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I read Rosemary McLeod's article (Opinion, March 1) with interest.
The reality of old age is that our friends die or become disabled at the same time as we grow older. We then find ourselves in our homes which may no longer be suitable for our age group. Yes we have all our memories and our precious things around us but our families are busy, our friends are not there and we could be extremely lonely.
At a retirement village we meet others in the same age group, we join in with activities, we make new friends and we can walk or go by wheelchair to visit those friends as the years go by.
This is a choice that each person must make for themselves. We don't fit into boxes. Some older people enjoy solitude in their own homes but many of us are very happy at Cantabria and the other retirement villages in Rotorua.
The people who run these villages do a fantastic job and don't deserve to have their hard work criticised so harshly by journalists who have not yet reached their 80s and do not know what the privilege of old age means.
HEATHER HEYWOOD
A very happy resident at Cantabria Lifecare, Rotorua
On Wednesday I caught up with an old Girls' High friend now living in Australia, after 50 years of friendship. We enjoyed a favourite haunt - the Kuirau foot baths - Waimirimiri. What a beautiful transformation from the old sheds.
But the stars of the show were the young people we met. Four young boys from a kura (missed the name sadly - but beyond Rotokawa) had just finished soaking their feet. One quickly dried the seating for us with his towel. They were off to play touch on the adjoining fields but chatted with us politely and respectfully as they packed up.
Soon after two young girls from Koutu Kura explained the meaning of Waimirimiri to us.
Our experience was made especially memorable meeting such wonderful young people - they were a credit to themselves, their whanau and their kura. They made our day.
JUDY CORBOY
Bryan's Beach
I agree with A N Christie (Letters, March 1).
I have a 6-year-old female medium-sized dog who has been well socialised with other dogs and has never been aggressive to other dogs. However, on two occasions when we have been in areas where dogs can be 'off lead' she has been threatened by aggressive dogs.
One owner was way off in the distance and no amount of shouting got that dog under control. Luckily no damage was done as it was all teeth-baring and noise. The owner just grabbed the dog, kicked it then stomped off.
On the second occasion my dog just submitted to the aggressive dog and the owner was quick to put it on a lead and take it away.
So, after that I decided that the Redwood Grove was the best place as all dogs will be on leads. However, many owners walk into the area with the dog on a lead, then let it off inside.
One lady was walking with a large dog without a lead. She saw us and grabbed her dog by the collar. She then yelled out if it was safe for her and her dog to pass us! I replied yes, it was 'safe' but why was she asking. Her reply was that as I had my dog on a lead she thought it was probably aggressive! I told her rather curtly that all dogs had to be on a lead in the Redwoods.
Dog walking is becoming an unpleasant experience!
JEAN DOUGLAS
Rotorua
The BOP Regional Council's draft Long Term Plan 2018-2028 is online to collect feedback prior to public hearings. It is crucial that citizens comment rather than allowing the BOPRC to continue flying on under the radar.
Content? The draft LTP appears to reflect community demands related to the environment, freshwater, safe and resilient communities, and economic vibrancy. It proposes major projects in rivers and drainage flood recovery, public transport, biosecurity, emergency management and regional infrastructure.
Unfortunately, bus services are related to population growth (p. 39), not usage, which is why supply significantly exceeds demand. Tertiary education is not a core service.
Financing? To pay for the surge of expenditure BOPRC proposes deficit budgeting for four years, with debt jumping from just over $100 million to just over $200m, although at about half the debt limit. General rates will rise by 12 per cent in 2018-2019, with targeted rates to be added, vastly exceeding the 1.2 per cent annual increase for those on CPI-indexed incomes. Pity the pensioners.
This points to the greatest limitation of the BOPRC's draft LTP. It claims (p. 22) that "Our biggest challenge is managing the balance between keeping things affordable and giving communities what they need and want." But there is no appreciation of affordability anywhere in Today, Tomorrow, Together.
The BOPRC demands the money they need for their plan without considering the uneven impact on ratepayers' disposable incomes. It fails the fairness test.
Please, read it for yourself and give the BOPRC your views. Thanks.
REYNOLD MACPHERSON
Rotorua