Proud of Hamilton’s ethical role

Hamilton has a reputation for being representative of New Zealand. That’s why politicians scrutinise Hamilton polls to see which way we are leaning.

During the 1981 Springbok tour, it wasn’t until Prime Minister Robert Muldoon saw Hamiltonians protesting against apartheid that he cancelled the games. An astute politician, he knew that as Hamilton goes, so goes New Zealand.

So it was not surprising renown Palestinian journalist, poet and playwright Samah Sabawi (currently living in Australia), made a point of visiting Hamilton on her recent New Zealand speaking tour. On February 18, Ms Sabawi addressed a capacity crowd of Hamiltonians.

We learned that during the 20 years (1993-2013) of the Oslo peace process (in which Arafat agreed to recognise Israel and to surrender claims to land taken by Israel in the 1967 War), the position of the Palestinian people had only worsened. While ‘‘talking peace’’, Israel destroyed 20,000 Palestinian homes and confiscated the land for illegal, Jews-only settlements. While ‘‘talking peace’’, Israel built 441 additional miles (710km) of apartheid wall, isolating and fragmenting Palestinian people. These incursions ignore UN resolutions and have been condemned by the International Court of Justice. The recent bombing of Gaza created an even grimmer picture.

Despite all this, Ms Sabawi remained hopeful. The international BDS Movement (Boycott, Divestment, Sanction) is gaining momentum. For example, in England Tesco supermarkets have dropped all Israeli products. Here in Hamilton, the BDS protest at Pak ’n Save, has forced retailers to consider the ethics of sourcing products from a state that disregards international law.

As Hamiltonians, we can be proud of the ethical consumer role

INSANITY STREAK

Expand theatre

I agree with Hilton Woodroofe ( Waikato Times, February 21) about the Founders Theatre. It should not be pulled down. I believe the backstage just needs enlarging and there is room for that to be done behind, but we don’t all expect ‘‘lilo’’ comfort when we go to a show. M JACKSON Hamilton

Job – or pension

While everyone and his dog is aware that there is a fiscal disaster looming for the few taxpaying children of the selfish baby boomers if old age pension payments remain as they are, the first step in dealing with the problem has nothing to do with raising the age of eligibility.

Quite simply, those candidates who continue to receive income from wages, salary and/or selfemployment should be made ineligible. That would remove a significant number of pensioners, thus reducing the bill substantially.

It might be that, given this scenario, many candidates would opt to give up employment. If so, that would open up employment opportunities for those currently on the dole – another good effect.

After that first step is implemented, the second step can be considered later, if necessary. LEO LEITCH Benneydale

Dangerous precedent

In January, river end residents of Cook St received notification of a proposal to construct a whopping great building, 10 storeys high at No 1 Cook St, just below Waikato Environment. Deloitte’s building on the river bank beside the Victoria Bridge is four storeys. We suspect many Hamilton East residents don’t know about this.

The river end of Cook St is a primary access way to the Waikato River path walkways. It’s a favourite with pedestrians, families, walkers with pets and cyclists. Increased traffic associated with this proposed development would increase accident risk. Shadows cast, as well as the construction itself, could adversely affect the beautiful 100-plus-year-old plane tree at the bottom of Cook St.

Loss of the existing building at No 1 is undesirable. It’s part of the history of Hamilton East ‘‘village’’. Best use for this property is to continue to be used as a cafe, restaurant or event venue.

If the proposal were approved, it would be a dangerous precedent for other incompatible development proposals, and the character of Hamilton East as a village would be destroyed.

A building as massive as proposed is totally out of sympathy with the character of the village and is best suited to inner city development. JENNY FRASER Hamilton

Take it to the city

With reference to the 10-storey office block proposed for No 1 Cook St: I was astounded to read developer Ross Vernal quoted as saying ‘‘he never intended to keep the Riverview Function Centre’’. As close neighbours, we were consulted about his original plan for a multistorey apartment block, which did not proceed. The development was scaled down to the Riverview Wine Bar and Cafe in the existing building. At no stage that I’m aware of did Mr Vernall indicate that the wine bar was a stop-gap measure to accommodate his grandiose longterm plans. The original house was splendidly restored with what looked like to us, who pass it daily, no expense spared. We were there when it opened on September 9, 2011, and looked forward to regular visits. But there were few opportunities, as it was hardly ever open to the public.

Given that Mr Vernall never intended to keep it – was it ever intended to succeed?

Hospitality flourishes in Hamilton East and, given half a chance, the Riverview Wine Bar and Cafe (before it morphed into the Riverview Function Centre) would have been a good fit. A 10-storey office block bringing hundreds of cars into a dead end street is not.

If the Hamilton City Council is genuine in its desire to revive downtown Hamilton, let Mr Vernall spend his millions there. ROSALEEN McCARROLL Hamilton

Ruining a suburb

Russell Armitage ( Waikato Times, February 28) is confused. Hamilton East is not ‘‘inner city’’; it is a suburb with its own character. He is also confused if he thinks a 10-storey mixed-use tower in Hamilton East will ease traffic congestion. It will aggravate the existing congestion on Grey, Clyde and Bridge streets, especially at peak times. The proper place for such a proposal is the inner city; ie, between Tristram Ave, Victoria, Bridge and Rostrevor streets. The inner city needs such development. There is a glut of empty buildings that could be redeveloped to provide the capacity proposed by Mr Vernall.

Any proposal for Hamilton East should comply with the height limits, and provide at least the minimum number of onsite car parks for the intended use. The current proposal breaches both these requirements. A more modest proposal for the redevelopment of No 1 Cook St that complied with the height limits and car parking requirements would be welcome.

The Hamilton City Council has the responsibility to enforce its existing planning rules. The danger of a development as proposed is that it sets a precedent, we could expect similar proposals all along the river from Hayes Paddock to the Pukete Bridge. HUGH McCARROLL Hamilton

Dealing with drink drivers

Drink drivers nicked again and again, an article by Elton Smallman reported recently.

We keep putting these drivers back on the road. It is obvious the punishments are not working. There is only one way to deal with these people: take the offender and his/her car to the nearest scrap dealer and let said offender watch it being crushed. JULIE COLLINS Hamilton

Keep us in mind

I was interested to read your lead story of Friday, February 27, warning of the ‘‘grey tsunami’’. Although the article focuses on the ensuing problems this will have for the New Zealand workforce, the greying population will also have an impact on health service providers, as people who live longer will require ongoing care in the community.

As a trustee of Alzheimers Waikato, and involved in the rebuilding of the organisation in the past five years, this warning is nothing new. We know that about 50 per cent of people over 85 will develop some sort of a dementia and that many are living to this age with the improved health services available. As well as this factor, with the introduction of the Map of Medicine, which supports GPs to diagnose dementias in the primary health setting, as well as the development of specialist Memory Services, people are being diagnosed earlier. This puts a further burden on the services provided by Alzheimers Waikato to people with dementia and their families.

Alzheimers Waikato is the only organisation that provides these supports in the community. Dementia is a terminal disease but it can take many years for the disease to run its course, and we walk the entire journey with these families, from the time of diagnosis to death.

It is heartening to hear that DHB chairman Bob Simcock believes ‘‘it is important for the region to understand the implications of an ageing population’’, as this is something that concerns us daily as we struggle to respond to an everincreasing number of referrals.

We trust that this sector of our population is not forgotten as the health services plan for the ‘‘grey tsunami’’. ROBYN RIDDLE Hamilton