Letters
Motorcycle riding
I would like to clarify the activity of Nelson Motorcycle Club Inc in Golden Bay.
NMCC does not control or operate any motorcycle riding areas in Golden Bay. We host two events per year in this area, one in Kaihoka and one in Motupipi. They are run in accordance with our national sporting organisation requirements.To say we have a controlling interest in council decisions is untrue. We have been involved in discussions with landowners, residents and council representatives. This is a responsible process and could enable all parties to find a solution. Some councillors may support motorcycle riding and why not? It’s a great sport.
We are not a large self-interest group. Anybody involved with a club would agree that only a busy small group within our club have any interest at all. Anybody looking to create election issues should obviously get their facts right before public comment.
Simon Routledge for NMCC
Community groups on TDC-owned land
I’m wondering how many more community groups who have buildings on council land are unaware the council no longer covers the insurance on these buildings.
The Takaka Drama Society committee thought the council was responsible for insuring The Playhouse building, but during an exercise to reinsure our contents we discovered the council no longer does this. The council used to cover the building insurance. When we signed our new lease in 2008 we were unaware the lease had been changed. In the middle of one of the clauses it now states we are to be responsible for insuring the buildings.
We have rung a couple of other groups we knew of and they still thought the council was covering the insurance on their buildings as well. We were shocked and horrified that the council had not bothered to draw this change to our attention as the potential ramifications are quite scary, particularly in light of the Canterbury quakes. So any other groups out there with a council lease, I suggest you check the fine print and, if necessary, get some insurance on your building.
Anita Hutchinson, president,Takaka Drama Society
Misinformation
I have been made aware of misinformation that is being repeated throughout the township. I want the people of Golden Bay to know that I have never said, nor have I thought, that the Takaka township should be relocated to the residential/recreational area at Park Avenue. I refute the suggestion on these grounds:
If I did have such an agenda, why would I work hard for Takaka to have a new library?
Why would Noel Riley and myself have spent such a lot of time convincing council that the Takaka CBD needed fire-fighting protection?
Why would I bother putting hanging baskets throughout the township?
Why would I be encouraging flood protection for the township?
The list goes on! I reiterate the words in my flyer, “I’ll continue to support further development of the township; I see it as a real treasure.”
Stuart Borlase, candidate for Golden Bay Ward,
Tasman District Council elections
Joan Whiting Rest Home
We really don’t know how to say a big-enough “thank you” to all the wonderful people of Golden Bay and beyond who forced the politicians to act and keep the Joan Whiting afloat until integration.
We have no doubt that without your overwhelming support and huge pressure from the media the Joan Whiting would have closed on November 30, leaving the Bay with nowhere for our old folk.
Now we are embarked on a new phase of the journey; keeping the Joan Whiting going as the warm and loving environment it’s always been; and preparing to take that very special environment into the new facility in Takaka when integration takes place.
Joan Whiting Rest Home trustees,
Christopher Mitson, Kris Campbell, Heather Cole, Pete Watkins, Karen Cooper, Willie Kooistra, Rosamund Arthur
Golden Bay - Good on Yah!We stood together, loudly, and we were heard. We got lucky, too. Integrated family health centres are Tony Ryall’s baby; Auchinvole’s seat is marginal and National needs it; and old men’s tears falling and old ladies’ fists held high make grand press.At the Takaka Primary School public meeting on 26 April 2010, though many had reservations, others embraced the plans and promises of the Interim Management Group, which said the case was “robust” and its concept the “only way.” We would have it in 18 months. Since then, the IMG continued “commercially sensitive” secret meetings. It recently announced (GBW 10/9) that the Joan Whiting debacle was “tragic” and that it still has no money, no approvals, no resource consents, and that locals could donate money, goods and services. Then, after funds are secured and approvals granted, we could have it in 18 months. Why didn’t the IMG save the rest home? Robust what?
The people rallied. Our shrill protest did the job that baffled the IMG. Ironically, we may have saved the entire integration project. Tony Ryall stepped in, offered sponsorship, hammered out agreement with the NMDHB, and demanded completion in 18 months.
There remain many concerns. We may have to mobilise our troops again. There will be a crippling mortgage, which no amount of protest can alleviate. What do we think of a targeted rate?
Vic Eastman
Congratulations to everyone in Golden Bay who helped save Joan Whiting.We can now look forward to our new integrated health facility, but I think choosing to site it at the hospital is a really bad decision.
Am I the only person who chose to live in Takaka because I could be handy to the medical centre, schools and shops and wouldn’t have to rely on a car? Who has an elderly mother who chose to live within walking distance from the medical centre yet still be close enough should she be unable to drive, to use a mobility scooter to get to the shops so that she can maintain her independence? Am I the only parent whose teenager enjoyed the independence and freedom of being able to take herself to the doctor from school? Are we really going to be the only town that has its medical centre 5km from its centre?
Let’s get it right while we still can!
Marlene Alach
Stoat trappers request help
Some readers may have seen a notice in The GB Weekly about the forthcoming AGM of the Friends of the Cobb (12.30pm, Thursday 7 October, Mussel Inn). Friends of the Cobb is a group of volunteers who aim to enhance the birdlife and environment of the Cobb Valley and upper Takaka Valley for the benefit of present and future generations. We maintain over 400 stoat traps which are monitored monthly through the summer. If you would like to help, are reasonably fit and have the time to join us for a couple of times or so in the mountains, please get in touch. Come along to the AGM, email foc@clear.net.nz or ring Chris at 525 8154. Thank you.
Chris Petyt
Wood raffles
Golden Bay Lions would sincerely like to thank our community for supporting us with our wood raffles during the year. Many deserving people and organisations have been helped by your generosity. This Friday, outside Take Note, a raffle to help Christchurch earthquake victims is being held, along with sales of pickled onions and oriental lilies for fundraising. Thank you one and all.
Julie Langford, secretary
