Letters 7 October
Dogs in Takaka’s CBD
One of the reasons I love living in Golden Bay is the ability of our community to accept and enjoy diversity. Another aspect is the number of people willing to step up “to the mark” and take responsibility for the huge impact we humans have on the environment. Thank you - mussel farmers for fixing the waste twine problem, farmers improving water quality and drivers carefully passing cycles.
There are many responsible dog owners currently breaking the “no dogs in town” rule so they can “walk the block”, go to the supermarket, even for some to get to and from their home or work.
In England – dogs are in buses, in the pub – everywhere. I saw/smelt no dog related problems.
I see men urinating outside pubs, I see broken bottles, I see people spitting, others littering, all tolerated. I’d like the same tolerance shown to dog owners wishing to walk through town legally with their dog - on a lead, with a doo bag.
Let all dog owners step up to the mark to manage their dog well – always clean up. Let respectful sharing remain a hallmark of this community.
Claire Webster (and Flip)
Dogs in Takaka’s CBD (cont)
I love living in Golden Bay. I started life here, my father started Heaphy Honey, and this place is my turangawaewae, my place to stand.
One of the cool things about living in a community for me is the sense that my input makes a difference, so I have something to put forward.
I share my home with the most wonderful, kind “community dog”. Her name’s Maia and she lavishes love upon anyone who needs it. It’s no mistake that Maia’s such a great dog; I invest a lot of time in training her. I’m very responsible with registration and I always carry surplus doggy doo bags. I used to live in ChCh which had a high percentage of dog owners and is a very dog-friendly town, in recognition of the social benefits that dogs bring to communities. I would like to see some progress towards this in my community. And as a small step towards this, I would like to be able to walk through my town with my dog on a leash. In the Wellington CBD dog owners can walk through town, so long as they don’t stop. In Takaka, there’s no legal way for me to walk from my home in Hiawatha Lane, to the other end of town.
I’d like to see this policy amended.
Charlotte Squire
My name is Bill. I regularly walk either one of my human minders, generally in the early morning on weekdays, and on mid-morning Saturdays. Part of my walkies takes me through the CBD but in accordance with current, as I understand it, bylaws I keep my humans on a leash and under control.
This exercise is to keep myself and my humans fit and healthy. I won’t let my humans allow me to “lay a cable” on these walks, but make them carry a plastic bag in case.
The guys at the Fonterra farm crossing sometimes forget to wash down the crossing after the cows have passed over and I don’t like getting contamination on myself. Horses doing their thing on the way to the Showgrounds: what they leave behind is a lot grosser than my efforts and never seen to be picked up.
Disease is a factor but the biggie - hydatids - has largely been eliminated in NZ and was never a problem in Takaka anyway. There is more chance of getting TB through human faeces left behind by the likes of freedom camper carriers defaecating at their now illegal, uncontrolled camp sites.
Leave things as they are; I am sure there are more important issues affecting the CBD and Golden Bay than a wee dog taking his humans for a morning stroll. [abridged]
Jeff Woodward (for Bill the Beagle)
Thought for the day
If voting could really change things, it would be illegal...
Michael Roehrs
Collingwood fireworks display
The annual Collingwood fireworks display usually takes place on Labour Weekend. This choice allows two back up days in the event of poor weather – which are often needed! However, due to a clash with a large international sporting event we will be taking a break this time around and there will be no display.
But never fear, back next year.
Pete Watkins
Kuaka (Bar-tailed Godwit)
While passing Cape Farewell offshore en route to Westport today, it was a delight to have a small group of six kuaka pass low over the ship as they approached the Spit after their epic journey.
Tom Veitch
In defence of .DOC
I’ve noticed lately that some documents received by e-mail won’t open. My trusty computer just doesn’t know what to do. It turns out that Windows 7 has changed the standard document format from .DOC to .DOCX, and now only Windows 7 computers can read each others’ documents.
Well, that’s not quite true, you can upgrade your older computer to read .DOCX, but...
1. The upgrade only works on Windows. (Not on Mac or Linux.)
2. I’ve got Windows 98. – No, sorry, you need XP.
3. Ok, I’ve got XP as well. So I download the upgrade.
4. Eight hours later (on dialup), I’m ready to start.
5. It says “No, sorry, you need Office 2003!”
Or, I could just buy a new Windows 7 computer. “..They’re very affordable and efficient, now, you know...and you’ll look good using one! (And they will very soon be out of date, because we’ll be changing the document format so that you’ll have to upgrade again…)”
The Moral? Everybody, please, change the format of your documents to .DOC before you send them by e-mail. (Just use “Save as:”, choose “.DOC format”, and you’re smiling!)
Albie Burgers
Tai Chi
Are you a trained Tai Chi practitioner? There are lots of requests for more Tai Chi classes in Golden Bay. Assistance is available through the Way2Go programme. Contact me at 525 8876 or 027 669 7142 or recreation@gbcw.co.nz
Dave Myall, GB Recreation & Way2Go co-ordinator
