Letters 30 September
Dangerous Paton’s Rock intersection
Prediction: a fatal smash will occur where Paton’s Rock Road turns off the road to Collingwood .
Cars travelling towards Collingwood pass through a dip just before that intersection, making them invisible to a driver coming onto the main road from Patons Rock; whose view to the left is further obscured by the bridge, and - not infrequently - by vehicles parked next to the bridge.
Cars coming from Takaka often accelerate to pass a truck or other vehicle along this narrow straight. The yellow no-passing line starts too late, so the overtaking car is still in the right-hand lane when it reaches Patons Rock Road. (To some extent this happens because the truck is also still accelerating along the straight at this point.)
The Patons Rock driver has virtually no chance of seeing the overtaking car in the near lane - until he or she has already begun to pull out into its path.
At the very least, the yellow line needs to be extended back towards Takaka; and a sign put up on Patons Rock Road drawing attention to the extreme and hidden hazard ahead.
Even better: an 80k limit - reinforced with surveillance and tickets until the dangerous overtaking habits of some regular west-bound drivers are eliminated. Better still: reconstruction of the road, to eliminate the dip.
I hope I won’t have to see my prediction come true.
William Holloway
Lanterns in the sky on Sunday
On 2 October our wonderful Sam was born 18 years ago. Remembering the great joy and richness he brought to us we will be floating off some sky lanterns on early Sunday evening. So if you see some lights in the sky they are not distress signals but small lights of our immense love for him.
The Bowker-Napp family
Concert by band
The Takaka Citizens’ Band would like to thank the people of Golden Bay for their continued support over the years. We couldn’t manage without you as your generous donations go towards the everyday running costs such as uniforms, instrument repairs, music etc.
As a thank you, we will be marching up the street just after 6pm on Friday 7 October before playing in the hotels. On Saturday 8 October we will be playing outside Fresh Choice at 10am where we will also be holding our annual stall and raffle.
Marlene Alach
Museum exhibition
This year’s Golden Bay Museum exhibition features Kahurangi National Park and the Cobb area in particular. The Cobb’s history is part of our local heritage, its incredible environment will always offer a variety of experiences.
We would appreciate your help in creating an exhibition with a strong visual impression through the display of photographs or visual images. If you are able to assist us with any images or artefacts or have an interesting story to tell about the area please contact us.
Cliff Turley and Karen Johnson, Golden Bay Museum
Coastal policy fails
Many locals, like the Friends of Golden Bay, have a vision of vibrant communities focused round already developed nodes, linked by good and resilient infrastructure and surrounded by strong, sustainable, rural activities that give high regard to our precious land and sea environment.
Last week’s Conservation Week’s theme of “home places” reminded us to care for our own area. Unfortunately, there have been planning decisions in Golden Bay which have allowed sporadic subdivision outside of existing settlements. Two recent cases particularly exemplify the lack of leadership and vision in allowing sporadic development in the coastal environment. A few individuals and groups have spent time and energy opposing them, without resources to employ lawyers and experts or the likelihood of financial gain, unlike the subdividers in these cases.
In both of these cases in important coastal environments, there have been sections available in existing communities that, if built on, would assist their struggling businesses. These developments will further stress the TDC infrastructure budget, increase land values in these areas making it harder for economic sustainability of farms and, at least in one case, could lead to deterioration of an outstanding environment. TDC staff and hearing commissioners have been complicit in allowing these subdivisions to occur.
We all need to take responsibility and work to stop this detrimental type of development. We also need good leadership by our representatives and our council employees.
Don Mead, chairperson Friends of Golden Bay (Inc)
By-Election
After the last election (October 2010) I heard from several people who supported me but had not returned their voting papers. For this election the voting papers have to be in to the Richmond office by midday Wednesday 5 October so must be posted no later than Monday 3 October from Golden Bay. Come on everyone, get those envelopes posted. I really do treasure your support.
Your vote for me will ensure sound principles, practical knowledge and experience, given in a firm and logical way.
Paul Sangster
Where your rates go......
According to the TDC electoral officer the cost to ratepayers for by-elections is between $15,000 and $20,000. If an existing member of our community board were to be elected in the upcoming by-election, the cost would be double to the ratepayers, as that position would need to be filled.
Many thanks to Noel Riley who attempted to persevere with his duties despite poor health. We wish him well and all who work for our community, both paid and unpaid. Also a big thanks is due to the dedicated volunteers who have detailed the new cycle/walkway from Takaka to Pohara (GBW 23/9). What a brilliant idea, and one the community will support, because the alternative of making that stretch of road safe would be vastly more expensive and not nearly as pleasant. This project cannot happen fast enough and will be a valued asset for Golden Bay.
Victoria Davis
Storage facility needed by community workers
The Golden Bay Community Workers are often contacted by generous people with household goods they wish to donate. We are only too happy to receive things and distribute them to people who can do with them.
Getting the donations and knowing about the need don’t always happen at the same time, so we are on the lookout for a place in town where we can store things. Can anyone offer us the use of an enclosed weather-proof shed or similar storage facility? Thanks.
The Community Workers
A huge thank you
The Motupipi Public Hall committee would like to say thank you to all who patronised our Soup and Dessert Luncheons for the year. We have managed to finish upgrading the toilets and car-parking in front of the hall, making it safer for the pupils of Motupipi School and are now deciding to upgrade our kitchen. If anyone has spare jam or pickle jars that you don’t want or books, eg ladies’ novels, childrens’ books etc for our Labour Weekend Book Fair please contact me on 525 8064. Once again thank you very much.
Megan Nalder,
Secretary Motupipi Public Hall committee
Aorere Flower Show
Thank you Lois Benjamin and your team for this year’s Spring Show at the Aorere Hall, Rockville. There was a great turnout, including entries from all over the Bay, with gorgeous flowers, fruit and vegetables, craft and photographs. That makes it all worthwhile, including for the judges. Your tireless efforts to stage the show twice a year are greatly appreciated by the community and one way we can show that is by participating. See you all at the autumn show!
Penny Griffith
Boredom Busters
The spring school holiday programme is ready to go. The Big Day Out is back, there are the usual favourites like super chef, archery, mini MX Bikes and new activities like the Way2Go games trailer, skating and roller-blading plus the return of fun word games and upping the bike skills with “The See-saw Of Death”. Don’t forget to book early to avoid disappoinment.
Dave Myall, co-ordinator
Golden Bay Recreation and Way2Go
