Letters to Editor 24 October 2008
Violence Free Golden Bay - It's Up to You
I would like to invite everyone to join as a community to show their commitment to the Government's campaign against family violence. You may have seen posters or television advertisements with the campaign message ‘It's not OK, but it's OK to ask for help'. My job is to bring this message to the people of Golden Bay. An exciting challenge.
New Zealand's statistics are terrifying; every year 10 children, 14 women and 6 men are killed by a family member. We have the 3rd highest rate of child homicide in the OECD countries but we can change this. Together.
Violence Free Golden Bay - It's Up to You is our local campaign message. It has to be up to us all to recognise and challenge damaging behaviour, and to know where to get help. It won't be easy. It has gone unchallenged for many generations, but it's now time to change. On Tuesday 21 and Saturday 25 October, I will be on the Village Green, giving out information and free wristbands. Choose your colour and join with us to say Violence Free Golden Bay - It's Up to You!
Emma Brazendale, Violence Free Golden Bay co-ordinator,
GB Community Workers
Economics 101
Heard of global financial meltdown, credit crunch, recession, boom and bust cycles? Wish to know what they mean for residents and small businesses? How are jobs and businesses affected? Can families continue to buy sufficient food and pay the bills?
How does a global crisis affect local economies? What if Fonterra downsizes and closes its GB factory because it's cheaper to transport milk out of the Bay? What happens to the factory jobs? Will Fonterra eventually sell the factory?
Likewise would tradespeople leave for employment elsewhere during a local building slowdown? Would businesses be forced to make some employees redundant? How would loss of disposable income affect the GB community? Can GB sustain major shutdowns of businesses and job losses?
Do you need MORE information on how to adjust to global and local economic problems? Have you MORE ideas to share with others? Want to learn how to avoid the disaster and make it through hard times?
A free workshop making the terms and conditions of economics easily understood is scheduled for Sunday 2 November from 2pm at the Community Centre. This is an excellent opportunity to explore local sustainable economics and get some real answers. Bookings essential: 525 8448.
Ro Piekarski for MORE (Money to Revitalise the Economy)
Well done Abel Tasman Air
On behalf of Reg Cooper and myself, I would like to publicly thank Abel Tasman Air from Motueka for a most wonderful experience on Wednesday 15 October. Vince D'Ath, owner/ operator and excellent pilot, took us on a trip from Takaka airstrip across the Bay and down to the mouth of the Karamea River, following the Heaphy Track, returning via the coastline across the base of Farewell Spit to the airstrip. This was a great trip; a day in the life of Reg Cooper that will certainly not be forgotten. Mr Cooper is our local World War II veteran who has battled over the past 15 years to have his house rectified after builders and others allowed a faulty home to be built.
Our grateful thanks to Abel Tasman Air.
KK Campbell
Government bail out of capitalism
The notion of the world's governments bailing out banks by buying them is absurd. It is the banking system itself that has created the bad debt and now we will be picking up the tab. Governments do not "make" money; they take money from you by force, called taxation.
As of this week, tax-paying citizens of the world have been given responsibility for "guaranteeing" the liquidity of banks by pledging future taxes to a massive bail out. This is not the first time this script has been used. What comes next is usually global economic depression, then hyperinflation, leading to starvation for millions of the have-nots. Then, in an urgent need to accelerate economic growth, there is normally war, or sometimes, a very big war.
Bruce Collings
Pohara Fest ‘08
Pohara transformed itself into a circus on Saturday night for the benefit of the Takaka Playcentre. It's great to be part of a community that throws itself wholeheartedly into this local fundraising event.
With thanks to GB Rubbish, Aristacat Mussels, The Playcentre parents helping on the night, and everyone who helped set up and clean up. Together you raised $1035 for the children. Same time, same place next year.
Tash Batten and Flis Hargreaves
Rototai community spirit takes flight
Much like Noah's ark with two of each animal, the Rototai cycle-walkway now has at least two of each fruit tree, and plenty of berries, nuts, vegetables and flowers. Over the past month of "making the cart" we were blessed with 30 "Honorary Members" who came to help "place the wheels on"; once the "streamers and balloons" are added and we're "rolling down the hill," all are welcome aboard for the free ride over the coming depression.
When we needed a third hand, Debora from Italy landed on our path after more than 200 skydives. Shirley F's ute/taxi helped collect the larger trees including three wonderful olives, the orange we requested, and another mandarin -- all from Sue L of Angelus. We're grateful to Shirley and Sue for donating roses for the Stairway to Peace. We appreciate Karen B's and Lyn T's extra daisies and Jane S's horse poo to compost for future food. In this "Bird of Paradise" there will still be plenty for us all, without motors.
In the community spirit of Bay Art, we are creating our happy future of love, peace and abundance. If you're in the area, pop over and be pleasantly surprised.
NgAng for RR&F
Housebound library service
Two weeks ago I asked if anyone in the community needed a housebound service. It would provide for the library needs of those who are physically unable to visit the library - either due to illness, age or home circumstances. We have had no response so I would like to ask again. A plea to the elderly who might like to use the service - you are not putting us out! It would be a pleasure to provide a library service for those who find it difficult to visit us. If you are interested or want to know more about the service please contact me, 525 0058. We have had a wonderful response from people volunteering to deliver the books. My thanks to you, and I hope we will have some work for you soon.
Tish Potter, branch librarian, Takaka Memorial Library
Kindergarten opening
Everything was....just so right The children were astonishing. The iwi - there are no words to describe the constant love and support felt. Our families and community - united, full of joy, respect and appreciation for their children. Te Awhi Rito and their gift Manurere took flight. Even the weather felt just right - a gentle rain to cleanse and feed and the sun to nourish and warm.
Such a loving occasion for all our children. Our hearts spilled over in song with such a feeling of support and celebration for all those that came before for those standing with us and those that are to come. Thank you.
Biddy Leigh and Susi Bassett
on behalf of Golden Bay Kindergarten
allshorts nz short film and music video festival
Golden Bay-grown allshorts nz short film and music video festival is a "must-see" event for film lovers, and screens at the iconic Village Theatre in Takaka this Saturday night at 7.30pm. Now in our third year, allshorts is a great chance to see the latest short films from all over New Zealand. It will be an audio-visual feast from Auckland to Dunedin with a generous sprinkling of Golden Bay filmmakers. Check out the programme on Our wicked range of genres includes drama, comedy, documentary, splatter, music vids and animation.
Top that off with a red carpet, bubbles, goldiewood glamour and an after-party at The Dangerous Kitchen with DJ Milky Joe - who could ask for anything more? Tickets on sale now at Interior Tempations $12 (very limited door sales).
Paddy Brennan
Green Party candidate explains absence
I was worried that some readers may have read the account of the Grey Power "meet the candidates" meeting (GBW Article 17/10) and jumped to conclusions about my not having been there. In fact Grey Power's proper "meet the candidates" meeting took place on Friday 26 September. I was there and enjoyed a very good reception from the audience, for which I was grateful. Unfortunately Parliament had taken urgency, and neither of the sitting MPs who are standing in the electorate was able to attend. The 8 October meeting that Neil reported on was a further meeting that Grey Power organised at short notice to ensure that people also had the chance to hear them. If I had been free I would certainly have come to the Bay again, but the notice was too short for me, and I had long been committed elsewhere.
I will next be in the Bay on Saturday 25 October and look forward to meeting people again then.
I was also intrigued by the observation Mike Scott made (GBW Letters 17/10) about the durability of the wonderful Green Party election billboards, compared with those of others. It's possible this phenomenon is the result of the universe conveying its approval for the Green Party's principled and positive approach to politics. However it may also be that the phenomenon instead illustrates the solid practical skills of the Green Party members who put them up!
Kevin Hague, Green Party candidate, West Coast Tasman
Local tradespersons building affordable homes
I would like to clear up any misconception created by Mike McKenna's letter (GBW 17/10) in regard to Jennian Homes and the project for Golden Bay Housing Trust. Jennian Homes has had a showroom in Takaka for three years and purposefully uses local builders and tradespersons to construct homes in Golden Bay.
Personally, I am very grateful that Jennian Homes, which is a nationwide franchise, has provided me with employment in Golden Bay so that I and my family have been able to stay in this community and live in this awesome location.
Many businesses and people employed in Golden Bay are reliant on "out of town businesses" or franchised businesses. Is there a general consensus to "close the Hill"? Unfortunately I don't think many of us could or would be able to stay.
Annie Telford, Golden Bay branch manager
Jennian Homes Nelson Bays Ltd
