Thought for today

Victoria Davis Takaka, July 11 Larry Petterson Nelson, July 11

Council spending

Is there truth in the well-founded rumour that the final cost overrun for the Greenmeadows project in Stoke will be $12 million? Twentythree extra staff were employed last year but Nelson City Council still cannot get the job done properly. What is most concerning is that the substance of this rumour is being denied and suppressed by council until after the local body elections in October.

The ratepayers have a right to know how their money is being spent – or wasted – by the current administration of council.

Dan McGuire

Nelson, July 10

Pine forestry

The surprising decision to replant the burnt forest with pine trees (Nelson Mail, June 14) needs to be questioned, especially in light of the recent news (‘‘Jobs risk in logs slump,’’ Mail, July 10). With pine logs continuing to flood the markets, it is unwise to think this slump will disappear any time soon.

We also read not long ago in the Mail that the bulk of the sediment problems in our bays are a result of pine forestation. We saw the devastating results of pine plantations in extreme rain events in Marahau, Pohara, Tolaga Bay, and other properties which were subjected to a tree avalanche from neighbouring pine forests. And then there is the ongoing wilding pine problem, which is costing huge money.

Native trees are said to be better in terms of carbon sequestering, and they provide food and habitat for our native birds.

‘Gagging’ councillors

Mayoral candidates are again making the mistake of claiming that they will create a team that is on the same page. The community votes for candidates based on their individual views. To do otherwise negates the very purpose of the voting process.

Due to the gagging effects on councillors of the Local Government Act, the Resource Management Act and Codes of Conduct, mayors have been able to shut down councillors who attempt to express their views, on the basis that they are deemed to be humiliating their fellow councillors. Because of this pressure, many starry-eyed new councillors, with rightful independent views, rapidly change into pawns of the system.

Defending a corrupt system must stop. Mayoral candidates must become aware of the damage that the democratic process is suffering.

Don’t give us the same old platitudes and cliche´ s about what great deeds you have done. Commit to recognising that the local government system has been cunningly manipulated by the establishment to self-serve, which has left the people with little to no voice. Ask anyone who has tried.

Candidates must pledge to work very hard to return councils to the people, not defend the indefensible. Otherwise, voting is a waste of time.

Kerry Neal

Nelson, July 11

Racism

That’s A Bit Racist, currently showing on TV, misses the point a bit.

We bandy about the word ‘‘racist’’ or ‘‘racism’’ an awful lot these days, but it seems to me that those who most bring out the race card don’t know where the sentiment comes from. We are not generally anti-race or anti-skin colour. We are anti-behaviour.

The young Maori bloke who complained about the older woman who clutched her handbag more tightly at the sight of him undoubtedly had tattoos and dreads. A similarly decorated white boy would have evoked the same reaction.

It’s said that we shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover – but of course we do. A couple of months ago, an ex-prisoner (white) was complaining that prejudice was preventing him from getting a job, but he had DEVAST8 tattooed right across his face. Duh!