Letters: Council needs to live within its budget

Rotorua's skate park could be in for a major revamp, if money is found - but from where? Photo/file

Rotorua's skate park could be in for a major revamp, if money is found - but from where? PHOTO/FILE 150317bf8.JPG

I was appalled to read (Rotorua Daily Post, March 16) the Rotorua Lakes Council plans to spend up to $4 million on a skate park, after assuring ratepayers that there would be tight controls on council spending.

Are ratepayers going to benefit from this ridiculous waste of money? I doubt it. If $4m has been found from somewhere, not gleaned from the bottomless ratepayer pit, why not put it towards the $5m insurance excess required for the strengthening of the museum?

This, at least, would contribute to the revenue-earning arm of council. Why not pay down some of our huge debt? Why not put it aside towards the new sewage scheme?

It would seem that council's excessive spending is rampant and ill advised.

I fear last year's 'one off' rates rise was just a taste of things to come.

Without council selling off assets, I fear our next rates rise will be a second and higher "one off" and once again we will be fed a raft of excuses and justifications.

It's time our council lived within its budget. The only winners here are the banks.

PADDI HODGKISS
Rotorua

Retirement at 65 should not be compulsory

My dear friend Jackie Evans - with reference to your letter on retirement age (Letters, Saturday March 18).

Yes, I received a good education, and yes I was a 'white collar' worker - but I was raised on a farm during the war years when you couldn't get help.

I worked in Canada in farming, logging and in a brick factory (nights to earn extra money!) I played ice hockey in the winter and farm/logging in the summer and to fill in the gaps I managed a supermarket - and when the bottom fell out of the newspaper trade I filled more gaps doing hairdressing.

I ran pubs - often having to do bar and kitchen work on the same shift - and now, at the grand old age of 84 I have started work all over again.

So do not tell me how hard people work - I have the T-shirt.

What I am saying is retirement at 65 should not be compulsory. Many would like the choice.

JIM ADAMS
Rotorua