Te Awamutu COMPUTERS, SERVICE Courier NOTEBOOKS, SUPPORT APPLE PRODUCTS Published Tuesday & Thursday THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011 NOW AT 407 Sloane Street, Te Awamutu Ph: 07 871 3837 Fax: 07 871 3807 CELEBRATING 100 YEARS AS YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER E-mail: [email protected] CIRCULATED FREE TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT TE AWAMUTU AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. EXTRA COPIES 40c. BRIEFLY Playful nature saves Stitch ‘Cybercrims’ capitalise Cybercriminals have been quick to pounce on Internet for Search and Rescue role users seeking information about the death of Osama bin Laden. BY GRANT JOHNSTON Within hours of the news A dog at Kihikihi pound who that US forces had killed the Al was due to be euthanised has Qaeda leader in Pakistan, instead been earmarked for a malware began popping up career in search and rescue. websites optimised to appear Stitch (as in ‘stitch in time’) is a on web searchers related to bin black and white, male, stock breed Laden’s death. and bull terrier cross. Scammers took advantage His breeding has mongrel of the phrase ‘Osama bin laden stamped all over it, but in nature dead’ being the most popular and manners he’s more like Prince Google search, luring Internet Charming. users to links supposedly He was tested on Monday for his containing photos, videos and suitability as an urban search and other information surrounding rescue (USAR) dog by training co- bin Laden’s death. ordinator for the upper North Many links have been Island region, Kirsti Kay. tainted with malware, infecting He came through the rigorous user’s computers when they testing with flying colours and are prompted to download a file video footage of his test will be sent away to the USAR national trainer or watch a video. in Christchurch — which is where he is likely to go for training. Gymnasts at ‘‘He’s a real natural,’’ Kirsti Kay enthused, noting not only Stitch’s Events Centre keenness to complete fetching and Spiralz Rhythmics of finding tasks, but also his persever- Hamilton is staging its ninth ance in the face of more challeng- annual rhythmic gymnastics ing tests. competition at Te Awamutu Stitch was picked up two weeks Events Centre this weekend. ago when he was found wondering The competition will run and looking lost on Ngaroto Road. from 8.30 to 6pm on Saturday He was not registered. and Sunday. Over 150 After two weeks at the Kihikihi gymnasts from Waikato, pound with no enquiries from Wellington, Auckland and the anyone looking for him, he was Bay of Plenty will be scheduled to be euthanised. competing. But last week, the dog caught The competition will count the eye of Council animal control towards selection for the officer, Vickie Byford, when he Rhythmic Nationals to be held flew past her with a plastic con- tainer in his mouth. on July 28-31 at North Harbour Straight away she thought of the Stadium. USAR Search Dog Association because their dogs are valued for International their high ‘play drive’. Ms Byford has recommended pony club dogs from the pound for search and The International Rally rescue in the past — one (Sarge) hosted by New Zealand Pony will sit an operational assessment Club is being staged at Kihikihi later this year. TC050511GJ01 Domain on Saturday, May 14. ‘‘Normally, the first thing a dog STITCH is put through his paces by Urban Search and Rescue training co-ordinator Kirsti Kay. Riders from America, wants to do in the morning is Canada, Hong Kong and relieve itself. But when I gave the She and her dog Tommy are an this combination of traits because for because some of the traits are Australia will join New Zealand dog his toy, the toy took priority. I operational team for the NZ Fire the job requires dogs that will keep the same for agility dogs, which she riders in the event. kept playing tug games with him Service USAR team in Auckland, going until they get what they want also trains. The opening ceremony and put his toy out of reach to see and recently were deployed to the or what they are looking for." If Stitch fails the USAR training takes place from 12.30pm with how strong his desire was to find Christchurch earthquake. The NZ USAR Search Dog programme, he will come back to competition starting at 1pm. it,’’ she says. She says USAR’s dogs would be Association gets most of its dogs the Kihikihi pound. Ms Byford says Members of the public are It was strong enough to con- described as mischievous, persist- from the pound, but rely on animal in the unlikely event that he comes welcome to attend. vince her to ring the training co- ent, high energy and playful. experts who can spot a dog’s poten- back, she’ll approach Corrections ordinator at the USAR Search Dog "They just want to continually tial. or an agility home — ‘‘because this Association, Kirsti Kay. fetch, retrieve and run. They need Vickie Byford knew what to look busy dog needs a job!’’ Present this voucher when you buy a coffee and receive another of equal or lesser value FOR FREE One voucher per customer per visit to Te Awamutu McDonalds. Valid until 18/05/2011. 8113395AA 2 TE AWAMUTU COURIER, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011 Velodrome proponents approach Te Awamutu regional councils for $10 Million Courier Due diligance report on economic benefits proposed CONTACTS Waikato Regional Council Chairman Peter Buckley posal at a meeting on Monday of $7 Million into the $29.5 Million MANAGER will formally review the Home said the council would not be this week. Each territorial cycling centre project, with $10 of Cycling proposal before mak- forced into hasty decisions and authority will be asked to Million sought from local gov- Alan Price ing a decision about consulting would follow proper legal pro- formally request the regional ernment, and the balance from e: [email protected] with the public on whether to cesses, with September being council to rate its ratepayers trusts and naming rights. put up to $6 Million towards the the earliest a decision could be for the velodrome funds. The Government has set a EDITOR proposed world-class made on funding. Cr Buckley said the council tight timeline to finalise nego- velodrome in Cambridge. After considerable debate, had to consider the tiations with the Waikato Bay Grant Johnston The Waikato Bay of Plenty the council agreed to spend submissions when it deliber- of Plenty bid by this Friday e: [email protected] Home of Cycling Trust pre- $30,000 on due diligence to sat- ated on the draft annual plan in (May 6), although the trust sented to the regional council isfy itself about the accuracy of June. believes it might be able to REPORTERS on Thursday, highlighting the the Waikato Bay of Plenty “It is good sense to consider negotiate an extension. benefits the proposed $29.5 Home of Cycling Trust’s these submissions in light of Since winning the preferred Colin Thorsen Million national cycling centre economic impact assessment independent advice about the tender bid, the Waikato Bay of e: [email protected] of excellence would deliver to report, the proposed capital and merits of the proposal,” he said. Plenty trust has been on a fast Dean Taylor the region, including projected operational budgets and other “We also need to know we track to secure funding and economic benefits of $11 issues including facility owner- have the support of territorial finalise commercial tenancies, e: [email protected] Million a year. ship and depreciation. authorities to rate for design and build agreements Cathy Asplin Trustee Rob Waddell con- Other councils considering regionally-significant infra- and other governance and oper- e: [email protected] firmed the trust was seeking submissions on the velodrome structure, such as the cycling ational details. the entire $10 Million local would be asked to contribute to centre. Sport and Recreations New ADVERTISING government share from the the cost of the review. “Once we have completed Zealand (SPARC) has stated it Waikato and Bay of Plenty If the review is favourable, due diligence, and if we are has the option to negotiate with Dorinda Courtney regional councils — $6 Million the regional council will then satisfied that the proposal is other shortlisted bids, Auck- e: [email protected] from Waikato and $4 Million decide whether to take the sound, then we will go to the land or Palmerston North, if from Bay of Plenty — but time proposal to the next stage. next step and decide whether to Waikato Bay of Plenty cannot Janet Uttinger pressures meant they could not Because the proposal exceeds undertake the special consulta- complete these technical and e: [email protected] seek council support through $1 Million unbudgeted capital, tive procedure,” said Cr financial conditions. The Bookings the usual annual or long term it triggers the council’s signific- Buckley. timeframe has been set so [email protected] planning processes. ance policy and the require- Responding to councillors’ building is completed by March The velodrome proposal was ment to formally consult with concerns about the lack of clar- 2013 in preparation for the 2016 CLASSIFIEDS first pitched after the draft the community. This involves ity about the amount of funding Olympic programme. annual plan went out for public publishing an audited state- required, Home of Cycling Rating implications if Wai- Tania Cortesi-Western, Rhonda Bird consultation. Although the pro- ment of proposal, consultation, working group member Simon kato Regional Council does pro- Anna-Marie Holmes posal was not included in the hearings and deliberations Perry acknowledged the pose prpoviding the $6 Million [email protected] plan, Waikato Regional Council before a decision can be made.