Disaster could land any of us in homeless boat
It was interesting to see M. Smith’s recent letter about the Oval and the homeless people staying there (14.8.25).
We all know there is not enough suitable accommodation in the city. Let us remember it only takes three simultaneous disasters at home for any of us to become homeless.
I wonder what charitable work he is doing to enable people to get suitable accommodation?
Help the homeless
Re the story in the ODT (17.8.25) about the site where homeless people are living in the Oval.
How is it that the issue of homeless is not only in Ōtepoti, but everywhere in New Zealand?
I was in Rotorua last week, for a conference, and there on one of the main streets in Rotorua were homeless people sitting with mournful eyes, searching for a caring soul to help them get out of their plight.
I realised, with a sad heart, that this is just the tip of a very large iceberg.
All around New Zealand we have homeless people. Why?
Why has the system failed for them. It will be a cold night tonight, and my thoughts are with these people.
[Marita Johnson is a Dunedin city council candidate.]
Map needed
The item in the ODT (13.8.25) about the new bus service in Mosgiel shows how our buses have lost their way.
The ORC should have listened to users better before they tried this experiment. It seems like those who are deciding about our buses can't imagine what it is like to be elderly and what services would suit. It may not be quite as bad as not listening to 90% of people who told the ORC they wanted schoolchildren bus rides to be free. Despite this feedback the council on a staff recommendation decided to start charging children again.
The ORC should listen to those who pay their wages.
[Hilary Calvert and Carmen Hope are Otago Regional Council candidates.]
Swings and roundabouts
There has been much discussion up and down the main street about Dunedin CBD’s "million-dollar" seesaw. The seesaw is a useful metaphor to explain local government spending v rates income: if we put spending on one end of the seesaw and income (from rates) on the other, they are supposed to balance.
However, when local government spending exceeds income, they have sought to increase said income by borrowing money (at interest) from LGFA. Whilst this may be clever accounting, it creates an unsustainable debt which can never be paid and lies in wait for future generations: this will be no merry-go-round.
That’s the problem — what is the solution? We need an electoral swing. New councillors with new ideas, responsible to their ratepayers, with clear moral purpose — all firmly united under one banner: let Dunedin flourish. Balance the seesaw.
[Hugh O’Neill is a Dunedin city council candidate.]
Sitting and watching the view an access barrier
I was interested to read the article in the ODT (13.8.25) re mobility parking in Dunedin.
The Disabled Persons Assembly policy adviser Chris Ford mentioned the barriers that disabled people face trying to find parking spaces. He said that spaces designated for disabled people should be respected. With this in mind, it is disheartening to see how often mobility permit holders themselves abuse the mobility parking spaces at the Esplanade.
The mobility permits are issued so that people with disabilities can access and participate in the community. Why then do so many permit holders display their permit, park in one of the few mobility parks and sit in their vehicle denying a disabled person the opportunity to get out of their vehicle and enjoy the Esplanade? There are many regular parking spaces available for those who want to sit in their vehicle: however people with disabilities need the wider spaces to get in and out of their vehicle.
The mobility permit conditions of use are printed on the permit, one of which is "Only use your permit if you need to get in or out of the vehicle. If you are staying in the vehicle you must park in a standard parking space".
Trust in trusts
Trusts manage and control the sale of alcohol and distribute profits back into the community .
We all know alcohol causes harm and destruction. It is time to take the bull by the horns as the current situation is broken .
Bring back the licensing trust and help our communities at the same time .
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
