Gun lobby
Whenever there is a massacre overseas, especially America, it is always followed by some talk of gun control. A gun lobby gets into action, and the president crawls back into his shell.
The reason for this is that those gun owners are voters and the lives of innocent people are less important than losing votes and an election. Shame.
This, in my view, was quite clearly confirmed by the head of the largest gun lobby in New Zealand some time ago when after some incident he wrote to the Police Minister of the National party "…. it will not improve National's position in the forthcoming election." (News, March 20).
We can all be proud of our Prime Minister, Jacinda Adern, of her definite statement that new gun laws would be passed quickly. She set an example to all world leaders, no negotiations, no consideration of losing some votes or even an election. I applaud her for that, and so do all of us, I am sure.
Harry Brasser
Rotorua
Children not in school
While shopping, driving through the city and walking the dog in the Redwoods today I counted no less than 35 children, all of school age, and not in school.
It was not the lunch hour, and nearly all the children were with at least one of their parents. What is going on? Do these parents feel that their children do not need education, or are they just not bothering?
Perhaps this goes a long way to explaining why there is such a shortage of skilled people in the country today!
Jim Adams
Rotorua
Central Business District
While the mayor and councillor Karen Hunt are sure that changes to the CBD are headed in the right direction (News, March 18), business owners, relying on foot traffic, aren't so convinced.
The City Focus was a shaded place for gathering or a meeting point. Its replacement, Te Manawa, is somewhere where you play chicken with your life every time you cross it.
The centrally located City Focus i-site disappeared so locals in town can no longer give pedestrian visitors easy directions to it.
The lemon that is the unused "green corridor" not only consumed parking spaces; in my view, it killed foot traffic. Hinemoa St is so lifeless and depressing now.
The new parking system is yet another nail in the CBD's coffin. Why didn't council heed the problems of same system installed in Tauranga and have them rectified?
Assuming the flashy Lakefront development joining Tutanekai St would generate a "significant" increase in retail spending is, in my view, naive. How many people are likely to walk the seven-block length of the street or even most of it? How many mall-shoppers are likely to be interested in a development designed to appeal to wealthy tourists? If people did want to get from one end of Tutanekai St to the other, I'm sure most would drive, especially if they're armed with the said "significant" retail spending. (Abridged)
Paddi Hodgkiss
Rotorua
CBD security
It's not surprising some business owners in Rotorua's CBD are urgently calling for further safety measures on the city streets (News, March 22).
Perhaps we should establish a building in the centre of the CBD, beneath some weather protecting sails calling it the City Focus and include provision for a full-time policeman to patrol on site, and resident council staff who could regularly walk the streets to observe and report on any actual or anticipated problems. (Abridged)
Garry Owen
Ngongotaha
The Rotorua Daily Post welcomes letters from readers. Please note the following:
• Letters should not exceed 250 words.
• They should be opinion based on facts or current events.
• If possible, please email.
• No noms-de-plume.
• Letters will be published with names and suburb/city.
• Please include full name, address and contact details for our records only.
• Local letter writers given preference.
• Rejected letters are not normally acknowledged.
• Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the Editor's discretion.
• The Editor's decision on publication is final.
Email editor@dailypost.co.nz
