Letters
Takaka sewerage scheme
Tasman District Council engineer Jeff Cuthbertson is absolutely right when he says: “Whenever you go to build a new sewage facility everybody says, ‘Not over there’ and ‘not by me’.” (The Nelson Mail 13/11)
So why on earth is the council currently considering building an extended sewerage plant near the biggest concentration of population in Golden Bay, on the western edge of Takaka? This must not happen.
We ask the council to scrap the proposed site, just 300 metres from homes, and consider a location further away from town.
The council’s proposal was bound to be opposed by every Takaka resident who could be affected. The council must listen to the people on this issue.
Support for our petition against this unacceptable location is growing every day. By Monday 157 people had signed it. Copies of the petition are available to sign at Golden Bay Organics and Harcourts, Takaka.
Rudolf Samper and Hayley Gale
Bay Art Exhibition
Every visit to Golden Bay offers a new treat to experience. In our latest visit, Bay Art provided that treat with the diversity in art form showcasing the great talent in the Bay.
The Young @ Art showed the Bay can be assured of continuing excellence in future Bay Art exhibitions, although it was disappointing to find the work of these young artists in a small space, making viewing less than ideal. Finding an appropriate location and setting up an exhibition of such diversity is clearly no easy task. However I would implore those responsible to consider giving their young artists less cramped exhibiting space in the future. This would surely demonstrate their commitment to these talented young people and allow them to feel valued in an art community of excellence.
Ellen L McCrae
Community Service Vehicle Trust
At a recent meeting it was decided that the income of the Community Service Vehicle Trust needed to be reviewed.
Those members who wish to use the trust transport for medical appointments in Nelson will be expected to give a minimum donation of $30. This increase is needed to cover the big increase in the cost of fuel, GST and running costs. It now costs over $80 for each trip to Nelson, so the minimum donation has to be raised to maintain the present service offered.
The trust vehicle travelled over 30,000km in the last year, and with a minimum donation of $20 per person we are not getting enough income to cover expenses and depreciation.
We welcome new members to join the trust at a cost of $15 per member, per year. This fee should be paid at least a week prior to any request for transport. Our rules state that we will only assist financial members, and a week is needed to process membership.
The trust is in a reasonably sound financial position but needs to build up funds for vehicle replacements in the future.
Mr John Barraclough has been appointed as a trustee and Gary Milham has resigned as he has left the district.
Roy Reid
Celebrating Farewell Spit and Golden Bay Art
Great appreciation to the Farewell Spit artists for the beauty, depth, and variety of their creativity on display at Motupipi Hall. Congratulations to all for imaginative use of the hall space for the exhibition and opening last Saturday. I enjoyed how each visual artist’s display reflected their unique interpretation of Nature at the Spit, wonderful evidence of both individual self-expression and collaboration to create a cohesive whole (never an easy balance to achieve).
The opening was a pleasure on many levels, from the works themselves, to the privilege of talking with the artists, enjoying good food and conversation with friends, and immersing all my senses in the energy of Farewell Spit.
I was deeply moved by Em’s poetry and its sensitive presentation, with Rudolf’s delightful piano accompaniment. The silence and rapt interest of everyone present, throughout the reading, attested to the emotionally evocative power of spoken words and music, which reading even the finest poetry silently to oneself can never equal. This one-off performance complemented the diverse and fascinating visual art displays, to create a highly polished, memorable, multi-sensory experience and a unifying community event which reminded me, once again, how much I love living in Golden Bay.
Lethea Erz
Ed. The exhibition is at Motupipi Hall, 10am-4pm until Sunday 21 November.
Corrections
SeniorNet Golden Bay welcomes the recent article on its activities but wishes to point out an error. Courses with SeniorNet are not free. A typical eight-hour course costs $20 total, which covers all materials. Our fellowship, advice and clubs are free to paid-up members.
In last week’s GB Weekly the photo taken up the Cobb which accompanied the U3A article should have been credited to Pam Pruden, and not Gerard Hindmarsh as indicated.
Brian Dodds’ website was spelled incorrectly. It should have been www.fullregeneration.com
