Letters 5 August
Rugby World Cup
A little old lady, who lives on the pension, is desperate to vacate New Zealand for the duration. She is one of “droves” and regrets that in doing so she will be contributing to the already inexcusable carbon footprint resulting from a projected 85,000 fans expected to travel to New Zealand. Regarding these “fans”, she remembers a study from the 80s which showed that those who regularly attended test matches tended to have attained only a low level of education, and to habitually consume inordinate amounts of cheap rum. She is aware of police plans to augment the force to try to control the inevitable rape and pillage...she fears for the daughters of New Zealand.
It saddens her to know of the violence inherent in her beloved country: terrible statistics on child abuse/infanticide, wife beating, tribal warfare, binge drinking. She wonders if our national sport isn’t somehow a reflection of this; World Cup Women’s Rugby inadvertently seen on the internet...sickened her—she was looking for women’s soccer, the Beautiful Game.
A car repair bill, and others, have her still buying a weekly Lotto ticket in hopes of a miracle win to finance her trip...
Are you ready for the Rugby World Cup?
Peter Sparhawk Bridgwater
Complaint about local medical service
Has anyone else had to wait seven days to get an appointment with their doctor? Being too unwell after four days waiting, you want to see another doctor, but have to wait another day, and then be asked why you didn’t go to your own doctor! You were then told this doctor was too busy to read your medical records and asked to quickly and simply tell him your problem (he had another emergency patient there). Then you wait one day for blood test results and were told you need to see your own doctor - yes wait another four days.
Thanks IMG. Is that an improvement on what we had before? After the last blood test it was a seven-day wait for an appointment too. Fortunately the patient could contact a Nelson Hospital specialist.
Name withheld
Response from Andrew Swanson-Dobbs, CEO PHO: Golden Bay Medical Centre is unable to comment on any individual case, however wishes to acknowledge that sometimes it is problematic getting to see the doctor of choice that some patients wish to see. All effort is taken in attempting to accommodate patient need.
We would also like to take this opportunity to indicate that we are trialing an out-of-hours telephone nurse triage service (based in Auckland) attempting to assist meeting patient needs. We welcome any feedback on experiences so that we can determine its suitability for the Golden Bay region.
Andrew Swanson-Dobbs
Council union proposal
Comments about representation raised in letters (GBW 29/7) regarding the proposed union of councils do not stand scrutiny. We have already had extended periods of time with one Golden Bay councillor when Stuart Borlase was on holiday overseas and later, sadly, on sick leave. This term, Noel Riley has unfortunately been on sick leave for much of the time prior to his resignation and the seat is vacant.
We manage with one councillor during these absences. With community boards being guaranteed meaningful delegations for six years by the reorganisation proposal, there will be more opportunity for real local governance in each ward.
There is a way to further improve responsive “bottom up” local governance. This would require a change to the Local Electoral Act 2001. That is, to have community boards as the only elected body. The boards then elect/appoint their “councillors” and the councillors then elect/appoint their chair/mayor. This would remove the “show pony” presidential-style elections, which do not serve us well. It would provide the opportunity for deputies to be appointed in the case of absence through illness. It would also remove the harmful “elitism” that arises from the present three-tier local government election system.
Joe Bell
I would like to clarify a statement in my letter printed in The GB Weekly 29 July. My use of the word “condescending“ towards the Mayor of Nelson was an error in word usage.
Many readers have contacted me on this so my apologies to them. (I need to refer to the dictionary of the English language and its use more often!)
Those of us present were aware that the attitude of Mayor Aldo Micco was one of stating the facts, and showed magnanimity in his statement that if amalgamation went ahead, some of his staff would lose their jobs, but would accept this for the greater good.
The manner of Mayor Kempthorne was to protect his staff employment from redundancy, and by insinuation his also!
I hope this clarifies the text and meaning of that letter. I appreciate those who chastised me, who must have realised my word usage did not reflect the manner of the Nelson mayor.
Reg Turner
Thank you Claire Webster for putting forward good thoughts on amalgamation. I, too, am a TDC employee and have always understood I was allowed to have an opinion but not allowed to express it publicly. Thank you for being a spokesman for me and giving us good food for thought.
Nancy Ward
Regarding the question of rates raised in Letters (GBW 29/7) it is misleading for Stuart Borlase to quote figures sourced from TDC publicity and fail to mention the TDC qualifying comment of the need to also take “targeted rates” and “differentials” into account. This simply bears truth to the old saying of “lies, damn lies and statistics”.
During the Takaka meeting on 18 July, Clive Bird quoted the real example of a Nelson farmlet of a third more value paying a third less total rates than Clive does at Birds Hill, Waitapu.
Nelson City currently has “differentials” that help lessen the load on rural ratepayers. It will be up to our elected representatives to ensure fair rates for all. Differentials were used by Golden Bay County Council and they can be used by a united council.
Under the Local Government Commission proposals, Tasman will have at least 28 elected representatives compared with 22 at present (19 community board members plus nine councillors). Community boards will represent local communities. Proper budgeted decision-making delegations guaranteed for at least six years under the LGC proposal puts “Local Government” back in the hands of “locals”.
Joe Bell
From a districtwide perspective it appears that rural representation will take a dive in the event of amalgamation: Current rural representation amounts to six councillors from rural areas out of 13 TDC councillors. Proposed rural representation amounts to four councillors from rural areas out of 16 NTDC councillors.
With regard to representation based on population, this change of ratio between rural versus urban representatives can be considered more democratic and fairer.
With regard to the management of our land—rural or environmental concerns—it appears these issues will be being represented at the top level of our council by fewer people who live and breathe these concerns, and this could result in undemocratic and poor representation of issues that are important to us all.
Rural issues affect our food supply (farming and agriculture), national income (farming, agriculture, forestry and tourism, etc) and the caretaking of our natural environment. Does anyone know how this anomaly is being addressed in the proposed amalgamation?
I would also like to know what happens with regard to the council workers who monitor and study our environment, our local scientific experts, in the event of amalgamation? Are these people going to keep their jobs or are these important roles going to be halved and we end up with fewer people monitoring our environment?
Stephanie Wilson
Spraying weeds on roadsides
I was so pleased when I received an email from a member of Tasman District Council to say in the town area of Takaka the spray being used to control weeds is called Weedenz, an organic spray made up of plant acids and pine oil.
On page 8 (GBW advert 29/7) the council has a public notice that states: “Residents can request that their rural property frontage not be chemically sprayed and instead undertake the vegetation control themselves. On approval council will mark the “no spray” area with red marker pegs.” So the council gives us a choice as to whether we would like chemical sprays used or not.
I would like to see the council’s contractor use organic sprays or a hot water system to control weeds throughout the Golden Bay area along all the roadsides, reserves and culverts, as currently chemical sprays such as Roundup are being used. If you agree with me please come and sign a petition in The Organic Shop and I will present it to the council. Thank you for your support.
Felicity Fitz-William
Golden Bay Museum
Having read the interesting article (GBW 29/7) on the Golden Bay Museum I would like to correct a couple of observations that were in it.
First, Sister Lash as reported was more affectionately known as Nurse Lash by Golden Bay people, and my mother who used her services on three occasions called her this. I know of two locations which were used as nursing homes by her. My elder sister and I were born in the house which is situated at 41 Waitapu Road (early-mid 1930) and my younger sister was born in the house which is now The Work Centre (1942).
The other mistake which is much more important is the misnaming of the person who started the collection and sold same to the Golden Bay Museum. For the record her name was Margaret Wilson, not Mary as stated.
Ken Scott
Abel Tasman’s 370th commemoration
The significance of the 370th anniversary escapes me. Is this the first New Zealand home invasion? Is this the first attack on freedom campers by locals? Different perspective, different view. Who will decide the guest list? Who will pay for this costly cream-cake occasion? Another expensive needless folly. Love and peace.
BJ White
East Takaka Hall
The management team at the East Takaka Hall is holding a Pot Luck Share meal on Friday 5 August from 5.30pm onwards. BYO wine and beer. Non alcholic drinks provided. We would like to invite friends and supporters to join us for this meal. Please bring a main and dessert plate to share. No charge, but membership to the society is $2 a person or $5 per family. This would be appreciated. Come and meet old friends and the east community.
Nancy Ward, committee member
