Letters: Take only photos, leave only footprints

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A recent letter to the Rotorua Daily Post (April 3) relating to damage to a tree in the Redwoods forest has prompted me to comment on what I might best describe as "Visitor Vandalism".

The accompanying photo shows the damage to one Redwood tree (situated at the southern end on the boardwalk) and is one of many trees that have been damaged by visitors taking bark as a souvenir or from their indulgence in tree-hugging while others in their tour group take photos.

There are signs about the forest asking people not to do this but these are in English only - many of our visitors however don't speak the language. Council (with better signs), tour bus drivers and tour guides should reinforce these "rules" and above all else, remind visitors of the axiom: take only photos and leave only footprints.

LEN WATSON
Rotorua

Recent Rotorua Lakes Council-related articles have raised alarm bells with me.

Firstly, the chief executive Geoff Williams tells councillors not to attend a recent public meeting at Ngongotaha (Rotorua Daily Post April 6), or they could be seen to have a predetermined opinion (meaning they couldn't vote).

In my opinion, this is a blatant misuse of his power. In my view, the CEO's role in relation to councillors is to make sure they are well informed by way of well rounded and unbiased reports, advise on policy and procedure but not to tell councillors what they can and can't do.

Councillors employ the CEO, not the other way around. Ratepayers elect councillors to represent them and as such, attending public meetings regarding contentious council related issues should be high on the list of councillor must dos.

Secondly, the council made a complaint to the Press Council about the Daily Post's reporting of a protest hikoi to the council (Rotorua Daily Post, April 7).

The complaint was dismissed, but I believe the fact that there was a complaint in the first place is deeply disturbing.

Is this an attempt to keep the 4th Estate quiet, to not dare report any negative stories about RLC?

My view is the council wants to keep pesky councillors and ratepayers like mushrooms in the dark so that they can go about their business totally unhindered.

Councillors tell me that most reports they receive are scant and biased, often a mere rubber stamping exercise, plus much of what we read about the council is simply spin produced by its own PR team.

Yes, in my view, the tail truly wags the dog.

JULIE CALNAN
Rotorua