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In Mayor’s pocket
So the Rodney Local Board supported a 3.5 per cent rate increase on the one condition that Mayor Goff added in $1 million for road sealing. Goff got through his 3.5 per cent rates increase but the extra money was not added. So who conned who? Goff is even boasting that all of the Local Boards across Auckland supported him unanimously, but without a single peep of rebuttal from the chair of the Rodney Local Board. Why not? Looking past the smoke and mirrors, it’s not hard to see who is in whose pocket.
Catherine Ashby, Wellsford
Board must listen
Regarding “Sayers blasts Board for road sealing fail” (MM August 5). Well said Greg, it’s about time someone stood up to the Rodney Local Board. They have become a law unto themselves. They need to start listening to the people who voted for them, instead of interpreting it how they want to, regardless of public opinion. They need to be more open and transparent. What happened to all the promises of road sealing, perhaps not glamorous enough for them? A shiny new park and ride that cost $5 million, for bus trips that we subsidise to the tune of about $90 per passenger? Oh, and the rate rise that 75 per cent of submissions said should be 2.5 per cent or less. Apparently, they thought we didn’t understand the question and voted against the people they represent. Greg, glad to know that at least you care. Thank you, Greg. Follow your conscience for us.
Ruth Morrow, Kaipara Flats.
Track troubles
As a frequent user of Warkworth’s off-road pathways, I was excited by the prospect of an extension of the Kowhai Park to Heritage Lane track that would connect with the Showgrounds (MM July 1). This initial excitement has turned to disbelief and disappointment. This most laudable project to connect two points not 150 metres apart, which could be completed quickly and inexpensively, has morphed into a massive undertaking currently expected to cost almost $1,000,000. Of course, the official word is that due to this ludicrous cost it will not be built any time soon. One would think that the joy of walking, running or cycling in the bush would be enhanced more by keeping the impact on our world to a minimum. The soft ground underfòot, the forest canopy, the bird life and subdued light all have a calming and restorative effect and is what draws us to this environment. Building a gigantic bridge and bulldozing what amounts to a small road and paving it with 1000 tonnes of concrete does not do it for me, and neither does the fact that I’ll probably have died of old age before it is built. Does anyone else feel the same?
Peter Melling, Warkworth
Bureaucratic Stupidity
When Winston Peters uses the term BS in Parliament, we all know what he means. As far as the Auckland Council goes, it can also mean Bureaucratic Stupidity. I refer to the proposal to close off the left turning lane from Sandspit Rd down to Sandspit, or into Sharp Rd, at the point where Mahurangi Rd commences (MM June 17). The existing lane allows left turning traffic from Warkworth to slow down to a safe speed to make the turn, without impeding the traffic proceeding to Snells/Algies. I have simulated making the U-turn into Sharp Rd under the proposed change, and it means slowing to 15km/h to do it safely. What will happen to following traffic wanting to go straight ahead to Snells/Algies doesn’t bear thinking about. Far from improving safety, as the Council claims as the reason for the change, it will increase the risk of rear-end collisions as through traffic brakes to avoid turning traffic. Bureaucratic Stupidity indeed. Save the money, and spend it on Sandspit Road where it is currently signposted at 30km/h.
Reg West, Matakana
Praise for crossing
I wish to say a huge thank you to the Warkworth Area Liaison Group, who in conjunction with One Warkworth, fought tirelessly to improve the Hill Street intersection. The new pedestrian crossing is wonderful. Crossing was dangerous and frequently felt life-threatening. Now residents of Totara Park Retirement Village can cross safely when they need to shop. School children can safely walk to school. What an improvement! Thank you.
Heather Provan, Warkworth
Coffee dilemma
I really enjoy a flat white coffee, but also am trying to reduce my environmental footprint. As New Zealanders, we consume an astounding 295 million cups of takeaway coffee a year. Paper cups might seem like a good option but on its own, paper cannot hold liquid, so baristas pour coffee into cups lined with polyethylene, a plastic that functions as a moisture barrier. The lining must be separated from the cup before the paper portion can be recycled and only 11 facilities in the country process compostable cups, so the majority of single-use cups end up in landfill. Dealing with landfill is becoming an increasing problem as we all know. Locally there is currently a proposal to open another landfill waste site in the Dome Valley, which will bring a huge increase in heavy traffic on an already dangerous piece of highway. What can we do to address this issue that still allows us to enjoy our coffee but limits the number of cups being sent to landfill? Keep cups are a great solution and some coffee outlets even charge a little less for your daily fix. The challenge is remembering to take them where ever you go. Remember, every time you use a keep cup it is one less item for the landfill. Using them will also hopefully change the culture of takeout coffees.
Anne Ronaldson, Matakana
