Letters: Te Manawa has nothing special

Te Manawa. Photo/File

At last the City Focus is open again to the public with our council another million dollars or so deeper in debt. What has it got to show for it? There is nothing special we must go and see, an empty area for vehicles and pedestrians.

It seems that the council has introduced a new concept to the world; cars can go anywhere and pedestrians have lost the safety of footpaths, the perfect recipe for accidents.

In the meantime, apart from the $1 million, we have lost the small stage where groups could perform, the small information office for our visitors, seats where people could sit, and the sails keeping us dry when it rains and out of the sun on hot days. Are we supposed to be better off? Certainly not in my opinion and I think lots of citizens will think likewise.

HARRY BRASSER
Rotorua

Legalising marijuana not the answer

As a former teenage heavy cannabis user, it is clear to me that marijuana must never be legalised.

The argument that criminalising it "hasn't worked", can also be used to address theft, political corruption, money laundering and murder: but we don't suggest that
legalising those things will make our society better, do we?

As a teen I believed that, when I was stoned, I was experiencing reality. My friends all believed the same. By the time we were 20 we all extremely depressed and used to lay around all day dreaming, imagining we were free. My brother, a heavy user too, is currently in jail for the rest of his "natural" for barbarous, unspeakable crimes committed, in my view, as a result of his heavy marijuana use as a teen.

How did I get sorted out, then? I met Jesus Christ, who delivered me with great power and love from the delusions of marijuana.

Well done to Patrick Walsh for being counted among those who care about young people.

GJ PHILIP
Rotorua

In relation to the story in the Daily Post (October 27) "Council debt rises to 168m" you ask "what do you think." Here is what I think: I think it's easy spending other people's money.

JOHAN AARTS
Rotorua