Students’ parking tickets questioned
PARKING PROBLEMS
So, once again we have a front page story on parking at Paraparaumu and once again the authorities act like an oak tree instead of a flexible willow. Clearly, Lexi and her three friends made a genuine mistake and it’s only natural that once the first car was there, the other three would deem it OK to park there too, especially as it was outside the Kapiti Community Centre.
I amcertainly not condoning illegal parking but from time to time a little compassionate leeway is called for - and especially in Lexi’s case, although I cannot speak for the other three.
When parking a car all our attention is given to the road, the space, the angle, the safety factor etc, and not always to signs that stick eight to nine feet in the air as in your picture. It is about time parking enforcement on the coast was not outsourced, as these parking companies are invisible, inflexible, and care not about human beings making an error of judgement ... only their damn signs and raking in revenue.
Time to step in on this one Mr Mayor and use your position to give Lexi a break and waive her ticket ... with a gentle piece of advice as well: ‘‘Watch for the signs next time’’. PS: Lexi, talk to WINZ, ask them to pay the fine (if all fails) and get it deducted at $5 a fortnight.
Jonathon Harrison
Otaki
EXPRESSWAY NOISE
I think Pat Shannon misses the point re the expressway noise. He/she chose to live near the old State Highway 1 and the railway line, obviously realising there would be traffic noise. When we bought our house 40 years ago we weren’t expecting to have an expressway built nearby and close enough to create constant traffic noise. I don’t think anyone is expecting the expressway to be moved but some sort of sound barriers would be appreciated.
Anne Goodwin
Raumati Beach
FOODBANK APPRECIATION
The Management Committee of the Kapiti Community Foodbank are delighted to be able to once again serve the community, in new premises with good access for our clients. It has been a very difficult journey for us as we have sought a new home, engaging us in possible lease arrangements and rentals which ultimately were far beyond the reach of our organisation.
We are grateful to many people who have helped us to achieve the present outcome. Firstly, we wish to acknowledge the help we have had from Kapiti Mayor Gurunathan who recognised the foodbank as an essential service and made some suggestions to assist us. He also made available another council staff person, who has worked tirelessly over many weeks using her many contacts to resolve numerous stumbling blocks along the way to our present building.
NZTA has generously allowed us to use their building in Kapiti Road and they have greatly assisted us by cleaning and repairing it in the interim. We have had support and encouragement from various individuals, supporters and organisations in the area. Our friendly lawyer gave us excellent advice on some complicated legal aspects and our local papers have assisted in ‘‘getting the word out’’ to their readers.
We are very grateful for all the organisations who have been saving their donated food ready to deliver to the Foodbank once we re-opened. We also wish to record the work of the Salvation Army who have been supplying parcels to help ‘‘fill the gap’’ and thank them for their initiative. We live in a wonderfully generous community, many of whom have assisted us in our recent ‘‘moving out’’ and subsequent ‘‘moving in’’ and we look forward to once again being able to assist those who really need our help.
Mary Pincott
Foodbank secretary
WRITE TO US
If there are any issues affecting you or your community, write to us at editor@kapiti-observer.co.nz or via Neighbourly. Please keep your letters to 200 words, and include your name, address and a contact number. Letters may be abridged and are published at the editor’s discretion.