What’s the harm having memorials in parks?
WAITAKI District Council parks manager Erik van der Spek has instructed a local person to remove flowers from the site at Awamoa Park where her son was tragically killed and refused permission for her to erect a plaque to his memory on the site (ODT, 20.10.21).
I quote Mr van der Spek from the article, that in council’s opinion the place for memorials is the cemetery.
He also says plaques are not generally permitted on parks.
That suggests to me there is flexibility around this issue.
How is it then we already have numerous memorials, structures, park seats, and trees dedicated to deceased members of our community on or near our parks and reserves?
These tragedies fortunately do not occur that often, meaning parks will not be overcrowded with plaques, so what is the harm.
It seems council can erect as many signs as they wish on our parks polluting certain views and vistas.
It also appears that council has taken a very dictatorial approach to this issue. Something many of us are used to when dealing with other departments within this organisation.
Hydrogen
Oamaru
YOUR article announces there is a planned ‘‘green hydrogen’’ research centre in Dunedin (ODT, 20.10.21).
The article says ‘‘Green hydrogen, as opposed to other forms, is made using electrolysis powered by renewable energy.’’
I see from another piece you publish today that people are advocating for a hydrogen plant at Tiwai to use ‘‘surplus energy’’ at Manapouri.
With increasing use of EVs for all kinds of transport, and the very real possibility of droughts affecting the levels at hydropower station storage lakes, is there ever actually going to be a socalled ‘‘energy surplus’’ at Manapouri?
And if there is a surplus, should it be used in a highly inefficient conversion process?
Perhaps the research centre will answer these questions, but how green is ‘‘green hydrogen’’ given all these complex factors?
Fond memories
Maori Hill
YOUR article with photos (ODT, 15.10.21) of the Otago Pioneer Women’s Hall brought back many fond memories and nostalgia to me.
During many years, from the 1960s, the Dunedin Spiritualist Church held their Sunday services there and, as one who was interested in this at the time, gave me the opportunity to visit this building of much beauty and history.
I do hope its heritage features will remain intact long term.
A ‘‘brick bat’’ to the current owners, however. Why oh why was the front door entrance painted purple?
I recoil with an attack of nausea every time I pass by.
North East Valley
South Island Covid
HOW is it sex workers with no papers were able to get down into the South Island to ply their trade? I’ll tell you why: North Islanders are not being penalised enough.
I have not seen any sentences yet for the couple, one whose mother was a judge.
Why is that?
I really think with all our good behaviour we should at least be down another level.
If things keep going like they are it will come down here. What will the Government say then — think up another excuse?
Do something now, not later. Give us credit for all our good work.
Go South Islanders!
Oamaru ...................................
BIBLE READING: Do not be fooled: you cannot cheat God. — Galatians 6.7.
IN recognition of the importance of readers’ contributions to the letters page, the newspaper each week selects a Letter of the Week with a book prize courtesy of Penguin Random House. This week’s winner is Glenys Bowles, of Fairfield, for a letter about the importance of ExPinkt gym. The prize is a copy of Better off Dead, by Lee Child and Andrew Child. The winning letter was on this page on Thursday.