Te Awamutu CourierPublished Tuesday & Thursday THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 9553301AA YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR OVER 100 YEARS EXTRA COPIES 40c Group pushes action Heavenly Coup Te Awamutu Continuing Education’s speaker on Wednesday, March 5 is Dr John Eldridge, senior lecturer in Astrophysics at Auckland on ‘legal high’ debate University. Dr Eldridge address is ‘The birth, life and death of stars’ and he is bringing a modern telescope to view the sun EXCLUSIVE POLICY ACTION (weather permitting). The Waipa District Council’s This is a unique opportunity BY DEAN TAYLOR to hear one of Britain’s foremost public consultation on the scientists speak about Psychoactive Substances As Waipa District Council Policy to date has resulted in: astronomy and the universe. considers submissions on the ● (For further details refer to 72 submissions received; selling of psychoactive sub- ● 21 wish to be heard; Public Notices). stances, a group opposed to the ● ‘legal high’ business is continu- Hearings to be held on Congrats to ing to plan its opposition. Tuesday, March 4. Organisers of the public Key issues raised: Chiefs winner meeting that resulted in a ● Want a complete ban on Murray Rowe of Puahue will protest outside Te Awamutu’s the sale of approved legal high shop met with products; be able to see his favourite ● Chiefs player, Liam Messam, in Labour MPs Ian Lees-Galloway Want buffer zone around (Palmerston North — Associate sensitive sites increased; action this weekend. ● Mr Rowe was the winner of Spokesperson for Health) and Want hospitality outlets a double pass to the Chiefs Sue Moroney (Chief Whip from added to list of sensitive home game against the Hamilton) on Tuesday after sites; being contacted by Ms ● Want proximity zone to Highlanders on Saturday night Moroney’s office. at Waikato Stadium. other premises that sell Mr Lees-Galloway has writ- approved products raised Thankyou to everyone who ten a bill — the New Zealand sent in entries. from 300m; Public Health and Disability ● Want Council to advocate (Psychoactive Substances for stronger controls on Donations for Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill — which he believes can operation of premises. garage sale ‘fix’ the problems associated Te Awamutu’s Altrusa Club with the Psychoactive Sub- will be holding a garage sale on stances Act which was hur- research, education and adver- Saturday, April 5 and would riedly passed last year. tising to reduce health risks appreciate donations of goods He believes the Act is a step associated with their products. from the community. in the right direction, and that ‘‘It would be helpful to have All funds raised will go to having legislated legal highs a similar revenue stream to Parent-to-Parent. Please being sold in the open is prefer- fund that work. phone Vicky (ph 871 9819 or able to black market illegal ‘‘The money to fund this 021 1390 377) to arrange operations, but that the indus- ought to come from the sale of collection or for drop off details try should pay its way. psychoactive products.’’ (no computers, TV’s or stereos And he believes it was an Mr Lees-Galloway’s bill is in please). oversight that there were no the ballot and he will be push- rules around hours of oper- ing hard to have it adopted so ation. some of the public concerns His plan is for the Health over the sale of legal highs can Promotion Agency to be be resolved. mandated and resourced to Meanwhile he advises Te reduce the harm associated TC270214DT03 Awamutu people to continue to with legal highs. LABOUR Associate Spokesperson for Health Ian Lees-Galloway, oppose the sale of legal highs if Mr Lees-Galloway says the pictured outside Te Awamutu’s ‘legal high’ shop, wants the sector to they felt strongly about it and agency, which is behind the pay for research and education around the use of psychoactive to ensure Waipa District Coun- successful ‘Ghost Chips’ and substances. cil is fully aware of their ‘No More Beersies For You’ opinions about how the campaigns, does not carry out ‘‘It is specifically mandated other industries associated retailers should operate. He any work to reduce harm to focus on alcohol, tobacco, with possible addictive behavi- reminds the public that this is a related to psychoactive sub- gambling and a handful other our, such as alcohol, cigarettes legal activity, and as much as stances because the law does health issues.’’ and gambling, had to pay fees, any group might want, a total not allow it to. Mr Lees-Galloway says levies and taxes to fund ban is not possible. WINTER IS COMING... Agrofarm 100 YEAH RIGHT If you are wanting a cosy C\W FEL incl. 3rd service fi re this winter (maybe in as little as 3 months) now is the time to call us , +GST $62 990 Not only are Pratts experienced installers we offer a wide range of fi res and we install everything we sell For wood fi res, gas heating and central heating MIKE’S WE DO IT ALL! Call in & talk to Margaret today to fi nd the perfect PICKS heating solution for your home 07 870 5020 Mike Whitburn: 0274 824 614 Murray Barclay: 0274 753 690 0800 772887 100110 ROCHE ST, TE AWAMUTU www.pratts.co.nz 9539405AA 2 Te Awamutu Courier Thursday, February 27, 2014 9539296AA LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Te Awamutu Courier Funding ‘ignorance’ abounds Wow at Air Supply Your community newspaper for Again ignorance abounds over the issue of cost increase. Have you ever met someone briefly and over 100 years. funding for community facilities. If a council service is not recovering wanted to get to know them better — even if Circulated free to 12,216 homes through Te Awamutu While the Council voted an extra it’s own cost then that must increase. If a all you can go on is a fleeting meeting with and surrounding districts. million dollars for a velodrome without facility is going to require further capital them and a gut feeling of ‘wow’? any public consultation, it now wastes spending then that should be partially, This is exactly what happened to me. I time on deciding if those who use manky mostly, pre-paid by it’s users. stood next to somebody special at the Air CIRCULATION 12,216* (6994 urban, 5272 rural) old town halls with virtually no facilities, A system and policy should be put in Supply concert at the Civic Cinema in should pay more to compensate. place were staff do not have to put these Auckland on December 4 and it would mean We welcome letters - preferably via email. They Further they plan to reduce the cost of things in front of the WDC for rubber a lot if she reads this or if someone that should be under 300 words and must have the library books when they want to waste stamping. knows her could put us in touch. sender’s name, address and phone number. No millions on a new library. The fees for Rates have already paid many times The young lady concerned had come up pseudonyms are accepted and names will only be library books should have gone up years over for the establishment of halls where for the concert with her friends from Te withheld in special circumstances at the discretion ago if a library is to be replaced. the public should be able to meet free of Awamutu. of the editor. Letters are not usually acknowledged This is another case of stealing form charge. I really enjoyed watching the show and and may be edited, abridged or discarded. the poor to give to the rich. That is what a true public good is. sharing some time with her as she really The answer to Mr Johnston’s question Where the WDC comes unstuck is seemed to enjoy the show as much as I did. MANAGER on Council having a social conscience is when it ramps up the general rates We were seated in Row A at the front, I Alan Price simple, yes, but with absolute consist- charged to fund it’s profligate building of was Seat 31 and perhaps she was seat 32? [email protected] ency. facilities it cannot afford to run properly. We talked a few times about our lives and EDITORIAL Having council staff fiddling with rates That wouldn’t be so bad if the majority seemed to get on great. At one stage she Dean Taylor (editor) and charges is not the answer when these of the community wanted them, but they accidentally knocked my drink over and [email protected] should and have have been carefully always pander to the minority who do apologised. Later she asked me if the chap I Cathy Asplin (journalist) considered many times. rather than the majority they can tax for was there with was my Dad — hilarious as [email protected] If the cost of living has risen by 3 per them. he is not nearly old enough. cent then that is the correct amount of the JAMES PARLANE She also told me that she regularly Colin Thorsen (journalist) travels to shows with her friends and that [email protected] they enjoy a wide variety of music as I do. ADVERTISING Unfortunately I had to leave to drop my Dorinda Williams Library costs being drip feed friend home immediately after the show and [email protected] felt that I cut short something which had Julie Jackson It appears that increases in the new million but now I’m not sure at these potential to go further.