Letters
The Killers (with apologies to Hemingway)
Time and again, improved cycle- and walk-ways have been among the most popular requests from TDC ratepayers. Several years ago a group of Golden Bay children travelled, in pouring rain, to plead their case for improved cycleways before the council. I was impressed and told them so, but they were largely ignored. What will it take - a death? We’ve had them elsewhere around the country, including a spate of recent killings by drivers who left cyclists’ families bereft just before Christmas.
On Bird’s Hill, thanks to Victoria Davis and others, there are pushbuttons and large flashing signs to warn motorists. But signs can’t keep a killer Kiwi from their mission. This morning (5 Jan) I followed three vehicles uphill behind a cyclist while the sign flashed like blazes. The leading driver, in a beige van, crossed the yellow line to pass just before the blind brow of the hill. The car behind them immediately did the same, even more dangerously, and missed a head-on by less than five seconds. That at least gave the driver of the white ute behind them pause for thought. No it didn’t: that idiot waited until the opposite lane was clear then also crossed the yellow line to pass at the brow. Three killers who missed their victims today by sheer luck, all defying the law, all ignoring a huge sign, all risking the lives of an oncoming driver they couldn’t see and a well-behaved cyclist. For what? It cost less than a minute to follow the cyclist until it was safe to pass.
I hope the three of you see this letter and recognise yourselves. I didn’t get your regos, so your deadly, deliberate, stupid selfishness was worth it. Wasn’t it?
Lloyd Blythen
Charity auction for Search & Rescue
On behalf of the team at Harcourts Golden Bay as well as the Golden Bay Search & Rescue it would be great if people, both locals and holidaymakers, attended our Charity Auction due to take place next weekend at the A&P Show. All funds raised go the Golden Bay Search & Rescue, a very worthy cause.
The auction starts at 10am sharp until 12 noon, and we will be near the rugby clubrooms. All bidders must register prior to bidding (this can be done at our office the week before) and we will accept eftpos or cash. There are some wonderful things going up for sale; all have been kindly donated by local and “over the Hill” businesses and there will be some great bargains. There will also be some “kids only” auctions so that even the little ones can get involved in the fun. We have everything from tanker loads of water (donated by both Fire Brigades), local art (Peter Geen, Sage Cox and Philly Hall to name a few), fresh fish (Talleys and Pursuit Fishing), lovely garden art sculpture (Jennian Homes), 10 people for a day’s labour (Golden Bay Search & Rescue), radio advertising $500 (Radio Nelson), legal fees (Glasgow Harley and McFadden, McMeekan, Philips) and accommodation vouchers (Anatoki Motels, Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, Page’s Beachfront Bach @ Ligar Bay to name a few). There really is something for everyone and we now need you to show up and bid to make this event as successful as the others have been. If you need to know more or want to donate, please contact our office on 525 9950. See you at the show!
Nikki Ryan, Harcourts Golden Bay Team
Arts worker leaves the Bay
During 2010 it has been my pleasure and privilege to hold the position of arts worker for the Golden Bay Community Arts Council. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the council and serving the local arts community in a variety of ways.
It was always my intention to stay in the role for the long term; however, with regret, I am leaving Golden Bay for personal reasons which means resigning from my post effective from this month. I will be capably and seamlessly replaced by the previous arts worker, Lynne Udell, who is to job-share with Kare Grayson. I’m very grateful for the time I’ve spent working alongside this very committed, creative and capable group of people.
The arts council is a real asset to this community, not only for the enviable programme of arts and cultural events that we enjoy every year, but also for its “behind the scenes” support and co-ordination role and commitment to securing funding for arts activities in the Bay. Its volunteer members do all of us proud, and I would like to thank the council, and especially Grant Knowles and Lynne Udell, for their unfailing support and infectious enthusiasm. Thanks and best wishes to you all and to everyone else who I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work with as arts worker. I wish you all a creative and prosperous 2011!
Rebekah Brumwell
Honesty with your children
The time of year, a Pagan solstice celebration, a great time for families and friends to share the gift of spirit. While we make the supposed insanity of some obscure alternative beliefs, we perpetuate the myth of a giant shopping monster, a commercial beast called Father Christmas.
Condemn a Muslim for wearing a veil, then put a fake beard on a fat neighbour and tell your children that it really is reindeer excrement on the roof.
Isn’t it time we celebrate the flower of “love and truth” in our spiritual garden? Love and peace,
BJ White
Horses on roads
There are probably more than 500 horses in Golden Bay, and some of us need to ride them on the roadside to get to where we are going. Horses have full rights to share the road, but there are dangers involved: a frightened horse is an unpredictable, quick-as-lightning 500+kg missile.
So please take care when passing horses. People carrying loads on their utes, towing trailers or boats often forget about the flapping bags, flags, tarps and other weird stuff back there, but those can really upset even an experienced horse. If you see a rider indicating with their hand please take it seriously: SLOW DOWN, and pass wide.
Interestingly, I have found that the ones most likely to ignore requests are older folk, the ones you would think might know better, whereas the “boy racers” are likely to slow down and give us a much-appreciated friendly wave.
Our local commercial operators also deserve a thank you – Solly’s, Fonterra and Chambo’s Diggers are some of the ones who are never in too much of a hurry to make safety and courtesy a priority. Safe holidays to all.
Rita Virtama
Community emailing list
In the wake (literally) of the recent flooding and subsequent clean-up and recovery at Aorere and Ferntown, I’m reminding people that they can be kept updated on such events through my council and community emailing list. As councillors, Noel and I get fairly early notification of such things as Civil Defence warnings so it can be helpful to just have that little bit of extra time to know what is coming. With so many sub-communities in the Bay we often don’t know what’s really happening outside our own little worlds, and following a disaster or important event it’s the local networking that is most effective. This is also a forum for you to pass on any information about what is happening in your neck of the woods to the rest of Golden Bay – the good stuff too! I love the immediacy of email, and although it is not always available in an emergency, it’s another avenue for our wider community to stay connected and share information. Send an email to: martine.goldenbay@xtra.co.nz
Martine Bouillir
Dr Eastman ceases practice in Golden Bay
It is a great pity that Dr Eastman is ceasing to practise medicine in Golden Bay. The community has now lost the services of an exemplary practitioner and many of his patients feel this keenly. It is a shame that contractual and other extraneous circumstances have contributed to this situation. Our thanks go out to Dr Eastman for his straightforwardness, professionalism and excellent care over many years. He will be missed.
Keith Orr and Tina Janson
Ballroom Cave
The 4WD vehicle access track to the Ballroom Cave has been regraded and is now suitable for 4WD vehicles.
Those of us who entertain visitors and offer 4WD excursions can now offer another sightseeing activity that is “free” to enjoy. Golden Bay is known for the many wonderful activities and destinations that are free to be enjoyed; however this track will need ongoing maintenance that should not be at the taxpayers’ expense. To this effect it has been suggested that tourist operators who take advantage of this access be invited to make donations for this purpose. Those of us who charge a fee for sightseeing trips, and other guided tours, may like to add a suggested fee of $5 per head to go up this track. This fee can be deposited in a special account at the Takaka BNZ, called “the 4WD account” or the box at the visitor centre in town.
If you have a 4WD vehicle, enjoy this opportunity to go and see the cave, and the wonderful views from the hill.
Reg Turner
Cabaret in the Cave
Following the success of February 2010’s Cabaret in the Cave, we are planning 2011’s event to happen on Sunday 20 February. It will be a wonderful outing, including a picnic with live music, walk to Ballroom cave and an hour-long cabaret show, featuring dance, music, circus acts, storytelling, theatre and more.
This is a free event open to all, however we will need some donations/ sponsors in order to cover costs, advertising, transport, lighting, and most importantly payment for the artists involved. Any offers of financial support or goods/services that could be raffled to raise money for the event would be most appreciated. We aim to raise at least $1,000.
I would also love to hear from people who wish to be involved on the day, helping to set up and take part in the event. We hope to have even more of a pioneer theme this time, to make it a blast from our past - all welcome to get involved. Phone 525 8771.
Hera Livingston, event co-ordinator
Weather woes
Having put up with mayhem, muppets and drongoes all day, it was lovely to partake of a feast, delivered by saints and angels and donated by the greater caring community. My heartfelt thanks to all those who put in the effort to get the tucker out there, and to those “in the paddock” toiling.
Let’s not worry about all the “dumb tax” that will be our burden yet to come eh!
Red Westrupp
2012
What previously resembled a eunuch with coffee table qualities, the very old walnut tree where I live, having never borne more than three nuts, is suddenly inundated with thousands. Is this an example of the cosmic shift our latté-drinking sidewalk-philosophers’ talk?
Or will this just be a “good year for nuts”? Love and peace.
BJ White
A message for parents
It’s time for parents and their young people to work together regarding the current and future wellbeing of our young people.
Parents: you have a duty of care to look after your kids and their guests who are partying at your place.
Make sure you communicate with the other parents.
Be responsible around under-age drinking
Make sure you are aware where your kids stay and check what they tell you is correct.
There is some party-crashing happening at the moment and very young kids’ parents may not know where their children are.
To the younger people of the Bay:
Show responsibility towards your mates and have the guts to talk to them about the dangers of consuming too much alcohol.
If your friends or anyone you see has gone into a coma you need to call 111 immediately. You don’t want to attend their funeral.
If you think you can’t talk to your parents about your concerns, find someone you trust to talk to.
There is also the “What’s – up” phone line: 0800 Whatsup, a professional telephone counselling service for young people between 5 and 18, or Lifeline for anyone, ph 0800 543 354. Both operate 24 hours a day.
Wishing you a safe and happy holiday.
Golden Bay Community Workers
Consultation by Tasman District Council
Public consultation with locals in planning stages saves time, money and angst. Locals want inclusion. Disagreements can be scotched by discussion, explanation. Ratepayer input could suggest better models.
When concerns are expressed, acting promptly and reiterating back your grasp of the situation allows complainants to feel understood. This encourages a co-operative spirit to be followed up by constructive solutions that engender trust in the system.
If staff make a mistake, it is a strength to admit to that, thus displaying honest communication. These are people skills that build goodwill. One should expect these as a matter of course from local government. It isn’t rocket science.
Where it has happened, eg CBD business owners meeting with the engineers about pipe installation during the holiday season, the good will created was palpable.
Communication breakdowns tend to happen over bigger issues, but I suspect they become bigger issues because consultation hasn’t occurred.
Mayor Kempthorne stated his determination for transparency and cooperation. I’ll be hoping for a better-informed community as a result.
Karen Brookes,
Golden Bay Community Board member
