SHARED VIEWS

Recently a letter addressed to Mrs Tuamaro Doherty re senior citizens HOP Card travel signed by Mr Mark Lambert - General Manager AT Metro arrived. My wife died in my arms at 9.20am on Wednesday 17th October 2012. This plus your articles on page 3 and 5 of your 21 June issue and the letter from Margaret

Crowther in your 9 June issue, lead to the question ‘‘Where is any competent administrative leadership at Auckland Transport?’’ Please, Karen Goa, I hope you were not too disappointed with the nonrecognition of your signed petition, Auckland Transport are well known for their ostrich like behaviour - anything Auckland Transport do not like they just ignore. The article on Chris Darby’s rubbish experience over the collection to efficiently start the No Rubbish Waste for Auckland Campaign. The letter from Rob Thexton in the 21 June issue, the letter from Margaret Edgecumbe and John McClinton 16 June issue also prompt the same question of Auckland Council - ‘‘Where is any competent administrative leadership?’’

Tom Doherty Birkenhead

YACHTING NZ

Is Yachting NZ hard of hearing? The bulk of local residents don’t want YNZ occupying space for its glorified headquarters on public reserve land used by the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park and available to everyone. There is plenty of space available at Long Bay Regional Park. It is about time YNZ got the message and stopped wasting ratepayers and taxpayers time and money. Bruce Tubb

Belmont

WDHB RESPOND

In response to Graham Aspell (July 7), it may be helpful if I provide some further information on recent activities on the banks of Lake Pupuke adjacent to North Shore Hospital. Waitemata DHB deeply regrets that diesel from our storage tanks leaked into the lake and I would like to reiterate our commitment to openness with our community. The presence of fire trucks in front of the North Shore Hospital jetty is unrelated to the recent diesel spill into Lake Pupuke. The fire units have been assisting with the routine changeover of our fire water pumps for the hospital. This is a planned activity and has no connection with the release of diesel. The earthworks that are being undertaken are the early stages of construction of our new lakefront Waitemata Clinical Skills Centre and are also unrelated to the incident. The vehicles Mr Aspell saw were most likely independent technical experts we brought in after the diesel spill to assist with removing diesel residue from the underground stormwater pipe system. The vapour rising from the flues was the effect of the trucks’ vacuum process. Finally, the presence of security guards and fencing has nothing to do with the DHB wishing to prevent scrutiny of its response to the diesel spill; it is a requirement of health and safety law. These measures have been put in place to protect the public and school children from the neighbouring school who frequent the area around these busy construction sites. Waitemata DHB is happy to show Mr Aspell or anyone else through the site who contacts my office to make arrangements for us to safely do so.

Robert Paine, Waitemata District Health Board

HAVE YOUR SAY

Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspondence without explanation. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication.

Email: nsnews@snl.co.nz

Mail: North Shore Times, PO Box 79, Orewa.