Letters
Big Brother
After reading Bruce Collings’ tirade (GBW 4/3) against the fitting of security cameras in Commercial Street I can only surmise that he does not live in the township. Nor does he walk the streets and car parks early on a Sunday morning picking up rubbish, cleaning up vomit and, if he is really lucky, finding a used condom. The people who do this cleaning have my thanks.
Neither does he ever look up and see the broken branches of newly planted trees, or the damage done to the hanging baskets. Frankly Mr Collings, I am tired of trying to do my bit to keep Motupipi Street clean during the day and pushing back supermarket trolleys.
Regarding Arthur Clarence’s idea of fencing off the Mardi Gras: from what I saw this year it would appear to be a good idea. I remember over 50 years ago when the police, in a small English town one cold, wet mid-winter night, locked up in a tennis court about 15 louts who were trying to spoil our age-old celebration of burning a fishing boat. The following year we ate our smoked fish with enjoyment, friendship and peace.
John Smith
Food supply
Did anyone else’s alarm bells go off following the reassurance from Fresh Choice in last week’s GB Weekly that food would still be available in their store because luckily the recent Christchurch earthquake didn’t destroy their warehouse? Did anyone else put two and two together having read the splendid letter in glowing praise of Our Community Stall?
I recall images on TV of people in Christchurch getting food from stallholders such as this following the quake, who responded quickly to act in support of the emergency services. I wonder what the petty idiots who try to throw spanners in the works of this outstanding and potentially vital pillar of our community would think of themselves if, God forbid, such a disaster were to happen here? We are constantly at the mercy of physical or financial disasters that could strike at a moment’s notice. Our Community Stall provides the finest natural (uncertified organic) food you could eat bar growing your own, and could play a key role in a crisis. The local heroes who operate and supply it (with the noblest of motives) deserve our fullest support.
Let’s help them grow.
Diamond Steve
Golden Bay Genealogy Group
Family history is a very popular pastime. There are many people in Golden Bay who are actively engaged in researching their past. However, there are not only those who would like to know more about their ancestors and have no idea how to begin, but there are also those who have been working on their research for years and have hit a brick wall.
The Golden Bay Genealogy group would like to invite anyone interested in their family’s past to an open information morning. Three experienced members of the group will be available on Wednesday 16 March between 10am and 12pm in the SeniorNet rooms up at the Recreation Park grounds to help all those who might be interested. We will have the full resources of the group on hand, as well as computers, to offer any advice we can. The SeniorNet rooms are located at the far end of the wooden building used to house the A&P show booths.
Sally Gaffney, secretary Golden Bay Genealogy Group
Symphony of sand passing by us
It appears that residents advocating rocks do not understand the principles of the dune restoration being implored of them. I am sorry there is so much resistance to this form of coastal management.
Natural dune restoration is a win-win approach that has resolved storm damage and sea encroachment problems in other parts of this country and has enhanced the many beaches it has been applied to, enabling continued open access for all. It is an approach that is being applied successfully internationally too. It is encouraged and endorsed by our National Coastal Policy directives formulated with a view to the future as well as meeting the needs of this generation.
Is council going to notify the public of the negotiations about to be conducted regarding the coastal management approach for Pakawau beach, or are rocks going to be consented in discussions behind closed doors solely by those advocating rocks? PS A warm welcome to Christchurch residents staying here.
Stephanie Wilson
