Letters to Editor 17 April
Integrated Health Services Project
I wish to voice some of my concerns about the Integrated Health Services Project.
Less than 20 years ago a modern purpose-built community hospital was erected and now appears to be obsolete, so a “modern purpose-built facility” is being planned and a new site is considered the best option. Who is likely to buy the three obsolete buildings in the middle of a world recession? It is important we all learn to live within our means and I believe it makes sense to upgrade what we already own. Private investors will wish to see a substantial return on their money and nobody has yet told us who will be paying the rent.
It is not the facility that will attract doctors, but wages that are high enough to compete with Australia’s. If health professionals are willing, there is nothing to stop them collaborating now considering the amount of communication technology available.
Lastly, having all the facilities on one spot will decrease the number of people able to get help in an emergency, with those north of the Takaka River being most affected.
Stefan Waldner
Multipurpose facility
Observe the bubbles of excitement and apprehension surrounding the TDC “facility fund”. Apparently, if Golden Bay does not spend allocated funds, some other town will get the dough. Oh no! Quick! Better think of something - anything!
Perhaps another art, um, facility. Perhaps a tourist conference/toilet/souvenir facility. No, too gaudy. Perhaps something more utilitarian. Put the money into our prospective health facility or our existing education facilities? Those things benefit us all and are constantly squeezed for cash. But no, too dull, too ordinary. Boooring.
Aha! I have it now! The correct facility is a corrections facility! Catchy, don’t ya think? I know last century these were called jails, but corrections facility sounds so much cooler. So, what we need is a jail. A jail fits the facility requirement (big fancy new thing) and could make us a fat profit (bread and water, no TV). In addition, a neighbourhood jail would depress our property values; lowering our rates bills. To top it off, a jail would create many new jobs, mostly in the correcting and facilitating areas. I’ve always fancied being the head boss facilitator of a corrections facility.
Win - win - win - win all round.
Jaywyn “The Trousers” Riley
Creating a culture of people buying into stuff they don’t really need is good business sense. This business face has a smirk of goodwill intentions, as it dangles big carrots to attract those pliable folk who seem to nod their heads loyally, like toy pets in the back of car windows.
A lot of locals councils in New Zealand become corporate bodies. I like some things about TDC that improve the quality of life in our big picture. There there are force-fed discords that belittle my trust.
Do we really need a new multipurpose recreational and cultural centre or not?
Golden Bay community is being led to believe we have a choice. Here’s the kicker. If we don’t choose “yes”, we can’t have the money to spread around Golden Bay settlements and repair, improve or expand existing social and cultural facilities, or even build a few more small things like a youth centre. Let’s make a success of the network and stuff we already have around the Bay, during global hard times caused by trendy over-extending debt managers.
Apparently the money can only be spent on one new thing. There’s something very manipulative about our democratic choice here. On this principal alone I voted “no”, wrong way to respect my choice - why? What do you vote for?
Chris Finlayson
Tourism rate
I have just received a letter from the chief executive of Nelson Tasman Tourism (NTT), which means that I may have to pay 19.6% of my gross earnings to NTT for marketing. Yet NTT provides nothing to show that this new marketing may attract more tourists.
The chair, NTT also admitted that, “Our operating loss at $66,309 while lower than budgeted last financial year ($85,052) exceeded budget by $29,186” and “ …the Company is required to report on its operations for the year by 30 September. This deadline was not achieved for the 2008 year.” [Latest Annual Report 2008]
So what hope for benefits for tourism from any extra ‘granted’ by TDC through a targeted rate?
John Lee
The proposed tourism levy is grossly unfair and will likely be the demise of the Golden Bay Promotion Association, as most operators in Golden Bay are small and will not be able to afford fees for both.
It would be wiser to invest money here, making Golden Bay a more attractive destination by providing cycle lanes, instead of paying for big ads in the Sydney Herald to market Golden Bay. The discerning traveller will read about us in travel guides. We need to protect our points of difference and keep Golden Bay a desired place to live and visit.
Please make your submission before April 27 to TDC rejecting this over-the-Hill-initiated tourism levy. You may want to ask again for proper cycle lanes, not just another wider road with dangerous ditches and that TDC-favoured 100kmph traffic.
Victoria Davis
Property owners beware. I am informed that the tourism levy is to be invoiced to the owner of the premises in which a tourism business operates. It is assumed the building owner will pass on the costs via rent or lease changes to the tenant. In other words, someone who has nothing to with tourism will be billed by the council as part of the rates process (because TDC can’t or won’t find a better way to do it) and is then expected to cover the time and money involved in negotiating and changing rental agreements. Assuming of course that the property owner is able to affect such a change.
If a business is mobile (eg a coffee cart, market stall) or from out of the district (eg an internet booking service which clips the ticket) it cannot be rated by TDC.
Divisive and unfair.
Pete Watkins
Ed. Submissions to TDC’s draft Ten Year Plan (which includes the tourism rate) close on 27 April 2009.
Skeet Barnett
Regarding the article on Skeet Barnett (GBW 9/4) where he said he had no idea where the name Skeet came from. As “a bit older” pupil of the East Takaka School with quite a good memory, I remember those early days. On 5 February 1935 Lawrence started school. He was small in stature and would dart around the playground. Someone likened him to a mosquito and the name stuck and got shortened to Skeeter, so he’s had the nickname most of his life. Happy Birthday, Skeeter.
Beryl Rogers
I was delighted to read your article on Skeet Barnett (GBW 27/4) having lived about half-a-mile from him when he was just a kid. We attended the same school and being five years his elder, I found it necessary to guide him and train him in so many aspects of life (grin).
Skeet’s mother and mine always seemed to be competing as to who would have their washing on the line first on a Monday morning. We could see each other’s homes at a distance.
Skeet was named after his Dad, Skeeter Barnett.
I was a little disturbed that I did not receive an invitation to Skeet’s 80th birthday, but once past 80 I do realise that the memory tends to become a little befuddled. Congratulations, Skeet, and may you have many more. All the best,
Pete Lewis
Ontario, Canada
Ed. A reminder that our articles, letters, police report and fortnightly columns are at <www.gbweekly.co.nz>.
Children’s clothing and toy sale
It’s on again. Golden Bay Toy Library will be having its six-monthly second-hand clothing, book and toy sale on Saturday 9 May at the Senior Citizens’ Hall, starting at 9am. Our aim is to help people buy and sell items cheaply and quickly. This is an alternative to TradeMe right here in the Bay and it’s a lot cheaper to take part. You drop off your items and we sell them on the day for only $4 all up, (not per item). We cater for all kids’ items up to teenagers. So spend a couple of hours over the next few weeks having a sort out and make yourself a few dollars. Anything from trikes to t-shirts. For further information please phone me on 525 6116.
Fleur Murray, Golden Bay Toy Library
Fresh FM survey
If you’d like to have your say about your local radio station Fresh FM, we’re always keen to hear. Right now is a great time as Fresh FM is running a survey on its website <www.freshfm.net> and it only takes a few minutes. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can get a copy from Fresh FM Takaka’s studio or from the Takaka library. Fresh FM’s Takaka studio is behind the Golden Bay Workcentre in Commercial Street (525 8779). If you can’t receive Fresh FM there’s even more reason to fill in the survey and let us know you’d like to tune in, but you can’t. Try Fresh FM 104.8 Golden Bay Tasman, 95.2 Eastern Takaka, or we livestream on our website.
Paddy Brennan, Takaka co-ordinator
