A focus on environmental monitoring
Congratulations on a first class piece of investigative journalism with the story of damage to the Hakataramea River (Ecan ‘Let the public down’, September 22)
This is the most important work our newspapers and journalists do. The story is yet another very timely reminder that Environment Canterbury commissioners have put unmitigated expansion of agriculture ahead of their principle responsibility to protect waterways.
Agriculture and fresh water can be managed together for the benefit of both but that takes objective and effective leadership. It is unacceptable that this operation was by way of a non-notified consent and apparently
As is the case with all after hours enquiries and complaints, residents can contact the council on 03 687 7200, which is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Areas are also monitored by a combination of staff, contractors and residents, all of whom are quick to advise of any situations.
Bank closure
Regarding Friday’s headline ‘‘It’s all to do with money’’. Let me remind readers ‘‘you also reap what you sow’’. Cast your memory back to when we had our bank here in South Canterbury, South Canterbury Savings Bank, later Trust Bank, and what happened?
Let me remind you all the directors of the day chose to sell our bank for 30 pieces of silver to Westpac, the result in my eyes they caused the problem and we all suffer the consequences.
However in all the doom and gloom there is a simple solution. Join TSB but first read the TSB book and you will see they will not be bought or classed as a modern day Judas. Lawrence J Tyree Timaru
DHB election
So often we complain that we don’t have any say in what happening in unmonitored or inadequately monitored. We have a right to expect a great deal better than that and it is to be hoped that the elected our local community. At present we are in the middle of electing new councillors for their next term and I would encourage voters to look back at what the present incumbents who are seeking another term have done during their last term in office.
This is especially so with the Health Board. The closure of Talbot Hospital does not sit well with me especially with the large population of elderly we have in South Canterbury.
Therefore, when you look through the candidate handbook to vote, I would urge you to look at all candidates not just the ‘‘old heads’’. Steven Reid Pleasant Point
Syria crisis
As the rest of the world retreats into Protectionism, John Key is not alone, he has New Zealand behind him. Prime Minister John Key has blasted the United Nations Security Council’s lack of leadership regarding the crisis in Syria. John Key said he was deeply troubled at the Security Council’s failure to live up to its responsibilities on the most serious crisis of our time in Syria John Key also used the issue to urge member states to back Helen Clark as the UN’s next Secretary councillors will insist on significant performance improvements. St Andrews General. Helen Clark would be the one for the job, it is very sad that the World can not live in peace. Keep up the good work Prime Minister John Key, New Zealand is behind you. P Healey Temuka
Independence
I noticed that in the potted biographies some candidates label themselves as ‘‘Independent’’ and I have to wonder from what. In metropolitan areas candidates may have allegiance to political parties but never in my experience have councillors stood or been elected along party political lines in South Canterbury. I hope this will continue well into the future and that all councillors will always be politically independent and not need to advertise the fact. Dennis Pearce Timaru
To correspondents
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