Letters: Council should walk the talk on footpaths

A reader says footpaths are overlooked by the council. Photo/File

In response to Harold Hunt's letter published 4th August 2018, I'm afraid his request for better footpaths will fall upon deaf ears.

In the Victoria/Glenholme area, we have to put up with ageing, cracked footpaths and crumbling kerbing.

Despite our appeals and special requests to the council over the years, including letters to the editor on behalf of child pedestrians and mobility scooters – we've received no response.

We've just received increased rates. Ratepayers wanting a slice of the rates pie, hear "You get what you pay for?" which is primarily used to denigrate inexpensive goods as naturally inferior.

What do you expect – you get what you pay for? Wrong. How about the council "walks a mile in someone else's shoes" a saying used to develop empathy of others?

Walk the talk instead of talking the talk, otherwise voters' actions will "speak louder
than words" next year. (Abridged)

Tracey McLeod
Lake Tarawera

Only when full

Re recycling bins (Letters, August 4). We have been putting out blue bins for an age now and the contents by no means guarantee a guide as to the week's consumption.

We frequently only put our bin out when full which may take weeks or if friends have visited, weekly.

The number of bottles may be the same and may also be bolstered by other glass items.

Jim Adams should attend to his own level of boozing (his choice of verb) and leave his neighbours be. (Abridged)

William Wright
Rotorua

Humanitarian approach

I must take exception to the comment by Elaine Mander (Letters August 3), when she states that our mayor and council have done nothing to solve the housing problem of our homeless community.

Mander should take heed of the words of those at the coal face, the Visions of a Helping Hand Trust.

Those charitable people have on more than one occasion, as reported by the Daily Post, publicly thanked our mayor and council for their efforts.

Further, it was the good governance of our council that has seen the center shift from a building that would never have gained a certificate of compliance, to a new site which will, and quickly.

Mander should remember that central government has clearly ruled that it is in control of all housing issues, including emergency housing.

It is, quite bluntly, an issue that our council could have easily, and legitimately ignored.

But instead, our council has adopted a humanitarian approach and is endeavouring to assist with the problem.

Perhaps Elaine Mander is just another member of a vociferous anti council group that exists in our city, and who seek to take advantage of any situation that may, in their eyes, destroy the credibility of our council.

It is a pity, that for the sake of politics this group is, in my view, prepared to use the fate of our homeless to advance their own cause. (Abridged)

John Pakes
Ngongotaha