A selection of letters to the editor. Have your say by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. Please also see letters rules at the bottom of this page.
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As a supporting member of the I Hate Babies
page, I agree with the message the page itself is sending.
But what the opponents don't realise is that we, the supporters, also have a right to an opinion.
You can view this as abusive, sure, it can be spun that way, but if that page is abusive the opponents are as well.
Spamming the wall on the page and harassing its members is in no way less abusive than the page itself.
Also what is not present at the moment is blatant common sense. If you don't like something, don't view/watch/listen to it.
What was not seen on the page, however, are the blatant death threats sent to me by god knows how many of the opponents.
Things from "burn in hell" to "I'm gonna slit your throat" have all flooded my inbox.
So you, the Rotorua Daily Post, can spin this ridiculous tale in support of the valiant opponents of the I Hate Babies page and make them all seem like heroes, but you might want to take a look yourself and see that they're not exactly what they claim to be.
THOMAS NADEAU
United States
I read a Daily Post article in regards to graffiti in Ngongotaha.
I am an elderly widow and have been a victim of the lowlifes who are responsible for these despicable actions.
Do they realise how some people cannot afford to have it removed?
Hopefully, the police will find the culprits and make them responsible for removing this destruction of private properties.
P BOLLO
Ngongotaha
Councillor Calnan is incorrect on some points regarding Mr Tahana and his scrutiny of the Te Arawa standing committee minutes.
The minutes are put before the committee to scrutinise for errors and omissions and that's exactly what Mr Tahana did.
He was aggrieved and rightly so, that matters referred to by Mr Rangihuea were referred to in the minutes, but the matters he was speaking about were absent from those same minutes.
The linkage was missing. Mr Tahana, as an elected member of council's Te Arawa Standing committee, has the same rights to challenge the minutes of that committee as we as councillors do of other committee meetings.
We do that frequently.
The debate over detail of the actual debate is a red herring and matters raised in Mr Tahana's tabled letter, however, in this case the contents were unpalatable, were directed at the mayor and he was clearly uncomfortable with the contents. The committee chairman can, under standing orders, allow anyone to speak and that's why Mr Rangihuea was there.
His speech was referred to and not a mention of Mr Tahana's letter or the issues he wanted discussed.
Mr Tahana's right to question, challenge and try to correct matters.
His motives are irrelevant.
The right Mr Tahana has is called freedom of speech in a democracy and long may it continue.
CHARLES STURT
Rotorua District Councillor
When will we learn?
I applaud Julie Culnan questioning the expenditure on the meaningless survey on ratepayer satisfaction that does not ask the questions relevant to Rotorua.
In this time of economic stress, only a complete change in spending culture will improve the lot of the people of Rotorua.
I was alarmed to read of the positions being advertised by the Rotorua District Council (The Daily Post of 25 June) despite the calls for a reduction in expenditure.
Why Destination Rotorua requires three people (marketing manager, trade marketing co-ordinator and a famils and trade co-ordinator) to carry out a function that could be done by one person working part-time is beyond me. Even the title "famils" needs explanation in the advertisement.
The RDC has obviously not learnt from the European debt crisis and is continuing to spend and borrow money as if there is no tomorrow.
I wonder how many similar un-necessary posts exist at the council.
Come on RDC, get real and face the facts that Rotorua is in a dire financial state without the ability to service debt unless the ratepayers continue to pay inflated rates.
ALAN DEVERSON
Rotorua
On Saturday our family attended the display put on by the police and I want to say thank you to all the people involved in both the static displays and the action-packed part starring the police dogs and their handlers.
All the police personnel were friendly and positive to the children (and adults) who asked many questions.
The displays showed us the varied work the police do to help keep our communities safe.
TRICIA DENDER
Rotorua
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