Letters
New monthly reading group
Stuck in a rut with your reading? Listlessly browsing the shelves? In decline because Steig Larsson will never write another book? We have just the thing to liven up your literary life – Takaka Library’s new monthly Book Group, starting Tuesday 29 March at 1.30pm.
We aim to make it a lively hour… full of fun and discussion. It’s a group for all people and all tastes, to evolve as its members choose, but the general idea is that we won’t read the same book at the same time. Instead, we’ll roam around the library, move between fiction, non-fiction into poetry and picture books for a change and maybe throw in the challenge of a graphic novel or reading something right outside your square. We could pick a theme, a genre or an author for the month, or swap favourite books: the possibilities are endless (just like books). You’ll also be able to choose from a selection of our newest books.
So if you’re keen to widen your horizons, call Tish or Margie 525 0059, or turn up on the day, ready to read.
Tish Potter, Takaka Library
Big Brother
I despise the mindless vandalism and misbehaviour described by John Smith (GBW 4/3) and would be delighted to see such perpetrators horsewhipped. Surveillance cameras may, to my mind, be less effective than a visible, physical police presence during times of potential disruption. Unfortunately that might mean police officers working antisocial hours, possibly late nights walking dark streets; inevitably reducing the hours they could spend on daytime, car-cruising fine collection.
We already pay heavily for the police force through taxation and I do not consider it reasonable for police equipment to be added to our ever-expanding rate burden without discussion – unless the recorded information is in the public domain.
To observe and track every law-abiding ratepayer 24x7x365 (at our expense) because a tiny minority of scallywags sometimes do horrible things, seems a sad reflection of what our society has become.
The police force and the TDC are funded from the public purse. They enjoy their salaried, superannuated lifestyles at our expense but they do not act as if they are public servants or uphold my notion of governance of the people: by the people, for the people.
Bruce Collings
2010 Ligar Bay board recommendations
The 22 February 2010 Golden Bay Community Board recommendations on Ligar Bay baches were addressed to “the mayor and councillors of Tasman District Council”. This was because it is the responsibility of elected members to set and review council policy (“governance”). It is the role of staff to put polices into action (“management”).
Despite the address, it appears that the board recommendations were not made available to elected members by staff until they became part of the agenda for the 3 February 2011 TDC engineering services committee meeting. Because the board recommendations were included in the agenda for an “open meeting” their confidential status was removed.
The TDC link to the recommendations is: http://www.tasman.govt.nz/council/council-meetings/standing-committees-meetings/engineering-services-committee-meetings/?path=/EDMS/Public/Meetings/EngineeringServicesCommittee/2011/2011-02-03. Then click on “Resc-11-02-07-Ligar Bay baches-ATTACHMENT2 (pdf, 90KB)”
A copy of the 3 February 2011 engineering committee agenda is also held at the Golden Bay Service Centre. To ensure accuracy of understanding, interested persons are urged to read the carefully considered 2010 board recommendations in full context.
Joe Bell
Motorcycle rally in Collingwood
The Nelson Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Club . We are having our 30th anniversary Rally at Collingwood on the weekend of 18 to 20 March.
Open to all motorcycles over 25 years old. $63 includes rally fee, Saturday evening meal and Sunday breakfast at the Collingwood tavern. Rally entrants book their own accommodation.
More info on www.itson.co.nz/2011/1575-nelson-classic-vintage-mootcycle-club-30th-rally <http://www.itson.co.nz/2011/1575-nelson-classic-vintage-mootcycle-club-30th-rally>.
We plan to have two rides on the Saturday 19 and then arrive back at Collingwood main street at 4pm where the motorcycles will be available for public viewing until 5.30pm.
Peter Wood,
president, Nelson Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Club
Being prepared
MAD as I am, speaking my truth in this crazy world, it seems I’m before and after my time. Oh well, times are a-changing for both better and worse. Whatever happens in our lives is always meant for our spiritual growth -- we’re our own personal conductors to our worldly orchestra.
When in such a deep spiritual sleep, we’ll need a shake-up to wake up to ourselves. Like others, I foresaw the two Christchurch shakes beforehand. Flying to Wellington last November, through my third eye I saw that surf was up in Nelson shortly after the March full moon/equinox, with TDC evacuating. In Wellington, the wave flushed the monkeys out of the Beehive, which was fired up in hot air.
Recently trimming a tree rooted deep in the rock for a better vision for the Bay, I foresaw an 8.5 RS quake around 6pm between Wellington and Nelson. Now it’s 22 March I’ve just arrived home from WOMAD prepared. My healthy ute is up in the quarry. I’m well stocked, as is Our Community Stall, with bluetac in place.
Where will you be, home watching the 6 o’clock news, the sunflares or your domestic animals’ behaviours? Whatever... listen intuitively to yourselves, not me or media.
NgAngA
Democratic schooling public meeting
There will be a public meeting at the Community Centre on Friday 18 March at 7pm. The main purpose of the meeting is to inform people of what the core group discovered as a result of their research of democratic education. It is also an opportunity for those interested to show support for a democratic school in Golden Bay. Everyone is welcome.
If anyone has a letter of support for a democratic School in Golden Bay they can do so online at www.democraticschoolgoldenbay.info. Alternatively, letters can be taken to the Dangerous Kitchen or mailed to 130 Rangihaeata Rd. Thank you.
Rae McDowell
Did you steal my wallet?
This letter is to the person who stole my wallet from the green van behind the high school last Thursday.
I’ve been wondering about you and what, if anything, you feel taking a wallet with special sentimental value to me and all the credit cards and licences and stuff you can’t use and which I now must replace. And all you got was $15. Do you know about karmic implications of actions? Will your children learn to steal from you (because of course this isn’t your first time)? You are welcome to the money and more if you are in that serious financial need. But the wallet was special to me and I doubt you’ll use it. So if you’ve still got it please drop it at any public place. I appreciate it. God bless and one more thing: your theft from me won’t stop me from leaving my car open as I’ve done for 15 years here in beautiful Golden Bay.
Bruce Dooley
Earthquake victim grateful for Golden Bay refuge
Although I love my hometown Christchurch, arriving in Golden Bay after the February 22 earthquake, it felt like leaving hell and entering heaven.
I was with my elderly mother in Sumner when the earthquake hit and after realising that her apartment building had been hit pretty hard, I bundled her in the car and drove around falling boulders to my home in Heathcote. My home wasn’t there any more. All that was left standing were parts of the wooden frame. It took me hours to find my husband Gerald and family, and I don’t think I have recovered yet from the terror and grief of that day.
So when my dear friends, the Brays of Ligar Bay, offered us temporary accommodation at one of the Ligar Bay baches, my husband and I put our mothers on flights to stay with family elsewhere and we arrived in the Bay.
Everyone was so welcoming and understanding. Lesley Bray and her sister Val Parker had made the bach up to be so homely. The Lunns down the road arrived with vegetables, as did Neil and Marg. Sally and Bruce Ansley arrived with hugs and clothes. Bruce Parker lent us things from his house. Janey Makey gave me some of her new shoes! Takaka Library gave me free temporary membership. Anthea from WINZ has been very helpful, as has the Takaka Quake Centre.
The list goes on and on and I’m just so grateful that not only is Golden Bay a restful and healing environment, but also its community goes that extra mile to help out those who have been affected by the earthquake. So to everyone: thank you, we are so grateful.
Liz Smyth
