Brolly appreciated
Mac Hine, Whangaparaoa
Anzac Day at the RSA was lovely and sunny, and although my wife had remembered her sunglasses this year, the sun still proved to be too hot for comfort. A lady seated next to us obviously felt the same and returned to her car for an umbrella. She also brought a spare one for my wife. This made the whole programme most pleasant and enjoyable. Turning to hand back the umbrella we found that she had already departed. This left my wife in the embarrassing position of being unable to return the umbrella or thank the lady for her kindness.My wife would, through this paper, like to invite this lady for a cup of coffee, extra thanks, and the return of her brolly. Please ring 428 2994 to arrange.
Poor road design
Ashley Sim, Manly
The ‘red marking on Whangaparaoa Rd’ piece in Feedback (HM May 2) highlights the problems that arise through bad design on our roading network. Looking at the area and setback to the building lines I would have thought there was ample room to design a better feed into the supermarket than the slow tight left turn coming from the west. The busstop there surely could have been moved closer to the commercial boundary rather than sticking out into the main flow of traffic.
Youth Centre review
Hellen Wilkins, HBC Youth Centre chair (abridged)
In response to the article in Hibiscus Matters’ May 2 edition – the HBC Youth Centre is operated as an Incorporated Society, under the governance of a Board of Directors, on behalf of the community. The annual operating costs are funded by multiple agencies, such as Lotteries, Foundation North, Auckland Council and Local Board grants, supplemented by revenue generated from school and holiday programmes. Due to the facility being a charity and heavily reliant on grants, the Board of Directors reviews strategies monthly based on the forecasted funds available. Ceasing of a $60,000 Ministry of Justice Grant in 2015 is one example of why strategies and operations need to remain fluid, adjusting around fluctuating and ‘never to be taken for granted’ funding levels. The ongoing pursuit to secure funding resulted in the Board of Directors seeking a more long-term financial solution. A submission was written to Council and the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board, to secure annual funds in the Long Term Plan/10 year budget. Such long term funding would bring the Youth Centre in line with similar facilities in Auckland. An ongoing commitment such as this from Council and the Local Board would markedly assist the ongoing financial stability of the establishment. The Youth Centre’s suggestion of a 360° Strategic Review was picked up by the Local Board in response to this submission from the Youth Centre, who are enthusiastic and supportive in regards to changes this review may bring. While these review processes are undertaken, the Youth Centre will continue to adjust strategies and staffing levels as needed to ensure essential youth services, programmes and safe spaces for the wider community are delivered.
Boulders please
Maurice and Rita Browning, Orewa
My husband and I visited Waiwera Beach one day last week and were intrigued what was happening on the beach there. There were workers moving huge boulders to create the sea wall (HM May 2). Talking to one of the works staff we were told they were moving to Hatfields Beach next. We were on ‘our’ beach in Orewa since and the sand was being moved – to what avail? Why on earth can they not put boulders there? Surely it’s a waste of time to keep moving the sand when everyone knows we will continue to have such high tides?
Column raises hackles
Mike Taylor, Orewa
Looking at the Hibiscus Matters lately, it’s beginning to look like a propaganda tool of the National Party, four pictures of the local MP and a lengthy tirade in the Viewpoint column in the last edition. Thank goodness we will get the view of the other parties in the next edition (see Viewpoint, p7). However your publication should be doing what you do best and that is bringing the local news to us and not the whinging of politicians of any stripe especially those who did nothing about the problems that now have to be dealt with after nine years in power. Most people will agree that action on climate change is well overdue and may be too late so I can’t see how a graduated reduction in oil exploration in the world’s roughest seas can be viewed negatively, and the lack of “common courtesy” to the people of Taranaki in keeping them informed. There was precious little “common courtesy” from the local MP’s lot when they unilaterally, almost overnight, announced that the various local councils were to be merged into one giant Auckland, or the sell off at bargain basement prices of our assets against the will of the people according to the polls. There was no housing shortage and people living in cars before the last lot came along. However this is not a time to make the current government’s lot harder, we should all get behind them for the good of our country and our people, and not argue over Party political politics.
Editor’s note: The column is the writer’s Viewpoint only, and within that column we expect that strong views will be expressed by local politicians of all stripes. Those views are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers.
More needed at Plaza
Sue Stewart, Manly
Coast Plaza is my local shopping centre and I was disappointed to see it has not sold (HM May 2). The work planned, while it looks okay, seems to be along the same lines as what was done on the outside opposite the library a year or so ago – cosmetic fixer uppers, although it’s good to see some new tenants coming in. Meanwhile staff at shops I visit frequently in the Plaza tell me there are leaks and other issues with the building. Really, to make it work some significant investment needs to go in – ideally a complete rebuild. It is in an ideal central location so why not build a centre we can all be proud of? Sadly, on this track record, I don’t think the current owners are taking on that level of challenge.
Unfair treatment
Lorraine Sampson, Silverdale
I was amazed to read of the money to be spent on extending the Orewa Boulevard (HM April 18 and May 2), while yet again the Silverdale Village area is being made to wait. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have already been spent on the Boulevard while in the Village there are old uneven cobblestones where weeds grow. The street furniture is long in need of repainting even though Council tells me they have no money! There is no safe pedestrian crossing from the Business Park to the Village and people run across the highway as the underpass is not safe – especially for women alone. Plus the kerbs are laden with silt and grass growth at the entry and exit for the Village. It is interesting to note that the paths in Orewa are mainly nice brick paths plus they are kept swept clean. Take a look at the paths from the Village up to Wainui Road. and see the difference. It is time for the Village not to be treated as second class citizens while more money is being poured into Orewa. As a reminder, the long awaited traffic lights were on the former Rodney District Council list back in 1976.
