Few answers on ferry fund

The Chronicle (October 10) provided a timely reminder of the lack of accountability of Neville Johnson and Graham Adams, the public faces of the MidWest Ferries campaign, who last year were urging the people of Whanganui to donate towards a six-figure sum for the project.

But when the Chronicle tried to pose questions about progress, and what had happened to the money given by private individuals and businesses, both of these long-term Whanganui residents fell uncharacteristically silent.

Johnson, who advertises his company as “rapid repay mortgage specialists” is the company’s sole registered director. He claimed in May 2017 that they had raised $60,000 in just six weeks but that $100,000 was needed to pay consultants.

A target of $190,000 was mentioned by Wellington-based project director Nic Zangouropoulos at a public meeting I attended where Johnson handed out bank deposit details and said, in future, donors would be able to swap their contributions for his personal shares.

Adams, described as a MidWest trustee, cited his time as a former National Bank manager in claiming the project stacked up as an investment proposition. He’s also had long involvement in civic affairs and is now an elected health board member.

Notably, huge amounts of ongoing dredging will be required on the Whanganui River, which has government-appointed representatives to look after its interests, and through the internationally recognised bird sanctuary on Motueka Spit.

The Government’s Regional Development Fund is heavily concerned with Maori interests and it’s hard to see it approving funding for such an environmentally destructive proposal.

So many questions, so few answers.

If any donors have received explanations about what has happened to their money, how about sharing them on these pages?

CAROL WEBB

Whanganui

Recycling choices

Mayor Hamish has suggested that I reply to one or two letters that have suggested that the council has already made its mind up as to which (recycling) option A, B or C to take.

This is just to assure you that this is definitely not the case, and we are seriously looking to ratepayer feedback as to the community mind.

Some district councillors have looked at one or two other waste services provided in other cities (like Rotorua), and while these seem to have advantages, there are costs for all and for some, savings. We are very mindful of the effect that increased rates will have on many people.

On the other hand, we are also mindful that the levels of waste our generation is creating cannot continue, and we have to have a mindset of not just recycling, but also waste reduction and minimisation.

This will be an interesting project for the next council to carry forward. DAVID BENNETT

WDC Councillor.

‘Fonganui’ farce

If ever there was a clear example of the farcical and money wasting

dilemma this Fonganui, Funganui “H” debacle created, it has to be in the latest phone book, just received.

On the cover, we have Whanganui 2018/2019, then turn to page 114 and we have Wanganui White pages.

Now set in print and distributed, that will remain for at least the next 12 months, highlighting the confusion and ridicule about the “Tale of Two Towns” that this divisional “H” nonsense brought about.

LYNNE DOUGLAS

Whanganui

If any donors have

received explanations about what has happened to their money, how about sharing them

on these pages?

Slow traffic dangers

People keep making the error of making calls to lower speed limits to prevent traffic accidents.

Slow traffic causes congestion, congestion causes frustration, frustration causes people to make silly decisions and slow traffic causes drivers to lose concentration.

There will always be people who make mistakes.

When traffic is going faster, the gaps are bigger, and drivers are on full alert — not looking at the view out the side window, just the one in the front window, and if they are good drivers, one eye on the rear view mirrors. GR SCOWN Whanganui