Mcclay's pledge won't hold water
Rotoruamptodd Mcclay is, inmy opinion, trying to buy hiswayback with the $1.6m pledge to resurrect the local rescue helicopter service.
Firstly, the current service uses helicopters specifically designed for medical evacuations.
They are faster than the previous helicopter.
They have heat-seeking, nightvision goggles as well as sophisticated instrumentation.
Arotorua-based chopper would also have dead-head legs due to the nature of operations.
The average current cost per operation is $8000to $10,000.
Whenthe changewas announced muchwringing of hands took place with dire predictions of accident victims dying before the chopper arrived.
It hasn’t happened.
Richardlyon
Rotorua
Newfriends to bemade
There are still a lot of lonely people in Rotorua and I frequentlycome acrossthem on Facebook, and yet there is little or no need for folk not to have company, to keep their minds and bodies active.
I belong tou3a- the University of the Third Age.
This wonderfully active group is open to all people over 55 and costs amere $10 a year.
Whatever your interests you will find retired people with and without degrees, people with a piece of vast knowledge and commitment to sharing, menandwomenwith adesire to shed the loneliness of old age and find friendsamongthe hundreds of members.
The committees and convenors are
friendly and helpful and I ampretty sure that you will find all the help you need to get started.
All it takes is an email or phone call. Don’t sithomeand stagnate, share your knowledge and friendship. Jimadams
Rotorua
Apleasure lost
Re wandering geese at the lakefront (News, September 23).
Onceupona time Rotorua residents and happy tourists used to enjoy watching the geese and swans at Sulphur Point.
Goslings and cygnets gave us all pleasure. Wealso loved photographing the breeding season of seagulls on the island.
Hoppywasa favourite andwegrieved whenhe was run over and killed.
The Lakefront is nomore for us. Inmyopinion, the council does not take responsibility for the geese and the Department of Conversation couldn’t care less.
Weare elderly and cannot help these geese.
Is there anyone out there whocould look after them? Heatherheywood
Rotorua