Letters 8 July 2011
NO to council union, YES for GB Independent
Golden Bay is naturally a “bio-region” because of its unique situation. To bring GB to its full potential we need to be independent and self-governing by our own GB County Council. The last 22 years showed us how bad it is to be a colony from Richmond and becoming a colony of Nelson is not going to be better. We do not want more centralisation and power for the bureaucrats and less say for Golden Bay residents. The worldwide fight for true democracy is important; also in GB we need direct democratic governance so the people’s voice can be heard and respected and make a real difference. And these criteria are not met in GB as many ordinary people as well as ex-councillors and GB community board members know for a fact and are outspoken about it.
Therefore, bring back the Golden Bay County Council. It’s necessary and possible if the residents of Golden Bay stand behind this idea to get a submission started. The argument that Golden Bay with 5000 residents is not strong enough by itself is not scientifically proven, but is often used as a political argument to force centralisation in the interest of empire-building bureaucrats.
As a self-governing Golden Bay, managing our people, economy and environment we can also serve the nation as a unique region that others can learn from.
Join Golden Bay Independent because we can....
Black Bear
Union of councils proposal
The Golden Bay Community Board has arranged a public meeting to discuss all aspects of the Local Government proposal for a Nelson Tasman Union.
The panel of speakers will include Mayors Richard Kempthorne and Aldo Miccio; Philip Wollaston, Ali Boswijk, and representatives of the Local Government Commission.
Details: Monday 18 July, 7.00-9.00pm, Takaka Primary School hall in Wadsworth Street.
This is your opportunity to hear a variety of points of view and gather information and have your questions answered. We warmly invite you to this meeting, which may assist you in formulating your submission to the Local Government Commission regarding this proposal.
Proposal copies are available at the TDC,Takaka, online from Local Government Commission or email <info@lgc.govt.nz>.
We will accept questions in advance: deliver to TDC Takaka, labeled Union Meeting Question, email to gbcb@tasman.govt.nz. Or save them up to ask the panel on the night, whatever you prefer. This promises to be a very interesting meeting so mark your calendar so you don’t miss out.
Carolyn McLellan, chair, Golden Bay Community Board
The quoted comments of the Tasman Mayor in “Stop Press” (GBW 1/7), together with the CEO report for the 30 June 2011 council meeting to which they refer, do not stand scrutiny.
Considerable time elapsed between their Southland/Stewart Island tiki-tour and the discredited CEO report for the 2 September 2010 council meeting.
The flawed report failed to meet any of the criteria for staff advice to council. The Golden Bay Community Board asked the council to decline to accept it and for it be rewritten and resubmitted as a draft.
Council refused this request and later “fixed” the problem of staff reports not meeting the quality criteria by cynically removing the criteria from the TDC Code of Conduct.
There is no doubt that the Local Government Commission (LGC) Draft re-organisation proposal, which includes delegations for community boards, has the CEO scrambling ahead of the 19 August 2011 closing date for submissions.
We must remember that LGC also recommended delegations in the 2006/07 TDC representation review. TDC ignored this.
This whole sorry saga is a indictment on the TDC CEO, mayor and council majority.
Community board delegations are guaranteed for at least six years by supporting the Local Government Commission proposal.
Joe Bell
If you would like to be kept informed about the current proposal for the union of Tasman and Nelson Councils and how you can be involved, please send an email to <martine.goldenbay@xtra.co.nz>. I will add you to my Council and Community Update list.
This is an informal, plain English, email newsletter which will also keep you in touch with other local political and regional goings-on that affect Golden Bay residents and ratepayers. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Cr Martine Bouillir
The price of a pineapple
OK, so now this question has been intermittently bugging me when first entering Fresh Choice here in Takaka. And as there are some very smart people here in Golden Bay, I am confident that one of you has an answer to help me understand why it is that a pineapple from the Philippines weighing a kilo sells for $4, and a kilo of grapes from Chile for $8.00, while at the same time New Zealand-grown tomatoes are priced at $19.00 a kilo?
The math just doesn’t seem to make sense: How is it possible to grow, pick and package fruit in these distant countries, take it to the nearest international airport, fly it to New Zealand and finally transport it to Takaka where it sells for much less per kilo than these (rather tasteless) hothouse NZ tomatoes? Replies please to <brucedooley@gmail.com> and I’ll report back so that others who may have had these ponderings will be in the know.
Bruce Dooley
The referendum on our electoral system
Regarding the the referendum due this year, we have an opportunity to change our electoral system.
Currently our only choice of candidates to represent us are those chosen by political parties. Whether they are the party candidates (for the party vote) or the electoral candidate, they are party members, loyal to the discipline of the party structure, chosen by the elite membership of their respective party.
As long as candidate selection is the realm of the party machine, it really does not matter what electoral system we choose. We will not have true democratic representation.
The answer is to have 120 members of parliament: 60 chosen by the party system and 60 chosen by the electorate, free from party influence or selection. The “non party“ 60 then swear to represent the majority will of their electorate on all issues. These issues may well be the manifestos of the political parties. Around the debating chamber each electoral member will put his or her constituency wishes to the table, and strongly state their case. At the end of the day the majority constituency vote, on the issue, will be fulfilled.
This will break the power of parties getting away with secret agendas, cronyism and lobbing movements. So let’s vote for MMP where the choice of electoral representatives are selected by the electorate.
Reg Turner
Red and black windows
Congratulations to the businesses of Takaka who got behind the Red and Black crusade two weeks ago. What a fantastic effort from just about all of you. It was terrific to see town all decked out in the red and black.
I believe the “judge” didn’t venture very far to check out all the shops. Did he/she realise that Finishing Touch in the library car park had a great display, as did Kevin Hebberd’s business in Motupipi Street?
Congratulations also to Nikki Ryan and sister Lisa who got everyone motivated and dished out balloons and posters. I was told by one business owner it was great to have something to take her mind off the lean times that they are all having this winter. It was a great show and I noticed that some decorations were still up this past weekend. Go, the Crusaders!
Jill Pomeroy
The GB Weekly congratulates all the businesses that supported the recent Crusaders window-decorating exercise. The degree of support was really impressive so our congratulations also go out to the public-spirited people who went up and down the street encouraging business owners to get involved.
The way the town looked was sensational and a reminder of what can happen when everyone works together. We wondered again whether the time has come for the Mainstreet Committee or something similar to be revived. The whole CBD could have regular theme-based promotions or events that would be fun and good for business. All it takes is for a small number of people to make it happen. The GB Weekly would certainly support such an initiative.
Some readers have wondered why we did not feature the windows in our paper. The whole exercise was a Nelson Mail initiative so it would have been a bit rude for us to barge in and exploit it in our paper.
Neil Wilson and Marg Braggins
Pohara-Takaka cycleway
What a great idea! A footbridge across the Motupipi River as the missing link for the safest and most welcome cycleway from Pohara to Takaka. I could not think of a better example of a communal project that benefits everyone in the community. It’s affordable and sustainable and creates a very attractive incentive to enjoy exercising in a beautiful environment using the most environmentally friendly means of transport.
It would also be a great asset for Golden Bay tourism.
I’d like to congratulate Hans Stoffregen and the Golden Bay Cycle and Walkway Society for their initiative, which is bound to find a majority of Golden Bay residents as happy supporters. The government has granted several million dollars for cycleways all around the country. The Pohara-Takaka cycleway should be on their list.
Rudolf Samper
Takaka Playcentre
Thanks for your article about Playcentre last week. Our children Tai and Koa have been enjoying Playcentre for years already. And we, as parents, really enjoy being part of the whanau approach that Playcentre offers.
For me, Playcentre has become an extension of my home. It’s wonderful to support, and feel supported by, other parents and the fabulous Playcentre staff. We have been especially having a great time for three years now coming to the Wednesday afternoons. Your article said that there is place for some older children: this is true. The diversity of age is one of those things that make Playcentre such a lovely place. An important thing that I believe your article didn’t mention is the fact that we need more children to attend the Wednesday afternoon, from babies to older kids. So, Golden Bay parents, consider bringing your kids to the Wednesday afternoon at Playcentre. Kindy kids are more than welcome too.
Sacha Horton
Land for sale
A unique opportunity has arisen to purchase shares in the 200 acres of land known as Canaan Downs on Takaka Hill. On behalf of Canaan Downs Collective and Luminate Festival Trust, we invite you to join us by investing in this land for the long-term benefit of the environment, the local community and the wider public.
We present this project as a model for co-operative land ownership, sustainable land management, ethical investment, community participation and innovative environmental initiatives.
Our vision is to ensure that Canaan Downs remains available and accessible to our communities for events, to assist regeneration of the beech forest, re-establish native trees, establish fruit and nut trees, protect and enhance the biodiversity of the native flora and fauna, and provide a sanctuary for at-risk endemic species.
Detailed information on the shares available and vision for the land is available in the Canaan Downs Collective Business Plan and Canaan Downs Investment Information Pack. Both documents are available to read online or download from http://issuu.com/luminate. A visit to the land will take place on Sunday 17 July with a guided walk and byo picnic lunch. For more information please email info@luminatefestival.co.nz or phone 5256025.
Jules Harper and Rita Davies
Winter School Holiday Programme
The Winter Boredom Buster school holiday programme is almost upon us with some new and exciting activities including a team games day. The Boredom Buster magazines are at schools, GB Community Centre, the library, TDC Service Centre and i-SITE. I can also email programmes. I can be contacted at 525 8876 or <recreation@gbcw.co.nz>.
Dave Myall
Golden Bay OSCAR/Boredom Buster organiser
Gibbs Hill endurance
As of last Tuesday morning, there were already 44 entries for the race. Remember, we have a limit of 70, so if you are still thinking about it, then get your entry in quickly and avoid missing out on a fantastic event. Go to <www.nelsonevents.co.nz> and click on the Gibbs Hill link to take you to the website with all the info and registration details.
To those who have already entered, thank you and all the best with your preparation. I know it’s hard on these frosty mornings but it will be worth it.
Wouter de Maat
The World on a Plate
GBHS’s mid-winter fundraiser will go ahead despite the recent engineering report and closure of the school’s two storey block. So now more than ever - show your support for Golden Bay High and grab a ticket to our international food festival. Bring a clean plate, fork and spoon from home to sample food from over 15 countries, savoury and sweet, music to entertain you and bring along a bit of cash for the bar. Starts 7pm pronto, GBHS hall and there are no door sales. Tickets $25 available at the school office and GB Gallery until 2pm on Saturday. Don’t miss out!
Paddy Brennan
Soccer tournament
The Golden Bay High School 1st XI is planning a trip to the Linwood Cup which will be held in Ashburton during August. This tournament will require a large amount of fundraising as it is held over a period of five days. We are trying to raise money by organising a number of events. Over the school holidays we will be running a three-day coaching programme for younger soccer players. Look out round town for our great cake stalls. We are offering ourselves as team labour, and are willing workers. Please contact us if you need work done. We have wood for sale. On Saturday 30 July there will be a monster garage sale at the high school hall. There will be raffles and food.
We spend all year looking forward to this tournament, and would like to make it the best possible experience for all involved. To contact us phone Linda at 525 9918.
Ross Stocker for GBHS 1st XI football team
