Letters Friday 3 April 2009
The Food Bank needs your help
The Community Workers would like to thank you for your huge response to our request for donations to the Food Bank last summer.
Since Christmas, the Food Bank has helped over 60 families and individuals. Again, we find that our supplies are exhausted, but the need for this assistance is ongoing, even increasing, in these more difficult economic times. Once more we ask for donations, as the Food Bank only continues due to your generous support.
Donations of non-perishable food can be left in the basket at Fresh Choice. Alternatively, excess produce, food or cash donations can be dropped off at the Community Centre. We welcome every contribution. Kia kaha.
Glynn, Sheryl and Premal
GB Community Workers
Puponga Happening
A big thanks to Farewell Gardens Motorcamp at Puponga for a great fun day. Perfect day for kayaking, flax weaving (Maureen Harte), horse trekking, spit tour display and all that lovely food and drink, accompanied by live music from a murmuration of excellent musicians.
Members of the general public were allowed to roam freely around the motor camp. They were even allowed to use the toilets and access the beach. Marvellous. And, wait for it - nothing was stolen! This is an absolute miracle.
First it’s Pohara’s motor camp, now Farewell Gardens Motorcamp; it looks like you guys are starting a movement.
Peter Blasdale, Tukurua resident
Speed limits in the Bay
A 100kmph limit is too high on some parts of the Bay’s windy narrow roads. Paynes Ford, the hill past the Pupu turnoff and around the Mussel Inn are just three examples.
Then again there are straight unpopulated parts of the Collingwood Road with good visibility where 100kmph is reasonable.
Can’t Transit NZ put up “80” speed limit signs in a few of these places where pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders are at serious risk from speeding trucks and cars? Secondly, and on a “self-help” tack, why not develop a Bay bumper sticker that says something like: “Matey 80 - Hurried, Horrid 100. Slow down in the Bay!” And then practice what you preach.
Shaun Norman
Fire-fighting water supply
Is not the rationale for any targeted rate that “Users Pays“: that those who derive the maximum benefit from a council service, pay more than others?
Because that seems reasonable, I find it very difficult to understand why council now proposes to reverse that reasoning.
CBD contributions for the fire-fighting water supply are to drop from 50% to 38%, a drop of 12%. Yet those who live outside the CBD, much further away from the fire station, and who probably are unlikely to gain any significant benefit from a better system, have to pick up the difference. Their “contributions” rise from 23% to 35%, a consequential rise – you’ve guessed it – of 12%. How many of these disadvantaged are retired people living on pensions, who can ill afford existing rates?
So perhaps the council can explain why CBD businesses deserve better than ordinary rate payers?
John Lee
Targeted tourism rate
Further to my letter (GBW 27/3): Thanks to Paul Davis and TDC for their replies.
My concern now is that many of the people/businesses that are being targeted with this proposed rate still do not realise it. The only meeting that will be held with Nelson Tasman Tourism and TDC in Golden Bay is to be on Wednesday 8 April, 10am-noon, Senior Citizens’ Hall, 94 Commercial Street, Takaka. This is to be a question-and-answer session with those involved.
Once again I urge you to check which tier you have been put on and come along and hear what is being proposed and have your say. Submissions on this proposal need to be in by 27 April 2009. TDC will be holding consultation meetings on the 10-year plan in Golden Bay on the same day.
Dianne Holmwood
Musical get-together
Marble Mountain Country Music Club in Takaka is planning a get-together of past members and would like to register if there is interest out there to go ahead with the proposed plans. It is anticipated that this would be held in October, possibly Labour Weekend, and could be a day activity or take in a longer period of time. We would like this weekend to involve all members of the Golden Valley Club, the Marble Mountain Club and the first country music club in Takaka. Please make contact with Judy Ray or Eileen Kumar.
Nancy Ward, president, MMC&W Clubs
75th anniversary
The Uruwhenua Women’s Institute is celebrating its 75th anniversary on 12 May 2009. This will be at the Junction Hotel, starting at 11am with entertainment and a lunch at 12pm. Past members are welcome to join us. Please make contact on 525 9491 or warinton@xtra.co.nz if you would like be part of these celebrations. Share some memories and have a fun day with us.
Nancy Ward
Heritage homes trail
In conjunction with the Collingwood Area School 150th celebrations there will be a trail of heritage homes and places of historic interest in the Collingwood Village.
Several of the heritage homes, such as the old vicarage, Granny Wigzel’s and the Lewis House will again be open to the public, along with sites such as Stallard’s Bakery chimney, which is still standing. The owners have generously offered their houses, particularly to give Collingwood ex-pupils a chance to visit but also anyone who missed the original trail.
The trail runs from 10am-3.00pm on Monday 13 April with tickets $20.00 and all proceeds to Collingwood Playcentre extensions. Tickets and information available from Lynne 524 8272, Carolyn 524 8132, Collingwood Post Shop, CAS reunion registration or the Old Collingwood Post Office on the day.
Carolyn McLellan
Social hockey
Social hockey in Golden Bay has been around for over 20 years. Teams have come and gone, combined and started afresh. Currently there are 5 or 6 mixed teams of varying ages and abilities from the up-and-coming high schoolers to the granddads slogging it out for another year.
Games are played each Saturday morning at Takaka Primary School and usually start after the school holidays (watch for a notice in The GB Weekly). It’s very cheap (around $10) to join a team and new (and really old crusty) players are always welcome. Team uniforms are low-key as well. All you need is a hockey stick (we have spares), a pair of soccer boots (gymshoes at a pinch), a pair of shin pads and a mouth guard. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to ease back into sport if you’ve been sitting back for a few years. So give us a ring if you’d like to know more on 525 6116.
Fleur and Neil Murray
