Ratepayer funding of Tauranga's art gallery is back in the headlines, this time with the gallery warning it might have to halve the number of exhibitions and scrap school bus trips to meet budget. Today's Inside story is an eye opener, and reveals the gallery has to share a slice of 2.5 per cent per $1000 of rates put aside for arts and culture. A thriving art gallery is critical for any city, especially one the size of Tauranga. Free bus rides for the next generation are important in giving them the opportunity to see inside the gallery and experience art there. Either the council gives it more money, or the gallery raises more revenue or cuts costs. The council should satisfy itself that the gallery gets fair funding. The gallery is hesitant to impose a cover charge but surely art lovers wouldn't mind supporting the gallery in this way, just as swimmers are happy to pay for using the city's pools. Bottom line? Every organisation needs to work within its budget. Has the gallery done enough to trim costs?
3 Drivers named and shamed
This story, published on the front page on Thursday this week, demonstrates once again the downside of the internet. It's hard to believe people can defame others by accusing them of being bad drivers on a Facebook page without a shred of evidence. At the time of our story, the page had more than 1100 likes and people could even make critical comments on the cars people drive. Really? Have people not got better things to do?
4 Legal highs
These disgusting drugs are like a disease that refuses to go away. The Government moved to make it more difficult for shops to sell them. But, despite all the new rules and regulations, these drugs are still around and, according to media reports, causing mayhem. Katikati people want their council to have more power in policing these drugs. Councils, including Tauranga, are drafting psychoactive substances policies. But shouldn't our councils be focusing on running cities or districts and providing services, rather than spending time and money on drug administration? The Government needs to deal to this problem once and for all by banning these ridiculous drugs outright.
5 Councillor's shock decision
Cr Steve Morris revealed exclusively to the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend last Saturday that he plans to be the next Bay of Plenty National MP following the retirement of Tony Ryall. I can understand some people might have raised their eyebrows given he's only just been voted on to the council and it was to be expected that ousted councillors David Stewart and Wayne Moultrie would be critical. But Cr Morris was not to know of Mr Ryall's intentions at last November's local body elections. People need to seize opportunities and this is indeed a fantastic opportunity for him. The $70,000 cost of a by-election if he is successful is the price of democracy.
6 Lifeguard hailed a hero
I love hero stories and yesterday's was a goodie. Mount Hot Pools lifeguard Claudio Abrao is being credited with helping revive a 2-year-old boy found nearly drowned at the pools on Wednesday. He kept his cool and did all the right things to get the boy breathing again. What I particularly liked was his humility, in that he said he was proud not only of himself but his fellow guards who played a part in saving the boy. His bosses are proud too - and quite rightly so. Good on you, Claudio. You're the hero of the week.
