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Potential councillors’ views

The responses by the potential councillors to the siting of the walkway cycle bridge at Ruha St has been valuable and has given me a clearer idea of who will get my support. I supported the idea that the council originally promoted, of a cycle walkway link for the community of Linton to this side of the river.

In no way can a bridge at Ruha St fulfil that brief. In my view, the present councillors have once again ignored the needs of an outlying community and once again gone for the pretty pictures. I agree with those potential candidates that a second transport bridge should be the aim, that councillors should be looking at the big picture of the city in 25 to 50 years’ time.

In much less than 25 years’ time, universities will be much smaller, with possibly only research institutions needing people to be regular commuters to that area. But we will have a pretty little bridge, as a piece of artistic sculpture, and huge ongoing maintenance of cycle walkways for the ageing fixed-income ratepayers of Palmerston North. IOLA HAGGARTY Palmerston North

Keep drones on the roads

One of the few freedoms which we enjoy in this country is the right to pass unhindered along our system of legal roads. These connect every parcel of land in New Zealand (although interrupted by Cook and Foveaux straits), making it possible to move freely from one gateway to any other. Such movement may be on foot, or by any legally permitted conveyance.

We are now hearing of experiments to deliver goods such as pizzas by means of drones, leading to concerns over the possible invasion of privacy.

If we do find our skies buzzing with these unwelcome messengers, I suggest that they be programmed to fly only along the road corridors. That is where powered vehicles of all types are accustomed to travel.

Of course, the question must be asked, would such drones be a distraction to other road users? It may take a little time for them to become an accepted component of normal road traffic, but this may prove to be the best long-term solution. BRUCE STERN Feilding

Job well done

My wife and I write to express appreciation for the way in which the local fire service and police responded to the Fitzroy St Feilding fire last Wednesday.

Their competence, professionalism, and good humour in difficult circumstances were a credit to the Feilding and district community. Thank you. JOHN & SYBIL WETH Feilding

Want change? Vote!

There seems to be quite a few folk who are not completely satisfied with the way our council and our community board operates. I must agree that in some areas our council does seem to have lost the plot.

My understanding is that local councils should be there for the benefit of its ratepayers; to supply the basic services at the best possible price. Roading, pavements, water and a library are but some of the services we need as ratepayers. I also believe that there is a moral responsibility to provide some level of housing for those who need it.

Fortunately, we live in a democracy and it is up to us, each and every one of us, to exercise our democratic right and vote.

If you want change then you have to vote for it. It will not happen without your input. JOHN GIRLING Foxton

Manawatu mayoralty

I have a few comments about both of the Manawatu District mayoral candidates based on my personal experiences.

Firstly Ms Worboys – at the time of the 2004 disastrous floods, people throughout the country responded to the plight of those seriously affected in an amazing way. To the extent that when the needs of those directly affected were satisfied it was decided to have a garage sale and let members of the public have their chance.

Ms Worboys’ response, as ❚ Not being allowed to play rugby on Sunday is no excuse for raping someone. Let’s not forget who the victim was in this case. Tears for himself cut no ice. ❚ How lovely to be treated well by a business. Great outing, truly great service on our visit to Waireka Honey Centre. Thanks from Woodville Garden Club. ❚ We need new PNCC on board, some of them have been there too long past their use by date. mx ❚ Our native birds love bananas. I feed the local birds thru winter with assorted fruit put high in a tree and bananas are one they enjoy. Levona ❚ Air NZ made so much money they’ve given employees bonus, hands clapping there, while citizens pay on average huge fares. Cost arm and leg to travel. bella ❚ Stolen in a burglary a couple a weeks ago a never used child’s watch easily recognisable as its red and has the character Wreck It Ralph on the dial. There are no other watches like this in Palmerston North, so if you see it on a child’s wrist it’s stolen and their parent or relative is a thief. Seeing this watch and reporting it could uncover other stolen items. ❚ Great start to the season Turbos. Will try and wing a few hours off work to attend a few of your games. UNCLE DAVE

published in the Feilding Herald, was that the unallocated items should be burnt in a bonfire rather than made accessible to the public. I have not seen any evidence that her view of ‘‘community’’ and voluntary effort has changed.

Ms Kouvelis has presided over the final stages of the tardiness and belligerence of the council staff and their consultants to the almost decades-late application to apply for a new consent to dispose of Feilding’s wastewater from the sewage treatment plant. The attitude displayed and the inadequacy of the application and supporting evidence did not impress the Environment Court and the ‘‘council’’ made things worse by appealing their decision at the cost of $350,000.

The mayor has the only real influence over council staff via the CEO, and Ms Kouvelis has an insider’s knowledge of the wastewater issues. Perhaps having a new CEO will make a difference. A sea-change certainly needs to happen if real progress is to be made.

IAN RITCHIE Feilding