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Otago Daily Times

Letters to Editor: parking issues, FBI and a call to vote

Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including parking issues, the FBI on our soil, and a call to get out and vote. Pool stop ticket sign of wider parking zeal The Pociechas are not the first to be targeted by an overzealous parking warden (ODT 2.8.25). We had a similar experience just before Christmas last year, although our ''infringement'' was less severe. An $80 fine was imposed for stopping adjacent to an ''Authorised Vehicles Only'' space. The warden was on site and pointed to the sign. We indicated we were not parking but dropping off a passenger. Like Mr Pociecha, we did not switch off our engine, and were stationary for less than one minute. At no time was there a vehicle, authorised or otherwise, waiting to park or pass us. Challenging the fine was initially rebuffed by the Dunedin City Council. We replied that we were prepared to defend the case in court; our actions did not fit the dictionary definition of parking, there was no ''No Stopping'' sign and nobody was inconvenienced in any way. The subsequent reply from the DCC indicated that our fine had been waived. The reason provided was ''Our records show an administration error has occurred regarding the vehicle type recorded for this infringement notice''. Really? While the DCC may be short of funds, this sort of revenue gathering borders on abuse of power. Some parking wardens might benefit from training in customer relations and use of discretion. Wyn Barbezat Roslyn Our time is now How would our country function if National and Labour ever formed a coalition? I think exponentially better. That won't happen of course but one place where the theory should and can work is in local politics. Council should not be a dysfunctional battleground for central government-based divisions. We need representatives who can rise above partisanship and work collaboratively for the advancement of our fine city. Critically, we also need a mayor of exceptional ability. One who can unite the council, empower and allow all elected members to contribute meaningfully while fostering a strong and productive working relationship with the CEO and council staff. We need a mayor who can keep the entire organisation focused on one clear purpose: serving Dunedin and improving outcomes for all who live here. This is the one point in the three-year cycle where the people literally have the power: let's not waste it. John Le Brun Fairfield Common courtesy I assume that if someone sends you a letter, even if it is via the pages of the ODT, it is only fair to reply. So, Ian Davie and Harry Love, thank you for your observations on my recent opinion pieces on the impact of the Covid restrictions. I have shared through these pages the independent EY Report on the trial a group of us conducted at our own expense (over $100,000) to demonstrate how NZ technologies could take the burden off the MIQs and help businesses continue to operate globally. A report shared freely and openly with the government of the day. Nothing I have said has been in hindsight. This report was shared as we went into the 100-day lockdown in Auckland. Harry, I might as well have been in a soundproof box with a mirror because it turned out that I was talking to myself. No-one in government wanted to hear about it. Happy to talk again after you have read it. Ian Taylor Dunedin Where it's due Jolly well done, Sir Ian. Up there with Walt Disney (ODT 31.7.25). You have done so much for our city. May naysayers and tall-poppy-cutters in these columns feel suitably chastened. Mac Gardner Dunedin Not best pleased about our new FBI visitors So, the FBI is opening a permanent office in Wellington. In other words, an organ of the central police and spy apparatus of the USA - a foreign power - is to be ensconced permanently in our capital city at the seat of our government. At the opening of this facility we see the ''Mark and Judy Show'' smiling and nodding benignly while they listen to the blandishments of Kash Patel, director of the aforementioned organisation, and in anticipation of benefits to be received in return for the surrender of a little more of New Zealand's sovereignty. The main, so-called, ''benefit'' is to be the countering of the greatly-to-be-feared machinations of the dastardly Chinese. Of course it is true that the Peoples Republic of China, coincidentally, and not to be given overly much significance, just happens to be New Zealand's main trading partner. And it is also true that Mr Trump hadn't gotten around to slapping any new tariffs on New Zealand goods yet (give him time, he's got a short attention span). But anyway, as our revered foreign minister Winston Peters is first to affirm, New Zealand's ''safety and security'' is paramount. We can now sleep more soundly. Jack Pritchard Palmerston Not happy at all about the state of things The world is awash with immense stupidity and sheer evil. It seems like we are heading back to the 1930s when three male psychopaths rose to power and brought pain and suffering to the world for many years and emboldened evil in others. Shame on world leaders for allowing children to die of starvation in Gaza and our government for not calling what is happening there the genocide that it is. However, we have a petty, vindictive government that occupies itself with things that are of no real consequence like the words on a passport and setting up a road cone hotline. Then they waste money on appeasing egos like Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill. They do put effort into kicking people down the road by cutting off access to accommodation which has increased homelessness. They are also under-funding healthcare. They seem to be completely unaware of basic human rights. Unsurprisingly, they do pour money into their wealthy and sorted mates on crown boards who are getting an 80% pay rise. The tobacco industry now has close mates in government. The Regulatory Standards Bill aims to give corporations more rights than us. And to appease their supporters, our environments on land and sea will be trashed by fast-track projects. I have never been so disgusted with a government in my lifetime. This government lacks a moral compass and humanity. We cannot afford for them to be more than a one-term disaster. Lou Scott Kenmure An unsatisfied customer I see the PM has called the Labour leader ''fricken Chris Hipkins'' in an interview. Is this because polls are showing that New Zealanders have had enough of him ''fricken'' the country? Ewan McDougall Broad Bay Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@