Texts To The Editor: 29/07/11

Politics
*  Taxing the gold plated wealthy is common sense and making fruit and veges affordable. I'll drink to that. Go Labour!
*  So John Key will resign if the retirement age is raised. What a kiss up. Raise it, raise it!
*  I personally think that John Keys is right by saying he doesn't want those refugees coming to NZ. We can barely afford to run our own country without bringing them in. BN
*  What's NZ coming to if we allow these boat people into NZ. Haven't we got enough problems as it is? Or has John Key got more jobs for them and not us? Oz here I come. J.B.NA.
Gascoigne St
*  Gascoigne St is now dangerous. Parking issues and there will be some accidents with people doing uturns to park.
Amalgamation
*  Brilliant intelligent letter to Ed from GJC Ferguson re amalgamation! Hope the powers that be take note. JL
*  If Napier were to merge, your rates would be through the roof like ours in Hastings. My sister lives in Napier, her rates are a lot less and her land and capital value are twice as high. Guess that shows the benefit of less debt.
*  I am all for amalgamated councils as long as they adopt the user friendly and frugal culture that NCC has. In fact give NCC control and watch HB bloom.
*  I wish some Napier residents wouldn't presume to speak on behalf of all. I'm a Napier resident and I'm in favour of amalgamation. Without a consolidated plan for the future our beautiful home will continue to fall off the pace.
*  Seems the debate on amalgamation gives Napier people the opportunity to rubbish Hastings and its people. Usual illusion of superiority. Why can't we both be accepted for our individualities? GJC Ferguson has the idea - progressive leadership for HB and don't sweat the small stuff. JR
*  Get over yourselves Napier. Hastings is great with great people. This is old fashioned arrogance from people who think they are better than the rest of us. Come on Napier bring your noses down from their lofty heights and face reality. I can tell you right now, it won't happen overnight but it's going to happen. LK
*  Oh come on Napier people. Please amalgamate with Hastings. We can't afford Mr Yule's salary increase by ourselves with no wage rise of our own for two years.
Other thoughts
*  To BK; A bicycle requires zero energy in itself? How is the metal to make it manufactured? Where does the oil that lubricates the chain and the grease in the bearings come from? The rubber? The plastic? TW
*  Re speeding: A marked police car sped past Napier Boys' High School. Driving at 90km/h past a school, during lunch is not safe practise, no matter the circumstance! Sergei - concerned student of NBHS.
*  Re overdue bills or can't pay bills: It's not just the recession. Some folk just want to wear the latest clothes. I don't have the great clothes but at least our bills get paid.
*  I too am totally sick of Omahu Rd mess. My poor car gets shaken to bits every day and covered in mud. I also hate the man towing the chains who shakes his fist threateningly, he shouldn't be working in a job like that!
*  Roundabout and lanes and lane directions with and without arrows at Taradale clock area seems dangerous. Is it dangerous? I have seen several near misses. CS
*  What strange folk they must be to think its funny to watch stressed lambs being chased by quad bikes and dogs down High St. Shame on CHB organisers.
*  The World News newspaper scandal. Corruption at the top.
*  Moko the dolphin most likely would still be alive today if he was captive in Marineland.
*  Big up's to the Silver Ferns. So proud of you. Good try ladies.
*  If prisoners want to smash up their cell why fix it? Let them sleep with broken windows and furniture. No prisoners disadvantaged. What a joke. J E
*  Gee with all the attention on the issue of "kronic" at the moment why is alcohol so over looked even though it causes so much more destruction death and damage to our communities. How can it be that the media don't jump onto that bandwagon at all?
*  Re Kiwis emigrating to Oz: The ones who are going are not usually the ones who are a drain on state support systems. They are the ones who are tired of supporting the social welfare system and going to a country where people are getting more return for the taxes they pay.
*  I'm very impressed with the honesty of everyone who has put money in our tin at our roadside lemon stall on Joll Road. A big thank you.
*  Re loading ramp things in Maraekakaho Rd, maybe it is going to be a pedestrian overbridge lol. RSM
*  Re see GP first: Called ambulance. They called GP. Yes come in they said. Got there. No go away they said. So we went to urgent medical. I went to urgent medical first as my GP can never see me when I have a turn. Even when urgent it takes two or three days to get an appointment. Useless. And I always pay.
*  Shame on Napier-based company Only Domains stating on its website: "Napier is the only recognised city within the Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand."
*  Good look for Hastings when rugby world cup on. Beggar sitting around streets with his pathetic sign. High time something was done about him ripping off people.