Council not biting on talk of Alexandra rat plague
THIS letter is addressed to the
Central Otago District Council, by a ratepayer. Alexandra has a plague of rats. No doubt you already know this and have been directing complainants to a firm in town that helps with rat cages — this is what happened to me when I asked for help.
Many elderly folk can’t deal with getting rid of live rats.
My point is: this is your town, your ratepayers, and you are obliged to help. This plague is at epic proportions. You are responsible, whether you like it or not.
I have a friend who was being eaten by a rat as she slept. Yes, here. A wee while ago, but it happened.
Please do something before it gets worse.
J. Patterson
Alexandra
[Central Otago District Council chief executive Sanchia Jacobs replies:
‘‘We are sorry to hear about J. Patterson’s rat challenges. It is not an issue we have observed in our own Alexandra buildings recently, nor is rat control a specific function of CODC. In the event we did discover a rat problem in our buildings, we would contact a local pest control provider with the relevant skills and equipment to deal with it.]
Railways
THE Taieri Gorge rail equation: heavy rail v light rail. It’s a pretty easy question, really.
Old locomotives and carriages weighing 200,000kg or new EVpowered rail cars with four passengers and bicycle racks weighing 800kg gross. Low impact on track gear, although ongoing maintenance will still be required on bridges.
The tourist model is already up and running on the Stratford to Taumaranui ‘‘Forgotten Highway’’ with EV bus links at each end. Not a bad day out.
Just make room for the ‘‘new age pilgrims’’ on the road to Foulden Maar. Herein lies a whole new chapter in ecotourism. Is there any prospect of a mountain bike track from Mt Stoker back to Hindon? Questions remain about track ownership and concession fees. Transport logistics is strictly the domain of private enterprise. Leave the council to do what it does best — marketing and clipping the ticket.
Take a seat and let the golden age of adventure rail travel begin.
Peter Grant
Oamaru