Letters Friday 26 May 2011
Integrated Health Centre design
Twelve of the proposed 17 rooms overlook a small internal courtyard and each other with no other external prospect. In winter the courtyard will be damp and slippery. There is nowhere for the residents to walk, except a corridor that surrounds the nursing home area, which even worse is also access for the hospital’s utilities and service areas which are proposed to be built at the back of the nursing home.
There was a small area designated Allied Health. Golly, I thought, that’s a small area for physios, social workers, pukenga atawhai, occupational therapists, chaplains and other visiting specialists, but I was advised that there were plenty of rooms that could be used. I thought of the reality of professional egos and how, in hospitals, doctors get the best rooms and the others become discontented fighting over the rest, but perhaps this wouldn’t happen in Golden Bay.
I think that the proposed nursing home wing ought to be swapped with the general practice wing. With a few strokes of a pencil and changes in access areas and driveways, the residents of the nursing home could have rooms with views and places to walk and enjoy their older years. They would be stimulated by seeing the children coming and going from the school and the various visitors and activities that take place around a health service – it might even feel like being part of the community.
Wendy Croft, (retired older persons’ clinical psychologist and possible future nursing home resident)
Free publicity for clubs and organisations
We will print free ads for clubs and organisations for the next two weeks in our Physical Activities column. Bowls, rugby, badminton, squash, golf, etc. Please provide: name of organisation or club, contact person and phone number, cost to join, days/times if pertinent. We will abridge your information if necessary. Please ensure that only one person provides the information and that it is accurate.
When your club or organisation has an AGM we will print your new officers and committees. Please ensure that spelling is correct and email details to us: gbweekly@ihug.co.nz
Marg Braggins, manager
Going Through the Motions
We had a chance to get it right
to keep “behaviour” in our sight
but staff sought an easy way
and staff, as usual, held the sway.
For the servants are in full control
when elected members fail their role
looking for an easy ride
behind the staff they seek to hide.
The submission process was a scam
the carrot of “hope” a hopeless sham
for all submissions were ignored
change to staff view is deplored.
The law was passed with 4 opposed
“flexible enforcement” is proposed
setting all parties up to fail
“blind eye turned?” or “off to jail?”
Scouts, guides, territorials too
need a certified vehicle in which to poo
“flexibility” in enforcement isn’t fair
“compliant or not” is the fact that’s there
This by-law is a horrid crock
the notion of “freedom” a soul-less mock
it shows a lack of faith and trust
for successful community these are a must.
Where is the representation residents need?
for councillors shoal behind the servant’s lead
unthinking acceptance of their word
and “freedom camping” became absurd.
We need to find a better way
Tasman mayor and councillors have had their day
Commissioners needed to get us back on track
to find common sense our reps so sadly lack.
Joe Bell
Motocross noise
Ed. This subject is closed again for correspondence.
Rates
I agree with Joe Bell about not wanting to pay ever higher rates, (GBW 20/5), but Golden Bay rates are roughly on a par with other areas.
I remember my own experience of running a business; we started out in a lock-up garage, and our few clients made do with the rather average facilities that we had. We decided to borrow a lot of money, built a better facility and gave our customers a much better service. Yes, our business was highly geared, but we serviced our loans and provided a better service to more people. That is how you improve infrastructure. If you tried to raise the money before you developed the premises, road, facility, whatever, it would never happen.
$3.4M is an eightieth of $270M, a very small portion of the predicted TDC debt. It would be nice if some of TDC’s money was spent in Golden Bay, and not over the Hill. At least then we would have something to show for our rates bill.
We now have a wonderful library (remember the fuss over that?). Soon we will have a decent health centre. All that’s missing is a multi-function centre!
Bjarne’s joke about “as many as half of the population of Golden Bay” not being in favour of this project (GBW 20/5) is very funny, when his own snap poll concluded that 70% were indeed in favour of a “new multi-purpose cultural and recreational facility” (his words). What overpriced academic research study did that one come from?
Peter Blasdale
Prospecting for oil and coal
Most people in Golden Bay will know that there is a mining company (Greywolf Resources) seeking permits to prospect for oil over 11,060 sqkm off our coast and investigate coal resources over nearly 250 sqkm of land in Golden Bay.
Some people will think these activities could be good for Golden Bay because there may be some jobs and port development if it goes ahead, and there are some others who have investigated the proposals quite closely and have grave concerns about allowing these activities to take place in and around Golden Bay.
On Friday 3 June, the day before Queen’s Birthday weekend, a public meeting is being called by a coalition of groups who are opposed to extraction of oil and coal in Golden Bay. It will be held at 7.30pm at the Golden Bay High School hall. There will be several invited guests with expertise present and an illustrated commentary from Craig Potton. All opinions expressed by residents will be treated with respect and information sharing on the subject valued. This is an opportunity for Golden Bay residents to learn more, have a say, and decide whether to take action.
Jo-Anne Vaughan on behalf of the group
Freedom camping
Formaldehyde is no longer used in chemical toilet chemicals. All my sources confirm it has not been used for at least 10 years. Lewis Gray, a major New Zealand manufacturer, has not used it for 20 years. Medsafe list it as a controlled chemical and there is only one product registered in New Zealand for sale, and it is an external ointment. OSH has controls on its manufacture and they do not list toilet chemicals in their schedule of uses in manufacture. I am not aware of any camping retailers who stock any, from observation and a survey I did.
Heavy metals do not exist in chemical toilet chemicals. Heavy metals are also controlled by legislation for public safety, and there is no way “toxic heavy metal sludges” can have any relevance to chemical toilet usage. From my knowledge chemical toilet chemicals fall into three categories.
1. Simple organic chemicals that break down easily and are suitable for septic tanks and sewage systems. 2. Eco chemicals, which rather than treat the solids, encourage its natural breakdown. 3. Zero chemical systems - very common in newer motor vans and cost effective - which pass air under slight pressure over the holding tank and encourage natural breakdown using oxygen.
Paul Marcussen (retired pharmaceutical chemist)
Ageing in Place research
Golden Bay Workcentre Trust wishes to thank The GB Weekly for their report about the Ageing in Place research (GBW 13/5). The Workcentre is pleased to have been successful in obtaining this grant as the Ageing in Place research will add to our knowledge base and efforts to keep and improve Golden Bay as a good place to get old.
Alli Gardener
Manager - Golden Bay Workcentre Trust
Murray Horton of CAFCA speaking in Takaka
Sovereignty means freedom from outside interference and the right to self-government. The mission of Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa is to protect NZ assets against foreign domination to enable NZers to retain control of our destiny. NZ companies and assets are sold offshore, exploited for profits and assets then discarded, in a relentless takeover of businesses and land by rapacious transnational corporations, with compliance of media and politicians.
“Free trade” agreements limit or abolish NZ’s sovereign right to enact laws opposed by other states or transnationals. The Transpacific Partnership Agreement being negotiated in secret poses danger to our economy and democracy. Outcomes would be GE commonplace in agriculture and forestry; primary producers working as peasants in our own land; reduced local ownership and jobs; privatised exploitation and loss of control of IP, food supply, pharmaceuticals, health, education and service choices; and ease of oil and mineral explorers and extractors to harm our environment without liability.
Murray will also cover NZ’s military relationship with the US working against NZ sovereignty and security. He’s a riveting and entertaining speaker whose exposé of foreign ownership and influence is an alarming call to reflection and action. 1 June, 7:30pm, Senior Citizens’ Hall.
Ro Piekarski
