I, like many others, really feel for the business owners, not only during the construction of bus lanes and cycleways but in the future when most of the parking outside shops will have gone.
Wendy Galloway
Ōmokoroa
Good on you, Christine
Someone has come out fighting and the Bay of Plenty Times is reporting it (Landlord makes legal threat, News, July 15).
Good on you, Christine Currie.
There have been plenty of complaints about clients being unable to access commercial premises and about removing traditional parking spaces, without which, customers will stay away.
Why on Earth does the council want to close the 7th Ave access?
I believe the council needs to look at how it consults with local residents and ratepayers.
Someone needs to talk to affected individuals and explain how they will be affected.
The council, in my opinion, must apologise to these people and sort out their problems.
Dan Russell
Tauranga
Social problems can affect social workers
Your recent article, the “Perfect storm” hitting social workers (News, July 7), has been building up for a long time, just like our weather.
I agree with Te Tuinga Whānau Support Services staff that the profession is in crisis. The grey crisis cloud of burnout and violence has hovered over the profession for years.
The public may not know that about half of social workers locally do not work for Oranga Tamariki but in the community, educated for and working under the same stressful situations.
An initial social work qualification takes four years of tertiary study. Many students are not school leavers but parents with children, owing loans. Apart from being an underpaid profession, the work takes an emotional toll when working with disadvantaged, abused, sad or sick people with social needs that are often difficult to meet.
I support Tommy Wilson in recognising that burnout is a real issue in this climate of a cumulus of social problems.
Trish Hanlen
Bethlehem
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