My Account
Shocked at dog owners
I feel compelled to write to you after reading the article in your paper (MM February 14) about Shelley Sage and the dog that knocked her over and what she has had to go through. I am shocked and angered to read that the people around her with the dogs said and did nothing to assist when it happened. Unbelievable that people there at Omaha could be so irresponsible and have such a callous response to what happened. Shame on all of them. There must be people who live there, or were at their holiday homes, who may know the persons and dogs involved. They should come forward and, hopefully, identify the dog owner so they could at least offer Shelley an apology for what happened. A follow up article may help. It may trigger some remorse from those involved, who took no action, to perhaps redeem themselves. Poor Shelley’s holiday was ruined and her world turned upside down with a serious injury. Come on, residents of Omaha. I feel this reflects very badly on your whole community. Try and do something to bring those thoughtless, inconsiderate people to account. An apology is the least they could do. It has been said that this world could be a better place if everyone did a little act of kindness every day. Let’s at least try once a week. Shelley was in need that day, and I can’t believe no one did anything. A sad day.
Isabel Harris, Matakana
Shelley is tops
Thank you for the front-page article about Shelley Sage (MM February 14). I was sad for her to receive such injuries while taking a holiday up on the coast. I was fortunate to meet Shelley in her legal capacity 25 years ago in Auckland when she was appointed as lawyer for a family I was working with. I have wondered if Shelley still practiced. I was so impressed at the time with how successful and genuine she was in her role with the family – a long-term complicated situation that she handled well for everyone involved. I hope she can resolve her own situation and receive some healing as she deserves, and hopefully an apology from the people involved who ignored her injuries.
Susan Saunders, North Wellsford
Matakana thanks
A big thank you to all the people who came to the dedication of the drinking water fountain to my late husband, Joe Polaischer, in Matakana Village last Saturday, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of his death. And a special thanks to Christine and Richard Didsbury for erecting the fountain. The people in Joe’s home village, Thal in Austria, will be proud that their native son has been recognised as a passionate environmentalist and inspiration behind the Matakana Farmer’s Market, on the other side of the world. Thal is the same village that Arnold Schwarzenegger grew up in and there is an Arnie museum and an Arnie trail in Thal for visitors and fans to enjoy. Not far from the Arnie museum there is a small park (pictured below), which was dedicated to Joe’s memory the year after he died and planted with heritage fruit trees. A plaque at the entrance calls Joe ‘the great ecologist’ so, to the people of Thal, Joe is right up there with Arnie!
Trish Allen, Matakana
NAG, give it a rest
Ah, for once, no item about Bill Townson and Northern Action Group (NAG) in your last publication (MM February 14). I am pleased. I think it is now too late to turn back the clock. Many residents of Rodney, including myself, accept that we are part of a larger Auckland, which brings benefits (and some downsides). The idea of creating and spinning off yet another local body is not realistic. The Local Government Commission has investigated the question and made its decision. We should let this matter rest there.
Craig Rickit, Snells Beach
Good one Greg
Congratulations and a solid thank you to Greg Sayers for his highly interesting and informative article about what is actually going on within Auckland Council (MM February 14). Keep up the good work Mr Sayers. Myself, and all of my neighbours are fully behind you. We appreciate the breath of fresh air you are delivering.
Catherine Ashby, Wellsford
Road rage
Our unsealed roads are a danger to our physical (and my mental) health and to the suspension of our cars. When I moved into Anderson Road, 23 years ago, the metal road was adequate for the five properties it served. But now that number has increased to 30. Maintenance is so shoddy that when the potholes are finally filled in they reappear within a week, and the corrugations make our teeth rattle. This unsealed part of the road is a bottomless pit for our rates, while in contrast, a short, cheaply sealed part of the road has held up for 15 years and only now had to be redone. Probably a third of our unsealed roads are now so busy that it would be economic to put a cheap seal on and forget them for the next 15 years. However, the intellectual giants at Auckland Transport have no idea how much is spent on an individual road because they pay the contractor a fixed sum for all roads. This means that the less a contractor does, the more money he makes. A bit more intellectual vigour by the highly paid managers at Auckland Transport would be most welcome.
K H Peter Kammler, Matakana
