Letters To Editor: Unified governance a priority

Unified governance a priority
Well done GJC Ferguson (HB Today, July 12). Your writer offers the most cogent and compelling reasoning of anyone to date in the amalgamation debate.
Hawke's Bay's economic and social malaise is distilled down to one word - leadership. Your writer says we need to change the dynamic to a unified and progressive region.
As a local politician I have witnessed close up the charade played out issue by issue, dollar by dollar. Our councils have gone at each other in the most outrageous way for years. The environment court is the play ground for bureaucrats to contest some petty war of words over some plan or other. The local fiefdoms are jealously protected so that all manner of services are ridiculously duplicated.
Mention of Hawke's Bay in Wellington automatically invites eye rolling. Business prospects flee in despair in the face of a mountain of local council red tape. Even to the world our councils seek out liaisons with different and disparate sister cities.
Those seriously thinking about the future of the region know unity must start with unified governance. Let's get on with it.
Neil Kirton, Hawke's Bay Regional Councillor
Not sure on unity
As a Napier city councillor, it was interesting to read the weekend articles about citizens' views of amalgamation and the clarification of MP Chris Tremain's position on how he sees the future of Hawke's Bay. As always, I will add these viewpoints to growing pile of information that will help me make a decision when the time comes for me to vote in the interests of the future of Napier.
I will also take on board the comments made by the Minister of Local Government, Rodney Hide, at the Local Government conference in Wellington this week. In case your readers missed the report, he said
Amalgamation is risky. It's too easy to end up with councils even more remote and more bureaucratic - losing the local in local decision-making.
So looking ahead, I see benefits in shared services and councils working together on both projects and plans for the wider regions of which their communities are a part. I believe in that way we can enjoy the benefits of amalgamation while keeping the local in local government and avoiding the risks of amalgamation.
Interestingly, this is the path taken by Mayors Arnott and Yule and their councils since they took office in 2001. I am not convinced as to why Mayor Yule wishes to deviate from this path.
I believe in evidence-based decision-making. I am still looking for the evidence that amalgamation is right for Napier and Hawkes Bay.
Cr Kathie Furlong, Deputy Mayor, Napier City Council
Beach erosion
I am 15 years old and I am a member of the Westshore Surf Life Saving Club. I am writing to complain about the Westshore beach erosion. The Westshore Surf Life Saving Club will not be able to continue because the waves are breaking right over into the club area at high tide. Eventually the housing will be affected as unstable gravel in the form of a single wall is not working. The waves are already pushing sticks and shingle into the surf club.
I would like the beach to be protected and restored to a sandy beach. Could the Napier City Council explain why high seas are threatening the survival of the surf club and why we are losing the backshore even though the beach is artificially strengthened every year?
Josh Thompson, Napier
Helping planet
Growth cannot be sustainable but sustainability can grow!
I write to commend David Trubridge on his article in 12 July edition of HB Today.
It was heartening to read this simply-stated but thoughtful article that will hopefully inspire more Kiwis to reflect upon our lifestyle and the ways we can become more sustainable and empathetic with the planet. More articles like this please Hawkes Bay Today!Marilyn Scott HastingsWhat goes aroundRe "Napier fraudster balks at payback".
You, Blair, are a sincerely revolting, cruel and nasty little man. Your crime not only hurt the big players in this game but the little ones also.
The fact that your morals allowed you to do this and then balk at paying a tiny amount back truly is testament to how pathetically sad you are.
Isn't it fantastic that after you leave jail, you walk straight into a job earning pretty big dollars. I would be inclined to ask how?
Why do you deserve a cushy life, and the loss of only $100 p/w, when those of us still paying for your mess are paying 10 times that amount.
There is no hate involved here, we don't waste any emotion on you any more, although abhorrent disgust and sincere disappointment are what comes to mind in regards to you and your actions. We do not wish you well, we do not wish you any ill wishes either, we wish you nothing. You are not worth it.
But please realise karma has a way of coming around to those who deserve it and you, Blair, are well deserving.
Tanya Hughes, Bay View