Star launches ‘Keep it Local’

It’s tough running a business at the moment so we’re encouraging Horowhenua residents to shop locally and support local businesses. READ MORE

Doc takes ambulance on hikoi

Levin doctor Glenn Colquhoun is taking his concerns about a health system in crisis to Parliament. READ MORE.

STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

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LETTERS

Compliments for Star

Just want to compliment you on the Star . . . a very tidy paper. Refreshing and topical subjects and opinions, from both sides of the aisle – now that is refreshing and might I say relevant. The advertising is striking, visible, well placed and vivid in its content. I found myself reading the ads, not like other papers, where it seems like a revenue gathering exercise, this looked like you have listened to the people who are paying for their content. Well done. And no, I am not a person who would put in an ad, but certainly taking notice of the advertisers.This is the first paper I have read from cover to cover since I dont know when.The Stuff and NZME offerings are pathetic, no, actually rubbish and slanted, but the Star is not. Well done to you and your team, great effort and can't wait to get my second edition. – Sid Holmes, Levin

Morally acceptable?

Well, the question is, is it morally acceptable for councilllor Rogan Boyle to continue in his role as a councillor, despite living overseas? I did make some enquiries about this, and I understand from a good authority that he makes a reasonable input into the issues that arise. However, he’s not here, he’s no longer part of the community, he no longer has a vested interest in the outcome, for the ward he no longer lives in. I think he is doing the town a dis-service by his continued absence. There is nothing like being a real part of the community. The Local Government (Official Information & Meetings) Act 1987 allows elected members to attend remotely. But although the law technically allows such remote attendance and doesn’t specify how long such remote attendance can be, I would suggest the thought behind it was not meant to cover extended remote attendance. I understand Cr Rogan Boyle will be absent for the rest of the term of office. So, my answer is “No”. From an ethical point of view, he shouldn’t be allowed to continue to attend - and get paid!

Yvonne Summers, Levin

Use the abundance of the lake

All we hear in the news at the moment is about school lunches and the cost and poor quality. But has anyone thought of using the abundant resource we have at Lake Horowhenua and considered processing this into edible patties and other meals for the kids. Locally produced, healthy and cheap. If absentee councillors like Rogan Boyle were ideas people and able to help us with initiatives like this then I wouldn’t mind so much that he’s now off living in Aberdeenshire.

Scott Hatepi Price, Levin

One or other language

I have no desire to receive a mixed language magazine. If you want it in English, please English only. If you want it in maori, then, maori only. I am not interested in trying to decipher if it is something I should be interested in, is it a heading, or is it merely a slogan. Please, one language , or the other, not mixed. – Garry Ferguson, Ōhau

IN BRIEF

See the birds off

Friends of the Manawatū Estuary Trust will be farewelling migratory birds officially at 10.30am tomorrow (March 15), from the viewing platform at the end of Dawick Street in Foxton Beach. Spotting scopes will be available. The estuary hosts birds from the Arctic as well as endemic species that travel south to north within New Zealand. DoC says it is one of the best bird watching spots in the country.

Smoother ride on Opiki road

It was good news for people who commute to Palmerston North when SH56 through Opiki reopened earlier this week. In the past two months maintenance crews have rebuilt roads, improved drainage, and resurfaced the section of highway between Alve Road and the intersection with SH57. The renewal work on SH56 – sited on an old swamp that made for a bumpy ride – has removed bumps and hollows in the road, re-strengthened the pavement layers, and improved the quality of the surface.

Madison manages virus

The Madison rest home in Levin had an outbreak of norovirus this week, with visitors being asked to stay away until it could be stamped out. An Ultimate Care statement to the Star said all infection prevention and control measures were in place to contain the infection. “Full care is being provided to everyone,” it said. “As part of a larger group, we are able to call on resources where needed, so we have it managed.”

Tandrom Gypsy in town

New Zealand group Tandrom Gypsy are playing at the old Murrayfields site (14 Potts Road) in Levin tomorrow (Saturday) from 7.30pm. The trio play an eclectic fusion of tango, klezmer, swing and classic Roma tunes. Cost: $25 cash at the door (no eftpos). For more details visit Tandrom / Tagada on Facebook