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Courageous opinion
Andy Dunn is to be commended for the compassion he expressed towards those who have lost their livelihoods through vaccine mandates (Hibiscus Matters Viewpoint, November 22, 2021). Since then, contributors to Your Opinion have vilified Andy for his opinion and stated that the decision to be vaccinated is ‘simple’ and people losing jobs should ‘just get vaccinated’. However, the decision is not that simple or straightforward for everyone. I believe it is right to dig deeper, ask critical questions, engage in discussion and be free to make a choice based on personal circumstances without the fear of judgment or reprisal. The world needs critical thinkers, who are entitled to have a different opinion. These people do not deserve to be stigmatised nor discriminated against by society. I congratulate Andy for having the courage of his convictions to speak the truth as he sees it, along with countless others.
Dahlia Plover, Red Beach
Penlink “stunt”
My concern is the Government’s Penlink “stunt”. It is poorly planned, poorly designed and is already totally inadequate. I live on Whangaparāoa Road and the traffic at peak hours even with the two lanes/one lane arrangement is diabolic. To design and plan a road to be only one lane each way as planned for Penlink is madness but this Government will be crowing that they have actually done something, albeit something which will be not much better than useless. And then there is the idea of tolls. Their harebrained idea of a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Auckland Harbour didn’t have tolls, so why should those of us who choose to live on the peninsular have to pay tolls? If any government cannot supply and provide the necessary infrastructure without the extra financial burden as well as taxation on its people they shouldn’t be in charge. So people of Whangaparāoa Peninsula unite and demand that Penlink be four lanes and definitely no tolls.
Jim Radich, Red Beach (abridged)
Dotterels update?
We are new to the area and love your local paper! In particular we were amazed to read the story about the dotterels on Manly Beach and the residents caring for them (HM December 20). Keen to know how they are doing?
Angela Dawson, Red Beach
Editor’s note: Thanks Angela – and welcome to the Coast! There is good news and bad news re the dotterels. Not long after that paper went to print, two chicks hatched. One was later found dead. The other continues to grow, and last week Forest & Bird tagged it (see photo below) so it can be identified in future. Forest and Bird’s Jenny Hanwell thanked the residents who have the nests on their properties, as well as those walking the beach who kept their distance.
