‘Nasty’ take on Trump, and why we need more housing for elderly
A selection of letters to the editor from the last week.
Trump article ‘nasty’
I am astounded that the Taranaki Daily
News printed a harsh, blatant, totally biased article by Joe Bennett in the April 14 edition.
This article is a vicious, one-sided opinion piece and personal attack on an ex-president of the United States.
No matter one’s political leanings, this article is nasty.
Bennett appears to ignore the fact that 50% of America’s population disagrees with him and supports Trump.
Fair New Zealand reporting of American politics is lacking and needs addressing.
Trump’s trial is doomed to failure. It is being held in a Democratic city in a Democrat-run state, led by a Democrat prosecutor and overseen by a Democrat judge.
How could there possibly be a fair trial? This is reminiscent of a Communist country!
When one does not have the right to speak, the legal system has gone horribly wrong. It is the US’ legal system on trial here.
How can Bennett dare to say the world is finally turning the right way up? The US is in a mess with an inept president at its head and a giggly vice at his side?
Jeanette Hasell-back, New Plymouth
Don’t let Tarata Rd be forgotten
Regarding Tarata roading (RNZ report, April 15): Good article but it needs a follow-up article with a bit of investigative journalism.
Tarata/purangi is becoming the scapegoat for outside influences. Maybe a title like “What is ruining our roads” or “Another Forgotten World Highway”.
Main points could be – it is through traffic doing the damage (I believe the logging trucks cannot go through the Kiore tunnel so the Tarata road is the only option), traffic coming from as far afield as Taumarunui?
The road services not only Tarata/ Purangi district but an area roughly half the size of Taranaki.
So who should pay? Not the locals!
Let’s make sure this stretch of road doesn’t become an extension of the Forgotten World Highway. Please keep the stories flowing and I am sure the council will have to back down.
Merv George, former Tarata resident
Housing for elderly desperately needed
Housing and the New Plymouth District Council’s 10-Year Plan ... actually, housing gets barely a mention in the plan.
And that is a significant problem because all of us – except it seems the council – are aware of the effects of the baby boomer generation happening now.
We have a rapid increase in the number of older adults over the age of 65, and a dramatic increase in adults over the age of 85.
Age Sector NZ has stated that 61,121 retirement units will be needed within the next 10 years.
Statistics NZ estimates by 2040 approximately 600,000 people aged 65-plus will be renting. Many of them will be living alone.
More older adults will experience housing insecurity in the coming years unless the country dramatically increases its supply of affordable homes for people aged 65 and over, who make up roughly one-fifth of the population.
The council currently operates
145 housing units for the elderly in a self-funded model.
This approach is not keeping up with the need to upgrade and expand the housing stock.
We are proposing to create a working capital fund of approximately $4 million at a cost of $200,000 per annum to provide for:
■ Improvement and expansion of the housing for elderly service, noting that this is contrary to the current self-funding position of the Housing for the Elderly Policy.
■ Expanding the council’s role in the provision of housing beyond housing for the elderly.
Given the crisis facing housing for older people council’s current position demonstrates a clear lack of interest to the growing plight of so many of our older citizens.
An increasing share of people with low and fixed incomes will struggle to afford appropriate housing in the coming decade and we just don’t have the housing and supports that we need for this growing population.
What can you/we do? Contact your council and tell them your concerns regarding housing for older adults.
If you can, urgently contact the council by emailing a submission detailing your concerns to submissions@npdc.govt.nz or by going online to: npdc.govt.nz/10-yearplan
Affordable housing for vulnerable older adults in our community is a must, not a “nice to have”.
Gordon Hudson, Positive Ageing New Plymouth
Stop the salivating
“A letter to let us know how you really feel” – Yeah Right!
“All letters are published at the editor’s discretion” – as long it’s not something that Stuff doesn’t agree with e.g. fluoridation – that’s why the media are dying.
You salivate over your sensationalistic headlines but you won’t report/print anything that may offend anyone or anything you advocate for – that’s not reporting.
Millions of New Zealanders believe strongly in the New Zealand Bill of Rights and freedom of expression. This should always be upheld by Parliament, and any media. Ko ahau.
Russell Gilmer, New Plymouth