Letters to editor 5 December 2008
Men stand up against violence
What an awesome community we live in. Tuesday 25th was White Ribbon Day, a day when men stand up against violence. As I watched the water rising on Monday, I thought the last thing on anybody's mind would be helping to give out ribbons, making a stand against violence. But I was wrong.
On Tuesday nine men gave a bit of their time (and in some cases a big bit), to stand on one of the two stalls, to talk to people, give out white ribbons and reinforce the message that violence, in any form, cannot be tolerated. The passion and commitment they showed left me humbled. But, humbling too was the support they received from the people of Golden Bay. Almost unanimously they were behind the campaign, wanting to make Golden Bay a violence-free place in which to live.
So thank you to Bruce, Bob, Robbie, Cam, Neil, Mark, Jason, Sol and Diarmuid. You are awesome. And to the people who showed their support and wore white ribbons, you are awesome too. Thank you. With your support we can make ‘Violence-Free Golden Bay' a reality, not just a dream.
Emma Brazendale, co-ordinator Violence-Free Golden Bay
Ph 525 8876, fax 525 8051
TXT communication in an emergency
It was good to see (GBW article 28/11) that the powers-that-be had all the information of the rising flooding rivers coming to their data-base. But what about the people living in it; how do they know what is still coming? They tell us to turn the radio on, which means one has to actually listen to it. Surely there is a computer out there somewhere capable of sending automated TXT messaging.
In this day and age TXT is immediate communication. It is in writing, can be worded clearly and can be forwarded to others. A TXT number could be set up as our own automated emergency number. Then when there is a power cut, or the Takaka Hill is closed or an emergency that affects a lot of people in the Bay, people can TXT in, or contact somebody who can, for the latest update. The TXT number data base could also contain other information for a fee that may help to pay for the system.
Gerald Langford
Shared Traditional Christmas Lunch
During Christmas Day last year a dozen-plus Takaka citizens of all ages, some strangers, some acquainted, got together at the rugby rooms to celebrate the day with a shared Christmas meal. The day offered a simple get-together for those who wished to share Christmas with others. Afterwards, the overall consensus was that this joint Christmas Day meal was worth repeating.
So if you feel at a loose end this Christmas, please join us at the rugby rooms, Recreation Park, and bring along a plate of your favourite food. The Shared Traditional Christmas Lunch is planned from 11am to 3pm and all are invited.
It would be helpful if an indication of attendance could be given by 15 December. Contact: Bill or Joan Fishley on 525 8338, or Scott Mieras <om@orcon.net.nz>.
Melinda Kohler
Racism - Aotearoa,
I'm sad you confuse truth with racism (GBW letters 28/11). My preferred greeting is a hug and a kiss. This does not make me racist. (Actually, I've thought of a way to incorporate that "wild tongue" thing that would really make your eyes roll.)
History: Should we blame today's children of Roman heritage for killing Jesus?
As we wait in the departure lounge to take the spiritual plane to enlightenment we find no check-in counter for our baggage.
The seeds we plant today are the nourishment of the future. If we don't pass the roughage of yesterday we will end up full of it. Love and peace.
BJ White
Recent flood
It's an ill wind that doesn't bring some good, the old saying goes. In this case the flood came on 24 November. Although it was inconvenient for some it should remove the doubts about some of the supposed flood-prone areas in the Takaka township area, following the inconsistent and often incorrect statements by councillors and council staff and the release of the variation threatening the restriction of future building in the developed area of Takaka.
The flood, which was of reasonable magnitude, showed that the area zoned residential in Meihana Street and a proposed site for a new medical centre were completely free of flooding save for a couple of small areas of surface water. These were observed by myself and several others from the top of Birch Hill at the height of the flood. Perhaps the doubters, the Johnny-come-latelies who have doubted the information and TDC staff will take more notice of some who have lived here for many years and witnessed similar events. They now have no reason to stand in the way of development on this area.
Barry Cashman
It never ceases to amaze me how people with no financial stake in the town can be so keen to tell those of us who have a stake how we should manage our properties and our town.
Those of us here in Takaka need to be more proactive in telling TDC just what we want. A proper embankment would eliminate this nonsense of building restrictions and "moving" the town.
Tony Sandall
Thank you Duncan McKenzie. Without your stopbank a much greater volume of water would have been released during the recent heavy rains to cause damage in Takaka township and Motupipi Street houses. People, especially in Motupipi Street, have vivid memories of the 1983 flood and its effect on their properties. If the only small section of the stop bank had remained in its higher state no water would have been released. If the stop bank had been extended the township would be protected from extensive flood damage.
Brian and Noleen Reilly, L & P Crockford (Mohua Motels)
Bev Thomason, Mark and Yvonne Page
Mal and Lorraine Stone, Roger and Kerri Tait
Riding for Development ponies
Recent comment on the welfare of RDA ponies (GBW letters 21/11) implied that veterinary advice recommended starvation and exercise restriction for the treatment and prevention of laminitis (foundering) in ponies. The Rural Service Centre Vet Clinic would like to stress that this is totally incorrect.
Restricting the amount of spring grass ingested and maintaining dry matter intake with hay is an accepted practice for managing the condition. The risk associated with access to too much fresh spring grass cannot be overstated, indeed recent tampering with feed allocation fences by intruders may have contributed to one of the RDA ponies suffering an albeit mild attack of laminitis.
We are impressed by the attention to detail the staff of the RDA exhibit when documenting health events (such as worming, weighing, etc) relating to the RDA ponies. The health records for all three ponies are excellent. The RDA ponies have maintained a relatively constant weight over the last six weeks and we feel the ponies are in appropriate body condition at this time.
Maintaining the health and welfare of the ponies is our only objective and we believe this objective is being met at this time.
The advice we have given has been based on local knowledge and experience in this field.
Peter Howard, Joan Reilly
Rural Service Centre Vet Clinic
Thank you to Judy and her team at RDA. All your hard work and kind words have helped our daughter in so many ways. Wednesdays are her favourite days (mine as well). You always show great care and understanding with the children and horses. We are looking forward to another fantasic year and hope the community gives these wonderful volunteers their support.
Sharon Trustum
