Businessman wants trees to go
A man who helped plant the large trees on Logan St, now says they should be removed to make way for parking.
Footes Furnishings and Flooring owner David Foote wants the South Waikato District Council to remove the large trees lining the centre of Logan St where his business is located to make way for more parking.
During the South Waikato District Council’s open mayoral forum on Thursday, Foote, who helped plant the trees some 50 years ago, said the trees were park trees and with their large overhanging branches they were no longer suitable or safe to have in the centre of a street.
With Tokoroa becoming busier he said it made sense to remove them and replace them with angle parking and smaller trees.
‘‘We have got no parking limit signs here so I am worried about the car parking,’’ he said.
‘‘I am suggesting getting rid of the trees from the police station down to the main highway and take a leaf out of Rotorua’s book and have centre car parking down Logan St.’’
He said the nearby Commerce St footpath also needs to be cut back to make way for more parks.
‘‘That footpath is about five or six metres wide and it could be cut back for car parking,’’ he said.
‘‘The trees are a nuisance and they are too big for the street.’’ David Foote
‘‘In front of the police station and cinema there should also be angle parking rather than parallel because that way you could fit more cars in.’’
Foote said the trees were also starting to lift up the road, blocking street lighting causing security concerns, and shop owners were constantly having to do maintenance on their buildings due to falling leaves blocking guttering.
‘‘The trees are a nuisance and they are too big for the street. Cambridge has got maples which are half the size and that is what we need here,’’ he said.
He said money from the council’s redevelopment project of Leith Pl should also be spend down the street.
‘‘They are doing the annual plan and budget now for next year and I know the Leith Pl redevelopment is not totally finalised yet so they have got some money which they could budget towards this,’’ he said.
Mayor Jenny Shattock thanked Foote for his suggestions but no other comments were made by councillors. Theft We had two trailers reported stolen this week, one of which had a boat on it, which is a little bit different for us.
The boat was an 18 foot tinny with a cab on it and the registration of the trailer it was on was F582B. If anyone has information about this call the station on 885 0100 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Family harm There were 19 reports of family violence for the week, two of which resulted in arrests and charges being laid.
Most of these were alcohol related and we are getting up there with this number but at the same time it is good to see people are calling us early before things get too violent.
The messages here remain the same- seek help and get out early if you find yourself in a volatile situation and when it comes to the consumption of alcohol don’t drink if you get nasty, it’s that simple.
Tip: If you are an acquaintance of a victim help by listening and being supportive, ensure they’re safe, and find community help.
*Senior sergeant Jason Henderson