A very big thank you to this gentleman.
Ruth Cummins, Mount Maunganui
Beauty in the Bay
Last week I was privileged to be at the official opening of the city's newest jewel.
The TECT Arena at Baypark just sparkled and reminded me of a beautiful bride on her wedding day as I and 140 others enjoyed what I can only describe as the perfect start to a new "lifestyle feature facility" for the region.
To Howard, Allan, Eric, Hawkins, councils, TECT and everyone involved in bringing the new centre to life, on time and under budget, take a bow. Job well done.
To the TCVL team at Baypark charged with maximising the TECT Arena for the greater good, we wish you the very best with your endeavours.
You couldn't want for a better facility.
To the people of Tauranga who want to see where $25 million of your rates have gone, get along to an event of your choice and check out what everyone will be talking about over the next month or so.
Or, pop along for a great coffee in the new cafe in the foyer where local people serve locally blended coffee and foods.
To the rest, get along and enjoy what must surely be the crown in the region's growing stock of facilities.
Good job everyone.
Graeme Martin, Bay Events Limited
Bring on the Cup
With reference to Wendy Galloway's letter (Cup ignored, Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, August 20) I am somewhat confused as to the writer's intent in describing the Rugby World Cup as a non-event.
Sure, many South Australians, Londoners and Romans will not be the slightest bit interested.
On the other hand, I have Australian, English and Canadian friends who are talking eagerly about the Cup.
Like Wendy, I have just recently returned from an overseas trip and people I met in Paris and in central/southwestern France are certainly talking about it.
A quick scan of the internet reveals prominent Australian and English newspapers and, yes - even an Italian newspaper, have articles about the Cup.
So I am not sure of the point of Wendy's inaccurate, negative letter. And if the Cup is in her opinion such a non-event, why has she felt the need to go into print about it and so publicise it?
For my part, and my overseas friends, and the thousands of overseas visitors who will be here for it, I can't wait for the Rugby World Cup event to begin!
Ross Haycock, Tauranga
Call for change
"Shortfall reality" from Stuart Crosby (Your View, August 24). What this letter confirms is that Tauranga City Council and staff have not been doing their jobs properly for a number of years. The excuse that there was "insufficient information to charge a contribution in the early years" does not hold water. This is a very weak excuse.
Together with admissions that this major deficit was discussed by the council in 2007, and then no action was taken, is an indictment on both council and staff.
It is very trite to state that "some growth-related infrastructure that may well have been expected to be paid by development contributions will now be funded by rates". It is so easy for council to dump it on to the ratepayers without one little twinge of conscience. As far as ratepayers are concerned (no matter what Crosby says) council debt has been increased by $32.5 million and as a consequence rates will be increased by up to 3 per cent pa.
Ratepayers are hit yet again for a major stuff-up by council.
I said recently that I believe the time is ripe for the council to be dismissed and an independent commissioner brought in to sort out this financial mess and this now confirms my original view.
Roger Bailey, Papamoa Beach
When writing to us, please note the following:
Letters should not exceed 200 words
If possible, please email or use the 'Have your Say' option on the website
No noms-de-plume
Please include your address and phone number (for our records only)
Letters may be abridged, edited or refused at the editor's discretion
The editor's decision to publish is final. Rejected letters are usually not acknowledged
Local letters are given preference
Email: editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz
Text: 021 241 4568 - Please start your message with BOP
