North Shore Times (New Zealand)
HEART GOES OUT
My heart goes out to Kirstin Mckendry and her son. People can be so cruel. Our son has extra needs and I can’t tell you how many outings and playdates have ended in tears for me after hurtful remarks, largely by adults. You find you lose ‘‘friends’’ in surprising numbers and people seem afraid they might even catch something from you. I applaud the way the community has rallied behind Charlie and his mother, in organising this playdate for him [June 24]. Let’s hope it teaches a few more people tolerance and understanding.
E Watson
Milford
HOUR OF NEED
A big ‘‘thank you’’ to the Chinese couple who helped me. Driving me home on June 15 (12.30) when I fell in Rawene Car parking area. THANK YOU Pina.
G. Gallarate
Birkenhead
RATEPAYER’S LAMENT
Further to Tom Dillane’s article , Ryman Health Care are a popular, responsible, contributor to many aspects of society. They obviously had plans A, B and C in place and stuck their necks out for the most lucrative, in the interests of shareholders. Council robotically approved Plan A without consultation with a community, close knit, and highly sensitive to its best needs, environmentally and socially. Are we getting any value at all from those elected? Do we have to do the due diligence necessary, independently, at personal cost, effectively paying our rates twice, for something to be done properly?
Peter Dodd
Chatswood
CARE AND KINDNESS
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the doctors, nurses and physiotherapist at ward two of North Shore Hospital for all the kindness I have been privileged to experience on my recent visits as a patient. Nothing was too much trouble and the staff took the time to provide real comfort and compassion at times which were quite uncertain. The wonderful care given, the endless patience and true professional competence shown by the staff was outstanding.
Tom Gregory
JOBS, BUT NO SOLUTION
Your ‘‘Stormwater jobs’’ item (April 13) correctly identifies stormwater as polluted rainwater – road runoff carries heavy metals (copper, zinc, etc), hydrocarbons (oils, combustion by-products), organic matter (leaves, faeces), and sediment. But, Healthy Waters manager Craig McIlroy and others offer no real measures to remove these pollutants, despite plans for $33 million of projects.
‘‘Healthy Waters works closely…’’ ‘‘Local boards advocate and support…’’ ‘‘Initiatives include restoration…’’ ‘‘Street furniture to be reorganised…’’ ‘‘Wash cars on grass…’’ And more…
These are peripheral fluff and nonsense – roads are generating tonnes each year of polluted sediment – trap the sediment, trap the pollutants. We have known this for years; we have known how to do it for years; where is the political will for action, not words?
And, don’t just ‘‘woof’’ the pollutants further offshore with longer pipes, as George Wood suggested.
We need to actively prevent pollutants entering our environment.
Allen Reynolds
Glenfield
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