Letters to the editor: Councillor unaware of speed hump installation

A speed hump on Kawaha Point Rd. Photo / Andrew Warner

I took a drive after Jeanette Crean's letter to the editor about Kawaha Point Rd (June 11) and having had angry ratepayers phone me about this.

I agree totally with Jeanette's sentiments and comments. As a councillor I had no knowledge that these speed humps were going to be installed. We were not told of them, nor was it discussed with us.

I am aware that in the past, councillors were consulted on safety issues on local roads.

I fear that the first time an emergency service vehicle has to negotiate these obstructions, the result could be tragic.

Cr Peter Bentley
Rotorua District Council

Number of speed bumps a joke

I agree that the number of speed bumps on Kawaha Point Rd is excessive, in fact, it is a joke.

We have been trying to get a couple of speed bumps on our road - a racetrack - only to be told that the council does two a year and we are number 15 on the list.

But then what else could we expect from the council?

Jim Adams
Rotorua

Sad to hear of passing

I was saddened to hear John Perry had died (News, June 11)

We had a great relationship. We both were keen to retain artworks relating to the city to keep them in town.

He was continually being offered works he was unable to buy while he was curator of the Art Gallery and reliant on the council budget. Often he gave me the opportunity, which I gladly accepted and much of the Rotorua art hanging on my walls is thanks to John.

The Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust then came along and, much to my wife's relief, started the art collection we are so proud of today.

Alf Hoyle
Lynmore

Housing bigger priority

Government spending is at record highs and taxpayers are paying more than $100 million to house homeless people in motel units throughout New Zealand.

Undoubtedly, in this group, many of these people collectively include Māori, whom the Government has compassionately pledged to help.

In the 2021 Budget, politicians set aside $48m to fund Māori language, so the question is, is this a greater priority than being housed?

At least 120 houses each at $400,000 could be built with $48m.

Luckily we have enough communication skills to get by and it would be interesting to canvass those (particularly Māori) in homeless situations for their opinion as to their preference, so as to derive a people's opinion rather than the political stunt.

Of course, in my raising of this point, someone is bound to pull out the racial card, but this is not what it is about, I am merely suggesting addressing the housing crisis is more urgent.

A prudent Government should use taxpayer funds wisely for the greatest benefit while avoiding a debt blowout risk.

Jos Nagels
Brookfield

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