25/05/2006

Offended by reply

Re holiday park owners' reply:
I find  this groundless reply ignorant, offensive, malicious and amounting to slander particularly as the accusations have been made in public. At no time did I mention or infer any person involved.
I did not mention or allude to any feature or other aspect of the camp or its staff. I sought the opinion of a friend as to why the letter writers had taken such exception to my short epistle and were 'jumping up and down' so vigorously. He remarked: "You have
hit the nail fair on the head" - ie the noise factor, not withstanding it was only used as a reason for not closing the Kiwi Park facility.
I booked into the camp (in Huiputea Drive) for two nights, but after the first night, as I had got little sleep owing to the noise, I then went to the peaceful Kiwi Park camp.
An Australian lady who goes to Otorohanga quite often said she had got `tripped up' in the same way.
I spent more than 50 years as a ratepayer in Otorohanga district. Due to ill health caused by war service, my health consultant advised me to move to a warmer climate. Hence my interest in the camping ground, where I could spend a few days at a time where it is peaceful and quiet.
Flooding of the Otorohanga Huiputea Park on a large scale is a risk as it has occurred twice before to my knowledge. The town was inundated and dwellings had to be vacated and could not be lived in for months.
The water was 3m deep where the camping ground is.
Added to that, the Huiputea Park is almost surrounded by rail and road, thus is subject to a heavy concentration of the poisonous diesel fumes - when diluted with the air are almost unidentifiable. This causes a damaging reduction of the availability of oxygen.
Having been diagnosed as having incurable cancer and virtually having been sent home from Waikato Hospital to perish, I am acutely aware of the air purity.
In conclusion I would expect a much higher behavioral acumen and demeanour from such people in such a position.
1 consider myself fortunate, for throughout  my long life -- I am now 89 years of age - l have never allowed myself to indulge in untenable outbursts.
AA (Pip) Willis
Tauranga

Not giving it all away

Re Questions regarding recent letter 'Don't Give It Away.' I cannot answer all the questions raised, but can answer most as follows.
Habitat for Humanity will own the land and buildings until the occupying family has paid for them in full. We rent the house to a family for a five year trial period, and if they make payments on time and look after the property, in year six we sell the property to them on a long term sales agreement, but retain title until it has been 100 per cent repaid.
Habitat is liable for all house building and site costs incurred, after the section has been gifted to us by the council with the title in our name. We pay all construction and site costs. Habitat is then also responsible for all future costs of maintenance, rates, insurance and all other outgoings. We oversee and inspect the property and house periodically to ensure the occupying family is looking after it well.
If they don't, we take appropriate action to ensure it is. Habitat pays all costs of such which are then recovered from the occupying family.
I believe the council has arranged for a public meeting on June 6 when all of this can be explained in greater detail to interested parties.
I will be there in person to present the way we do things, the type of houses we build, and who has responsibility for what, as well as answer any, and all questions.
I look forward to working with the fantastic community of Otorohanga to see the first of many future Habitat housing projects in the district come to fruition.
Pete North, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Waikato Hamilton

Yeeha for parking warden

I was pleased to read that a parking warden has been appointed in Otorohanga.
Drivers who park illegally are a danger to other road users, especially those who park on broken yellow lines at intersections with no thought for others.
Perhaps Mr Clark will also target drivers who park in reserved invalid spaces without displaying an invalid sticker.
Ann Plowright
Otorohanga

Hand up not out

Mayors Desk, by Dale Williams Otorohanga district Mayor

This is a good opportunity to give some background to the Habitat for Humanity discussion council and the Otorohanga Community Board is currently having.
Some months ago Habitat for Humanity Waikato contacted me and council's chief executive David Hall to explore opportunities in expanding the Habitat programme to the North King Country.
In recent times property values have climbed significantly, and sectors of our communities now find it difficult to afford to purchase their first home in our district. These are people who are living here already and working in local businesses, so we see potential advantages in encouraging home ownership.
Habitat has very strict criteria for successful applicants, including being employed, able to pay a mortgage, accepting budget assistance, and providing 500 hours of "sweat equity.'
Habitat acquire land and building materials as economically as they are able through support and sponsorship, then on-sell the properties to the new owners at market value.
The new owner pays insurances, rates, maintenance, and all normal household expenses.
The value to the owners is by way of Habitat's interest-free loan until sufficient equity is achieved, then a lending institution can take over.
Habitat offers a hand up not a hand out, and any profit made through the project is put towards future projects.
In this case Habitat has committed to investing profit back into the wider Otorohanga district.
Habitat identified an area of Otorohanga Community Board property and offered to purchase it. However, informal consultation identified issues surrounding the appropriateness of a multiple unit housing subdivision in that area so the board agreed to provide one suitable section to encourage Habitat to reconsider its programme to accommodate residents' expectations.
The board resolved to provide a part of the former TOPS workshop section in Merrins amine Ave to Habitat for the new home.
This section was offered at no cost on consideration of the value of Habitat's investment and involvement. The section is surplus and of a limited value in its undeveloped state, and rates will be collected in future where none are paid now.
I am excited by this initiative as it acknowledges a supportive community.
The project has been carefully considered by the board and council and it is believed the community's interest is being well served.
The success of this project will still depend on support and co-operation form the whole Community, and I trust we will continue to show the goodwill Otorohanga is renowned for.