Opunake reunion

A different view

In Wednesday’s Taranaki Daily News, Corrie Haddock argues that Housing NZ should not sell land in Marfell to a local charity looking to develop it into low cost housing for two reasons: 1) It’s selling an asset that belongs to the people of NZ; and 2) Housing NZ will be better at developing an area of attractive affordable homes.

On 1), Housing NZ is not giving the asset away for free. It’s selling it for money, which will then be used by the Government to buy other assets for the people of NZ. Looking at most parties’ capital programmes, the number of Government assets will certainly go up over the next few years, whoever wins the election. The asset is also going to a local charity, who will not make a cent out of this. I’d argue that this means indirectly the asset continues to belong to the people of New Plymouth.

On 2), my understanding is the charity has a powerful vision to work with the community of Marfell to transform the area and challenge many people’s current perceptions of the suburb. It is looking to use dynamic, innovative solutions to create low cost housing, and as a charity, be able to more easily tap into the generosity of the community. Housing NZ will always be a large government bureaucracy with competing national demands. If I had to bet on which organisation would be more successful in transforming this area of Marfell, I know who’d I’d be backing. Charlotte Littlewood New Plymouth

Airport agreement

So Peter Barker has done a survey the outcome of which is probably not very helpful simply because of the small number of participants and the fact that those against the proposal are more likely to express their feelings than those who are in favour.

But be that as it may and while it is interesting to have such figures, the point is really, how did this profligate proposal come to be in the first place?

I was a submitter against the proposal and my submission can be viewed at www.votenpdc.nz/ subm.html (with further notes at www.votenpdc.nz/article.html).

I agree entirely with Peter Barker that the hearing of the submissions was a complete waste of time and would like to add that the debate which followed (and made the decision to go ahead) was pathetic. It wasn’t a debate at all.

So what I would like to know is which, if any, of our ovine councillors it was that first raised this grandiose idea. Yes, I know we have this ‘all stick together after a decision’ thing, and we do know (thanks to a motion from Councillor McLeod), who voted against it. But where did it come from?

And that of course is the crux of the matter. Who actually runs this council? If it’s not those we elected then why bother voting, or why bother with elections at all? Are we getting value for money from our councillors? Paul Catchpole New Plymouth Opunake High School’s third form class of 1961 are holding a reunion this year to celebrate hitting three score and 10. Plans are to get together in New Plymouth and Opunake on the weekend of September 2-3. Dinner will be at The Plymouth on Saturday night followed by a lunch and a walk down memory lane in Opunake on the Sunday.

Those keen to join in can contact organisers Carolyn Coxhead (nee Robinson) and Rosemarie Knapman-Smith for further information and registration by July 31. Contact for Carolyn: carolyn.coxhead@gmail.com. Contact for Rosemarie: 021 132 2483 Carolyn Coxhead Opunake

Enough is enough

Have just watched the article on TV One (Wednesday July 19) re people presenting to hospital with problems that could have been avoided by vaccination. Children have them free, but maybe they should be free or minimal charge to everyone. And if someone presents with whatever problem that could have been prevented by vaccination, and if they have chosen not to get vaccinated, then they should be charged for the total hospital cost.

Believe there is a paediatrician overseas who totally refuses to let ‘unvaxxed’ children into his practice waiting room because he has so many children who have little, or totally no immunity because of their illnesses. It’s high time the DHB’s stood up and said enough is enough. Joce Matthews New Plymouth