Re Gallery's break-even budget in danger (News, March 22).
The annual indecisive discussion/argument over Tauranga Art Gallery funding has commenced. Gerald Gibbard (Gallery Trustee) is now trying threats to force TCC to increase ratepayer subsidy to the gallery for 2013 otherwise it would "probably go into deficit".
TCC were told that the trust had brought the gallery's finances "under control" into a "break even position"?
I don't think so.
The gallery is still in debt to ratepayers for their $847,000 per annum subsidy for the past three years at least.
Reducing fulltime staff from 12 to 10 will cut payroll and insurance costs. Great.
Why does the gallery need 10 staff?
Why don't the Friends of the Gallery offer their services as regular volunteers on a shift basis instead of salaried staff? That would save heaps. It works well in other organisations.
Question: Has the Rita Angus exhibition so far lived up to or exceeded expectations re visitor numbers?
If so the $5 entry charge proves that Joe Public will pay a nominal fee to view art.
Therefore (I'll try this one again) put a $5 entry charge on general entry to the gallery with a reduced charge for children and OAPs.
It's more positive that relying on entry by donation.
Question: How many visitors does the $25,000 in donations represent?
I await with anticipation the usual abuse from the arty fraternity.
Roger Bailey, Papamoa Beach
Text Views
* Kronic is jus as bad as dope seen to many teenager stuf there lives up frm doin milatary tatoo to apply 4 dole nt to mention mix with drink they 4get hw many.
* There are biger cncerns 4 parents in ths world than sm synthetic high. kids hvn babies. and drnking shld b mr of a concern. evn cannabis hsnt kild anybdy.
* People need to expand their awareness of all drugs we consume in daily life instead of maintaining obsolete debunked propaganda and redundant intent.
* I think it is disgusting that it should be readily available in dairies. more research should be done to see whether it is truly harmless.
* Herbal highs harm vs. Our harmful alcohol culture! Let adults decide for themselves!* With the marijuana market dominated by gangs due to its prohibition, legal herbal highs are a good alternative
* Just back from usa. Lets convert us dollar into nz dollar. and petrol like our 91 is 3.70 per gallon. So who is making money in nz.
* Bullying in schools is nt acceptable. Do we blame the parents or justic system. Unda 17 get a family conferenc wat a waste of tme they are.
* So according to the Mayor it will be 3 years before the parking will be removed in Masonic Park. This is typical Mayor Crosby strategy sow the seed then force it thru. Maybe after 25 years its time for the mayor 2 realise that he has been responsible 4 many of the issues that the city is now facing.
* Why should we fund artists? Any1 can do it. It takes about 100 8hr portrait drawings 2 become a marksmen at it. u want 2 look at art? Do it yourself
* Mt Hot Pools has had falling patronage since price went up heaps a few years back. Reduce entry fee, the people will return and profits will go up. We need people using pools often not once in a while due 2 being expensive outing. Used 2 b a regular family activity.
When writing to us, please note the following:
- Letters should not exceed 200 words
- If possible, please email or use the 'Have your Say' option on the website
- No noms-de-plume
- Please include your address and phone number (for our records only)
- Letters may be abridged, edited or refused at the editor's discretion
- The editor's decision to publish is final. Rejected letters are usually not acknowledged
Email:
Text: 021 439 968
