Are ratepayers the No 1 stakeholders?
Re Paul Brooks' Midweek editorial (October 6): I write in support of all he had to say. Yes, this city has some beautiful streets, and thanks to the councillors who have worked for the awards we hold, but many ratepayer necessities are being ignored.
Roading for one, try driving the length of Vic Ave and check out the undulating surfaces you encounter and this is our main street.
There are many more which need a lot of attention to manhole lids, potholes and good maintenance. Top-quality residential streets speak volumes to visitors to our city and residents alike.
The title I gave this letter (Are ratepayers the No 1 stakeholders?) is also related to the Lower Vic Ave development (on hold ) where it was stated that stakeholders were contacted but it was then established that the real business owners, ratepayers and tenants of this area were not clearly the stakeholders, even though they may have been there for years and paid thousands of dollars in rates and were struggling with Covid-19 [restrictions]. They were not part of the plan, with their customer parking being taken away.
Whanganui District Council and Horizons have both applied big rate increases this year, 5.7 per cent and 8.4 per cent respectively. In spite of a high percentage of their populations suffering from financial loss due to Covid 19 lockdown.
Councils, treat your ratepayers as No 1 stakeholders, they voted you in, it is their opinion and vote you will need next year, so listen to them and their needs.
L WRIGHT
Whanganui
Protest publicity
It's a shame you printed such a large picture of the "anti-everything" protesters, including one grinning at the camera, on the front page of today's Chronicle. This is just the sort of publicity they want - it helps them influence more gullible people.
DOUG PRICE
Castlecliff
Covid questions
It appears that we are to be graced with the PM's presence today [Wednesday], so she can keep an eye on how Whanganui's share of the extra $120 million funding is being utilised.
A story last week reported that spending $120 million to lift Māori jab rates was a win! The rest of the "team of 5 million" did what was expected of them, and got the jab for the collective good of the country.
Maybe somebody could ask her what the amount of money is "per dose" to make this happen?
And while they are at it, ask her why we are still allowing people into the country with Covid (confirmed every other day in the 1pm briefings). This is how this outbreak started, somebody coming back from NSW in the middle of an outbreak over there, without having to ensure that they didn't bring it into New Zealand with them. Make the traveller take some responsibility.
From what I can recall of the transtasman bubble requirements, it was supposed to require evidence of being fully vaccinated and a negative pre-departure test. That would be common sense and obviously did not happen and is still happening.
Relying on our MIQ facilities to stop Covid getting into the community is like trying to catch whitebait with a net made out of chicken wire. And with people breaking out willy nilly over the last week you have to wonder if they know what the word "managed" means!
It's all academic now though. As with 2017, the public have had enough of this Government and they'll be gone in 2023 – Judith and David god forbid! Well he should, but there isn't much choice. [Abridged]
RUSSELL EADES
Whanganui
