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
Millars Rd gift for our residents, not council
Along with about 150 people I attended the public meeting last Wednesday to discuss the council's ongoing involvement with the land in Millars Rd.
Firstly, I was appalled that the chair made an arbitrary decision that the meeting should end at 8.30pm. An hour and a half for public concerns, questions and information dissemination was not long enough and it showed a distinct lack of respect for the people who attended.
Another concern is the timing of this procedure. We were encouraged to make submissions to council. The closing date is April 25. Not a great deal of time for concerned citizens to talk to each other, share concerns and formulate a forward plan.
If council finances preclude development now that is not a reason to sell land gifted to our community. Council does not own it. A very good point was made at the meeting that once sold it can never be retrieved and future citizens will be forever denied the benefits of a delightful green space in the centre of Brookfield.
I want to encourage everyone to let council know that we value and appreciate what Mr Sydenham intended for Tauranga and we, not the council, are the intended beneficiaries.
(Abridged)
Pamela Drysdale, Brookfield
Drive-in movies
Re: Drive-in movies for Bayfair (News, March 29). What a fabulous idea. Can't wait to take my family.
Sandie Hunt, Tauranga
Hearing the sirens
I am hard of hearing and wear hearing aids. Last time they sounded the sirens I was unable to hear it.
As this might happen during the night, my suggestion would be sirens and plug in alarms for those who needed it in their homes. I am willing to pay for a personal one in my house if necessary.
I do not have a computer.
Pam Sexton, Papamoa
Little difference
Your article details a number of "differences" between kindergartens and childcare centres that are not entirely accurate.
The fact is today that there is little difference between the traditional view of kindergartens and childcare centres.
Both are involved in the delivery of quality early childhood education to preschool children; both employ up to 100 per cent qualified, registered early childhood teachers (the implication is that all kindergartens do this but that is not the case); that kindergartens are community-owned and operated, so too are a significant number of childcare centres.
Many childcare centres do not charge fees but invite donations from parents, as some kindergartens do. Some kindergartens charge fees.
In short, there is little difference between kindergartens and childcare centres these days apart from the name and that is not protected.
The real issue here, rather than the sensitivity around a name, should be the continuing focus on quality early childhood education, the reassurance that parents may take from that quality, and the range of choices available to parents as to where their child may go to access that quality.
Peter Reynolds, Chief executive officer Early Childhood Council
Two key points
Re: KiwiRail tables safety fears over waterfront park (News, March 29)
The plan has got my approval so long as:
The council provides extra parking to compensate for those spaces taken away.
Makes generous entry points for crowd control over or under the railway line.
Margaret Hills, Bethlehem
Revamp mistake
Your opinion that a revamp of The Strand can only be good surely needs qualification (Our View, March 30). Page 1 showed a picture of what is being contemplated? If that is anything like the reality (stumpy glass box on uninspiring base) I assert that would not be good.
A prime location needs a wonderful building even if some part is higher than six storeys. Please can we have something a bit more imaginative and capable of winning an international award?Guy AbelTauranga
Mall madnessI was passing through Goddards Centre on Friday with a friend when she went to use the public toilets/mothers' room to cater to her 3-month-old when she was told it was the last time public would be allowed to use it due to costs of upkeep. I think this is poor as there is a cafe nearby and patrons should be allowed use of it as the nearest ones are either the parking building or the ones on Willow St.
I think this is downright rude of mall management and selfish.
John Anderson, Tauranga
Point missed
Cherie Luxton, Papamoa, completely misses the point relating to parking meters (Your View, March 30). Mt Maunganui had water meters so the mayor and councillors decided in "fairness to everyone" both the Mount and Tauranga must have them.
Downtown Tauranga only has parking meters. On the basis of water meters being installed in Tauranga under the cloak of "fairness to everyone", it is abundantly clear that using the same reasoning, if Tauranga had to have water meters because Mount Maunganui had them, then downtown Mount Maunganui must also have parking meters because downtown Tauranga has them (in "fairness to everyone"). There is simply no way around it.
The three most senior local politicians (Mayor Stuart Crosby, Deputy Mayor David Stewart and ex-Mount Maunganui Mayor Wayne Moultrie) all live in and represent Mt Maunganui/Papamoa ratepayers who they keep happy so they'll vote for them.
Jan Hill, Tauranga
Text Views
* I think any product that dramatically changes mood towards a "high" feeling need to be outlawed for all, young and old. Energy drinks lead to Kronic which leads to cannabis which leads to harder drugs. Outlaw all of it and encourage healthy products.
* The only sirens councillors mayor & his very offsider hear is the wail of ratepayer discontent. Frm Team 4 Resign now
* GET REAL TCC councillors we can not afford to spend money on our local parks let alone pay for a major upgrade of the waterfront. Get your priorities in order!!
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