LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
RECYCLING RUBBISH
Your report (June 21) that the future of the recycling centre is under scrutiny. Surprise, surprise!
If any project was set up to fail, this must be it. The reasons for the under-use of the ‘‘facility’’ at Park Street are very clear. The site is tucked away with minimal signage. The uncovered structure for placing plastic and glass items is placed on steps that become dangerous to users after rain. For potential users who may be elderly or to some degree infirm, it is safer to walk away, given the inadequacy of handrail provision. The bins for paper waste are wedged in a partly open position which makes their use very difficult.
Limitation of collection to three days per week is manifestly inadequate. Costs quoted appear to be quite nebulous - why was only one tender invited, when there are at least three contractors who could have quoted? The option of ‘‘cardboard cages’’ offered by Mr Wallach is reminiscent of the Goon Show - one can imagine them being turned into pulp after one good rainstorm.
Perhaps a poll of would-be users would provide some sensible answers to this fiasco. Or is there no will by council to pursue this matter ?
John Allen
Upper Hutt
WE DESERVE BETTER
I read with interest the opinion of Reg Newell in the June 21 edition titled ‘‘So crime happens during the working week’’. Our business can attest to this first hand and felt relieved that some sense was being applied to what is essentially a very simple issue.The small business community of Upper Hutt deserve better, the people of Upper Hutt deserve better, and to be absolutely fair, the Police themselves deserve better.
What we have here is the lack of political will to address the issue. I am not sure that I agree entirely with Mr Newell’s assertion that police chief’s have that much say over the matter, and in fact I would point my attention to political leaders both local and nationally.
However I couldn’t agree more with Mr Newell when he states that with the absence of a strong police presence in the community, we are deprived of intelligence about what is going on. As business owners, we can tell you what is going on, and it’s not pretty. Just a shame that the decision makers are not listening, or as the case may be, choosing
WRITE TO US
Do you feel strongly about an issue in your community or have something to say about our city? Contact us at editor@uhleader.co.nz or via Neighbourly. Please include your full name, address and contact number. No anonymous letters will be accepted. Letters are published at the editor’s discretion and may be abridged. not to listen to our calls for a police station that is adequately resourced to address the growing rates of crime.
Talani Meikle
Upper Hutt
FOODBANK WELL STOCKED
I would like to express my appreciation to those residents of the city who kindly supported the Upper Hutt Foodbank’s Appeal on Saturday 27 May, donating grocery items and money.
We are nowwell positioned to face what for many in the community is a very difficult time. Thanks also to all of the volunteers who manned the collection points, and to the four local Supermarkets, Silverstream New World, Pak’N Save Upper Hutt and Countdown Maidstone and Queen St, for allowing us a presence outside their stores.
Further contributions of groceries or cash can still be delivered direct to the Foodbank at 64 Martin St, during our open hours which are from 9.00 am - 11.45 am, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (except for Public Holidays).
Lance Hurly
Chairperson
THAT TWEET
Asked during Questions for Oral Answer (Parliament, June 20) about her tweet re rather being ‘‘on the water’’ than meeting with the disabled, Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner said she had apologised unreservedly and would never do anything to hurt the disabled community.
When asked what had been the feedback to the tweet, she said it had been ‘‘mixed’’ from the disabled community, and that she was disappointed that this tweet had received a lot more publicity than her tweets about three years of work with the disabled had over that time.
Surely such a vulnerable group of people shouldn’t be expected to accept any minister allocated to them as if a government knew what was good for them.
I think future ministers of disability issues should be chosen by the disability organisations themselves from a choice of at least two government MPs wanting that Cabinet portfolio.
Heather Mackie
Trentham