Letters to Editor: Big thank you to clean up crew

Big thank you to clean up crew
 A big pat on the back for everyone who took time out of their busy lives to take part in last weekend's coastal clean-up.
Waimarama was so badly hit by flooding in late April that, despite the best efforts of everyone, it was going to take something extra special to help residents clean up their properties.
More than 100 people volunteered for Saturday's clean-up while more than 50 joined in on Sunday, and the feedback we received from the people of Waimarama shows that your contribution was seen as being incredibly valuable.
We are extremely grateful for the support you have shown to your fellow residents in their time of need.
A big thank you must also go to Hawke's Bay Today for their support of this project.
Not only was the paper invaluable in getting the word out about the clean-up but many of their staff also picked up shovels and leant a hand over the weekend.
We must also acknowledge the generous support of a number of local businesses, who came on board to provide transport and equipment to help the clean-up operation.
A big thank you goes to Tumu Timber, Level Thinking, Bower Landscaping Contracting, Hirepool, Jarks Cafe and Nimons.
Without your help it would have been difficult to achieve so much in such a short space of time.
A number of other businesses also turned up on the day to help out.
Hawke's Bay has again showed that we can look after our own and we hope all those who volunteered took something from the experience.
Thank you for your invaluable contribution.
Lawrence Yule, Mayor of Hastings
Religious holidays
Allan Sinton (Letters, May 10): Might I offer a another answer to your disdain of stores being open other than greed?
For those of us who choose not to believe in your 2000-year-old world view, perhaps we are just tired of being mandated to celebrate your religious holidays, and choose to ignore them.
Maybe in some cases it is indeed greed - but maybe in others it is the silent protest to the idea you have expressed, which does not seem to think anyone else should have the right to not celebrate your faith.
Andrew Dobson, Tamatea
Ducking for cover
Re: Who's responsible for this? (Hawke's Bay Today, May 7).
Hastings District Council spokesman Paul Evans has accepted responsibility on behalf of the council for the flooding at Te Awanga, caused by the malfunction of the Leyland drain. Council was put on notice to deal with this nine years ago.
To date, "the only drain has been on ratepayers' money".
The Te Awanga Lagoon, another cause of the recent flooding, is "100 per cent under the Hawke's Bay Regional Council", says Mr Evans.
However Mike Adye of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council says, "It is not clear who is responsible for the outlet."
This is unbelievable! Two councils, one issue and neither accepts responsibility.
Mr Adye says the situation needs to be looked at but this will need "consultation and discussion".
For about 12 years there has been ongoing "consultation", including an invitation to the Hastings District Council to do its part.
Nothing done.
Mr Adye - "consultation and discussion" has proved to be worthless.
Where is the solution and delivery?
It is time to listen to those who know and have the answers.
Do the obvious: let the drains flow and when you empty them give us your groins and save the Cape Coast.
Gavin Yortt, Te Awanga
Harawira danger
Having recently counselled editors against giving demagogues the oxygen of publicity, I reluctantly protest at your editorial of May 10 in which you state that no party should stand against Hone Harawira should he provoke a byelection.
True, it would save us a paltry half a million dollars that might be better spent on dealing with child abuse, for example.
It would not, however, prevent Harawira from grandstanding because the media seems to hang on his every word, no matter how outrageous.
But, more importantly, failing to oppose this anti-democratic foghorn, his dreadful family and the rag-tag band of leftists around him would be completely against the public interest - which at its most basic means a choice for ordinary people at the ballot box.
Our fathers and mothers saw clearly what happens when totalitarians of the left or right are allowed free reign.
Bring on the election.
If Harawira is returned, take note how many people backed a man who openly supported a mass murderer.
Then, perhaps, be very afraid.
Brian Mackie, Napier
Silly sentences
The sentence handed down by Justice Allan displays the lack of common sense that plagues the justice system in New Zealand.
This offender had previously committed a similar rape for which he received a sentence of six years.
On this occasion he was found guilty of additional crimes of male assaults (another) female, burglary, threatening to kill three other females, injuring with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.
For these offences he will serve no additional prison time.
Hello, Justice Allen - why didn't this menace receive a sentence of preventative detention?
Your reported remark that if he offended in a similar way when released a sentence of preventative detention would be "virtually inevitable" will be of real comfort to his next victim(s). Not!
Who are you trying to protect, Judge?
The people who pay your salary or the criminals who stalk them?
Ian McIntosh, Greenmeadows