Where’s the positive?

Editor,

The issues raised in the Whanau Centre story [KMN, February 19] fails to focus on the actual success the Whanau Centre has made over the past four years.

The article focuses on a petition raised because of a name-change and governance. Is this affecting the service?

The petition is not raising issue with the delivered support services the Whanau Centre is providing in this community. If there is no issue raised with the actual service delivered to the Whanau, what is the petition addressing?

If there is real concern about the services delivered, these concerned people should provide some constructive feedback to improve the service.

It will be a good use of their time and energy for their community.

I read and observe the behaviours of councillors and feel that Liz Kelly is focused on the real issues in our community like providing quality whanau support services, Creekfest and she is also an advocate for those in the Porirua community who do not agree with joining the Wellington super city.

Porirua has an identity, let’s be proud and remain purely focused on our community.

It seems to me Liz Kelly is one of the lone voices on council who is actually listening to her community, maybe the mayor Nick Leggett shouldn’t be telling her to ‘‘shut her mouth’’ and maybe he should listen.

The NZ Post site had the prime location for the last 30-plus years, easy (sheltered) access for the public, especially elderly folk whether coming from the buses/taxis and the plaza. Strange how the first refit of the old NZ Post site resulted in a significant reduction in floor space, utilising, more efficiently, the minimal space that was available, advising us that they have more teller cubicles.

The second revamp involved a complete move, but again another change in floor space – back to the same floor area they had originally.

By the way, how much did both refits cost? How long after the first refit did they relocate? Would it not have been possible/more appropriate to remain in the CBD? Hard to believe they could not find a suitable site within it.

Well, at least we still have one of the ATMs in the CBD area – but wait. It too has been relocated to right outside the new branch.

Isn’t there more reason now to have one ATM in the CBD? Would this not force the elderly to make the unsafe/ unsheltered walk to the new branch or reconsider their choice of banks?

Maybe we should close our accounts so that we no longer have to walk the distance to the new NZ Post site.

(Letter abridged) surprising that the owner of the new buildings lives in Hamilton.