Letters to editor 14 November 2008
Cyclists
Peter Blasdale (GBW Letters 7/11) is right to condemn stupid or careless drivers who endanger cyclists. But the Orwellian overtone of "two wheels good, four wheels bad" ignores the fact that some cyclists act like bloody fools, too. I have twice come close to hitting stupid cyclists; one riding without lights and swerving out from behind a parked car; the other an idiot who came swooping at speed out of a side road.
Mr Blasdale cites the case of the cyclist recently killed on the Coromandel. He neglects to mention that this cyclist was participating in a race on a public road not closed to other traffic. Not the most intelligent activity, I would have thought. According to the New Zealand Herald, police said that at several points on the course cyclists were using both sides of the road "as if they owned it".
Christopher Mitson
Election result
I'd like to use this letter to thank all those who helped me with my electoral campaign through much-needed donations, actions, words of support, and finally voting to call for change. Thank you very much.
It was encouraging to see that even though the country moved to the right, there was a sign from voters that said they preferred regulation over prohibition as the way to deal with cannabis within society. May we all get through the next three years, which are going to be tough, and please don't give up on me as I won't give up on you. This is a law that needs to be and can be changed.
Steven Wilkinson
Vote for families
I hear accolades about the Green Party advertisement showing a young girl stating "Vote for me".
According to how Green (and most Labour) MPs have voted on family issues over the past six years, that young girl would have more than likely been aborted along with 50 other New Zealand babies today (18,000 per year). If pregnant as a teenager, she would be encouraged to abort her own baby without her parents ever knowing, even though a school field trip or a tooth extraction would require parental consent. And as an adult she would be permitted to be openly involved in prostitution in your neighbourhood.
These and other Green-supported laws undermine a parent's role and redefine family. I would rather vote for those parties that strengthen and protect families than those that redefine and undermine them. To see how MPs have voted on laws affecting your family, go to <www.familyfirst.org.nz>.
Lauren Swafford
Tasman Karaoke superstars
To all those who want to be part of the Karaoke competition at the Village Green on Saturday 15 November: sorry if you didn't get the chance to practise at your school; however there will be plenty of time on Saturday if you get there early enough to practise. That is at 10am. Remember, there are prizes for Saturday's winners donated by local businesses, and good cash prizes for winners at the regional finals, Motueka A&P Show.
Dave Myall, GB Recreation co-ordinator
Letters to the editor
The GB Weekly encourages letters to the editor that initiate and promote debate and comment.
We accept that as a community newspaper we will also receive letters to the editor that publicise community events. However these letters have been growing in number and size, and this has had the effect of reducing the number and variety of articles that we have been able to publish. We have decided that whenever space is tight, this type of letter will be abridged so it provides basic information.
Public Notices and Upcoming Events are still very reasonably-priced ways to advertise events.
Marg Braggins, Manager The GB Weekly
