I expect a few problems along the way. Rural councillors think the new roads contracts, for example, leave something to be desired — and as Graeme Thomson has been arguing on the councillor email trail, our roading rate regime may be getting out of date with the new focus on walkways. But in local government there are always adjustments to be made, otherwise we’d crack the system and be able to stay in bed.
To those who think, because it is election year, that there are bad things happening, I can only suggest you look at your rates bill. Does that look like we are doing something wrong?
Next week there will be a full council meeting, and I am expecting a few contentious issues, not least a review of the recent environment committee decision to decline to accept a recommendation from the wastewater management committee to require separation of mortuary waste from sewage.
One quiet week, when there are no major meetings, if the Ed doesn’t mind me going off on to one of my, ahem, “offend everybody in sight expeditions”, I must try to calculate just how much extra money in rates and taxes we are required to pay to satisfy politically correct/culturally sensitive notions in this country. Pretty sure it will be scary. I’ll send a copy to Winston Peters, he’ll lap it up.
But because next week will be full I should mention now the hearings committee agenda for May 25.
Application for water take from Pakarae River for irrigation purposes. I’ve been warning for 15 years at least that freshwater issues are going to be difficult.
Central government hates hard issues. If possible with stuff like this they’ll hasten to dump the difficult decisions off to good old Craigie and his colleagues. Thanks guys. In return how about making me the next high commissioner to London, I’d fit into the wine and cheese lifestyle piece of cake.
The Food Act fees and charges regime — well, the proposed one — won’t make foodies happy. And 17 Albert St — previously IHC, later a rest home for older people — there’s now a request to re-establish the building as student and seasonal workers’ accommodation. Not all neighbours awfully happy about that.
Mums, I hope your children gave you a great Mother’s Day yesterday.,Lunch arrived — great, a frittata. I tried to cut it, and I tried to cut it, and I really tried to cut it. I gave up. I picked it up and chewed it, and chewed it, and really tried to chew it. I gave up.
Then I studied it. Was that a twig in it? Surely not! No, it was just a very dried-out piece of broccoli.
At least I had the salad, and very nice it was too. But I was still hungry. A salad is not much to eat for a meal and it was a long time until dinner.
Why, when we have a wonderful kitchen at Gisborne Hospital, do we not use it? Plus we could employ people.
Gisborne has a great selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. Why not use them?
How people are expected to get well on the food served at out local hospital, goodness knows. I only know it has put me off frittatas for life!
Lancley Hughes
Footnote from Compass Group national development and innovation manager Lauren Scott:
Gisborne Hospital transitioned to the new food service model in November 2015. Hospital kitchens remain fully operational, with most staff employed under the former service model retaining their jobs.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are from the same supplier as before, while meals continue to be made from a combination of fresh, frozen and chilled foods. Some are cooked from scratch and some are provided by specialist suppliers.
A new menu offering more choices, including a new side salad option with lunch, was developed in consultation with dietitians and clinicians.
Our Compass Group NZ (Compass) staff are also always available to discuss the quality of a particular meal and the frittata in question has been improved thanks to patient feedback — which indicated the majority of patients enjoy the meals they receive.,Re: Axing riverside boardwalk a missed opportunity, May 7 editorial.
If cyclists want to feel like they are kayaking they should go and buy themselves a kayak.
Why should non-cyclists always end up with the bill while cyclists pay absolutely nothing? Most cyclists seem to prefer to cycle on the pavement anyway.
john Fricker,Re: Disabled parks abused, May 3 letter.
We have the same problem here in Hastings, not just at Countdown but with most disabled parking in town.
With a supermarket, I ask at the desk if they can call over the PA system about such cars parked incorrectly and can the owners please move them.
Ric Coleman
Hastings
