Council needs to be sensible about rates rise

LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
Hastings District Council has proposed in its draft annual plan 2011/12 to increase the general rate for rural properties by a massive 19.4per cent. The general rate is based on land value and will be increased from the present 0.2503c to 0.2988c per dollar land value.
All landowners have received in April a printed publication from the Council called First Rate. On the front page is clearly stated that the proposed average rating increase for farming properties (Rating Area Two) will be 2per cent and that "tough economic conditions" have been taken into account.
On page 3 is mentioned that the actual rate for individual properties can be somewhat more or less depending on their actual land value changes.
The average land value for rural properties in our District was actually decreased by 7 per cent following the recent Quotable Value valuation. If one's uninhabited land value did not change the total rate increase is 19.4per cent.
If the land value fell by, for example, 4per cent, the actual rate increase is 14.6per cent and if the land value fell by the average 7 per cent the increase is still a hefty 11per cent. For inhabited properties, the increases are similar and only slightly different because of some other minor targeted rates.
But for large farms with an average land value decrease, the rate increases are still more than 10 per cent.
Why did the council mention that the average increase is only 2per cent if in fact it is five times more.
Is it an error or have we been deceived? How could rating staff members and senior management have agreed to send out personalised notices with such enormous increases in these difficult times? And how could this draft plan and thus this 19.4 per cent rate increase has been approved by all councillors?
Many of the nearly 4000 rural landowners might have thought that the 2 per cent is not too bad and have not bothered to study their proposed rates from July 1 which was printed somewhat obscured on the back page of this First Rate. Busy farmers cleaning up their storm damage might not have taken notice at all.
All ratepayers in Area Two should now compare their new rate on the back page of First Rate with their present rate and calculate the difference. If they cannot find their copy, they should go to the HDC website/Your property/Rates and then to the "Rating Information Base" where they can check their present rates and new rates. If they are not certain if they are in Area Two they should check their present rate invoices in which their rating group is clearly mentioned.
If they are shocked and disgruntled, it is too late to make a submission which closed on May 10. Council will review all submissions received on time next week. But it is not yet too late to make your voice heard by complaining directly to the councillors, mayor or deputy mayor or sending letters of complaint to the council management.
It is hoped that council management and councillors will come to their senses soon and make proper corrections so that more drastic action from the farming community will not be needed.Edward VisserTuki Tuki Valley
So ordinaryIn reply to the letter re the floral clock on the Marine Parade. I am also living in Australia but was born and bred in Napier. On my trips home, the Marine Parade is a must visit and I always visit Pania, but cannot help but feel a huge disappointment in the floral clock. It was always so beautiful years ago but I am now staggered how very ordinary it looks these days. It is a shame, there is a huge amount of tourists visiting Napier and I so agree with the writer of the letter that something needs to be done about it.Bronwyn JonesAustraliaMere minnowsWhen are cyclists who share the road with other road users going to realise they are the smallest fish in the sea - bar pedestrians.
It is about time they take responsibility for their own safety, ie, mirrors, looking behind before turning, give way at roundabouts and stop signs as required by all road users.
Anyone riding a pushbike in the current conditions is misguided if they rely on others for their own safety.
From a fellow motorcyclist, car owner and truck owner who pays ACC levies on all of the above.J R LordHastings
No to vaccinesA century ago, many New Zealanders died from scarlet fever, but today no one contracts this disease, let alone dies from it. This satisfactory situation has rightly been attributed to improved diet, hygiene and living conditions.
A century ago, many New Zealanders died from diphtheria, but today no one contracts this disease, let alone dies from it. This satisfactory situation has been attributed to vaccines.
Graphs in the New Zealand Official Year Book show that from early last century, the death rate for many diseases declined dramatically. By 1960, the death rate for scarlet fever, diphtheria, typhoid, measles and whooping cough was virtually nil. Strangely, it was then that vaccines for these very diseases (except scarlet fever) were introduced.
There has never been a vaccine for scarlet fever.
Maybe Dr Gary should view these graphs or, better still, read Susan Claridge's informative book, Investigate Before You Vaccinate.
In his weekly column, Dr Gary urges a concerned parent not to delay having his son receive all 11 jabs mandated before the age of 5.
Dr Gary scoffs at 'theoretical risks of complications", but just one jab is too much for some children. Dawn Bedingfield's letter described how her healthy baby was afflicted with blindness, severe brain damage, severe seizures and numerous other conditions.
He suffered these adverse effects of vaccination until his untimely death at the age of 30.
Knowing this, what reasonable parents would still want to risk a similar life of misery for their children - and also for themselves?Margaret Burgess HastingsKiwiSaver
Can I claim "breach of contract"? Terms and conditions have been radically changed. I want my money back and no exit charges. These new terms surely apply only to new entrants. Russell SynnottNapier