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Coward’s stance
In your report of the recent Rodney Local Board meeting (MM Dec 19), it was with dismay that I read that two members abstained from voting on this issue after having voiced reservations on accepting the new name (for the Matakana link road). It is a shame these two members didn’t have the courage to vote, instead taking the coward’s stance and abstaining. They should both resign immediately and give the position to people who stand up for their convictions.
Geoff Turtley, Warkworth.
MP effort appreciated
I was sorry to learn that list MP Marja Lubeck, who lives in the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate and does a huge amount of work here, is going to retire at the 2023 elections.
What a loss for this area, as she has put in a huge amount of work advocating for local issues. She pressed the government for money for the dredging of the Mahurangi River, no tolls on the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway, funds to start the Penlink road and opposition to the Dome Valley landfill, to name just a few.
And always Marja has had time to support local activities and local causes. All this as a list MP, not as electorate MP. She has achieved more for this area in her six years in Parliament than the succession of absentee electorate MPs, who are more interested in being career politicians, have done in the last 60 years.
Current MP Chris Penk doesn’t live in the electorate and nor did John Key when he lived in Remuera and represented Helensville.
A big thank you to Marja for her unstinting efforts on our behalf.
Neil Anderson, Algies Bay
Fire thanks
The men and women from the various fire crews that attended a cliff face fire at Martin’s Bay during the recent New Year holiday weekend are nothing short of heroes.
At least three of our houses on the clifftop may not be here if we hadn’t had the fire services in attendance. We cannot thank them enough.
Throughout the long New Year holiday period, various fire crews from as far away as Glen Eden and Mangawhai laboured tirelessly to ensure that the fire didn’t spread further or severely compromise local homes.
These fire crews, over three-and-half days and nights, many of them volunteers, managed a very dangerous and difficult situation on a steep slope in very high winds. We were very impressed with the way the fire service managed the situation, bringing in replacement crews over the weekend and ensuring that everyone was updated, and residents kept informed.
Fire crews communicated politely and sensitively with each other and with affected residents – and we observed a high degree of cooperation and comradeship amongst these experienced firefighting professionals.
We are indebted to these men and women who gave up a good deal of their holiday weekend to keep us safe and prevent further damage to a beautiful part of NZ’s landscape.
This experience has been a learning one and has made us even more aware of the incredible dangers, and the emotional and financial costs, of lighting recreational fires and using fireworks without proper due diligence and responsible care.
Thank you once again. You are Heroes!
Pam and Baz Dun, Mahurangi East
Freedom camping angst
Port Albert is for freedom campers, yet we have had people living in their cars. One person lived in his car for three months until I repeatedly complained about the smell, the rubbish he was leaving behind and the attraction of people who came to smoke dope.
At first, the compliance officers were fantastic and finally got a security guard to visit and several people got in their cars and made a mass exit.
Over summer, families have been able to enjoy the playground and have picnics without having to put up with people living in their cars or staying more than two nights.
I have been in contact with two compliance officers, and both have said they are working on getting signs put in, having security monitor the area and putting bollards along the grass area, which protects the grass especially in winter.
There was a community meeting last March where locals got together with [Rodney Local Board member] Colin Smith and addressed these issues, but still nothing has been done.
Coming up soon, the gypsies will be here for a couple of weeks and they circle the whole grass area, so no local families feel comfortable staying. The locals who come to fish sometimes have no room to put their trailers, which is not fair to them either.
The last time I rang council, I was told by the customer service rep that my call would be recorded but nothing would be done unless I rang back after 7pm. Why do I have to do this? Is it because Council is tired of me ringing, as they see me as annoying?
But why advertise that these are freedom camping sites for two nights if they are not going to police it or put up signs so campers know the rules? There are no signs at Port Albert.
Name & address supplied
