Keep it simple and let Princes St thrive
I am concerned about what I have recently read in the ODT (3.1.24) regarding Princes St priorities
Please do not take away parking. Princes St is just coming out of a 40-year recession . If people lose the ability to turn on to Princes St and park, our retailers will die once again. Please don’t change for the sake of change.
The Dunedin City Council is wanting heritage building owners to restore and strengthen their buildings to keep our heritage buildings alive in Dunedin, most of which are retail on the street front.
I am currently in the middle of stage 2 earthquake-strengthening a building in Princes St, as per required by the DCC. This expenditure could be in jeopardy for getting a retail tenant if the lack of parking and access to retail is compromised. Tenants and shoppers need the ability for goods to be picked up outside all retail stores.
I believe all that is needed is pedestrian crossings with an island centre of the street in the Oval block and another at the bottom of Carroll St.
Slow the traffic to 40km and police it, then pedestrians, cyclists and cars can share the same street safely. Simple is good.
Sing a song — or not
I have never been able to sing. I remember well the groans of my teachers and classmates when I tried. But I would hate to be called a racist, therefore I have some sympathy for Cr Vandervis and wish him well in his endeavours.
Glad tidings
Roll on 2024 I say. My faith in mankind and commonsense is being gradually restored after reading today’s front page of the ODT (8.1.24). Having answered my query from a previous Letter to the Editor printed last year where I questioned the cost relating to the University of Otago’s sculpture that was unveiled (amidst all the doom and gloom being reported of their failing financial position and demise of courses along with academic personnel), I was heartened to read today the ODT had its own questions relating to the same and went a step further under the Official Information Act — bravo. Further in the paper there were three letters to the editor backing Cr Lee Vandervis — commonsense does prevail. I applaud the writers and their reasoning and agree wholeheartedly. A great start to my day.
Splendid landmark
Pou Whenua Tāwhaki (ODT 9.1.24) is a sculpture that stands in splendid counterpoint to the landmark University of Otago clocktower, and I can see it taking on the status of the much-loved Eros in Piccadilly, London. In commissioning it, what did the university have to hide? "Secrecy is the enemy of democracy" the British politician Tony Benn rightly said. As a former Otago academic and historian of public monuments, knowing the costs of commissions is part of my research. How ironic that a university should insensitively attempt to frustrate scholarship.
What an irony
Our university nurtures the faculties of accounting, economics and law and how to teach our young professionals best practice in their calling. The custodians of the university can only show us gross mismanagement, academic arrogance and poor business practice. Thank goodness these pseudo intellectuals are not running our farms and businesses. Please swallow your pride, this is not the the right job for you. This is New Zealanders’ money that you squander.
Carers of discarded pets the real unsung heroes
I read with huge concern (ODT 8.1.24) of SPCA centres throughout the country being inundated with unwanted animals. When SPCA interventions are called upon, every one of these waifs’ lives are at immediate risk as not all can be saved or found homes. They are brought into centres in a frightened and confused state. Disturbingly, a sector of the public are using the cost of living card as their justification for getting rid of their pets. This is a most callous action. All of our vulnerable creatures are in our care, looking to us for their every need. I am of the opinion that in many instances such drastic consequences for our animal friends can be avoided. We owe it to them after all.
And a special mention to all those wonderful people at the animal shelters who work tirelessly and under huge strain, and with limited resources, who shed many a tear at the plight of our creatures. They are the real heroes.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
