Nor'West News: July 05, 2017

4
Tuesday July 5 2016
NOR’WEST NEWS
Your Local Views
The role of community boards
Fendalton-
Waimairi
Community Board
deputy chairman
David Cartwright
writes this week’s
Soap Box about the role a
community board plays in
society and his time in local
body politics over the past
three years.
As we approach the local body
elections, I find myself having
many interesting and sometimes
challenging conversations with
friends, colleagues, and people
in the community regarding
the process and purpose of
community boards.
As with anything, the opinions
and level of understanding
around the role of community
boards covers the entire spectrum
from those who see just another
pointless layer of bureaucracy, to
those who are very supportive and
really value the community level
advocacy and decision-making the
boards can provide.
Often the strongest supporters
are those who have had some
kind of contact with the board,
perhaps through being involved
with a deputation, receiving a
grant for a community event,
or communicating with board
members regarding improvements
to local facilities or infrastructure.
At the heart of it, the success and
relevance of a community board
can be measured on its ability to
communicate with and advocate
for their community – that is our
purpose.
As I come to the end of my
second term on the Fendalton-
Waimairi Community Board, the
range of issues and events we are
involved in continues to excite and
motivate me.
The small things really do make
a difference when it comes to
improving wellbeing, safety, and
engagement at a community level.
Some of the highlights of
this term has been delivering
the new Burnside Park
fitness track, progressing the
replacement Bishopdale Library,
addressing car parking demands
at Jellie Park, and granting funds
to the talented youth of our ward
to attend local and international
sporting and cultural events.
Recently the board has heard
deputations on the intersection of
Gardiners and Harewood Rds and
looked at various short and longterm
solutions to address the ever
increasing traffic on our roads.
Other deputations have covered
issues such as the drying up of
our rivers and streams, increasing
quarrying and land use issues, and
the removal of problem trees on
health or safety grounds.
Of course, not all issues can
be solved at a community board
level, but board members can
elevate any issue with council staff,
request additional information,
and work to find an agreeable
outcome.
All of this means one of the
most important attributes of
an effective board member is
the ability to really listen and
communicate with residents, other
board members, city councillors
and city council staff.
So when you come to complete
your voting papers in October,
take the time to find out more
about the candidates, think about
the issues that matter to you
and your neighbours, and take a
pro-active approach to deciding
who will be your voice in the
community.
HAVE YOUR SAY: What are
the issues the Fendalton-
Waimairi Community Board
should be focusing on? Share
your views with us. Email
andrew.king@starmedia.kiwi
A reader responds to a recent article about a lack of
parking at the Northlands Shopping Centre, forcing
shoppers and staff to park in the surrounding streets of
Papanui, which is creating traffic issues.
P Stuart, Papanui
I would just like to add my
comments to your article about
Kathleen Crisley’s concerns
about all-day parking in the
side streets of Papanui. I agree
with all she has said. I would
like to add that Mary St residents
also suffer because the
street is so narrow. It is very
dangerous as far as traffic is
concerned. We have cars coming
from St Albans heading
north and cars taking shortcuts
off Papanui Rd through
the side streets. Now think
of the residents who want to
get out of their driveways at
peak times, which is almost
anytime. It is daunting to avoid
the traffic and to do a turn to
go either way as cars on the
opposite side are parked, with
4WD vehicles blocking your
exit view. If your property is
two houses away from the side
streets, you have to be aware of
them and it is all quite scary.
When we were notified twohour
parking was going to be
introduced, and were asked to
give views, I did so quite constructively.
Everything I suggested
went the complete opposite
direction. As a ratepayer
on this property for 56 years, I
object to my visitors having to
walk a distance because there
are no parks available close to
my home. I object to the fear
I have of being involved in a
crash. The school holidays and
Christmas are approaching so
the nightmare continues.
PARKING
PROBLEMS:
Residents say
that malls are
not providing
enough car
parks for their
employees
and shoppers,
meaning
nearby streets
are taking the
load.
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Apples
From the Garden of Eden to Abbey Road and Silicon
Valley, apples have been an enduring motif for our
cultural journey.
Like William Tell and Sir Isaac Newton before him,
Ashley Smith, in this show, uses apples to his own
ends.
Some samples from this tasty crop may very well
keep the doctor away - but, then again, there could
be something decidedly sinister under the skin of
that rosy red apple being offered.
Artist, Ashley Smith escaped into the wilds of
coastal North Canterbury over 30yrs ago and still
finds fascination in its rural myths and practices.
Canterbury’s often crazy weather patterns also
continue to influence his paintings ( and mental
juices).
Ashley’s subjects are rendered in a variety of styles
– many honed during extensive global meanderings.
During these he has worked for publishers in
Australia, England and America, studied batik in
Indonesia, been a member of the Stuttgard Art
Society and met his future wife in the 602 Club,
Madison Wisconsin!
‘An Apple a Day’ original painting by Ashley Smith
‘The Apple of His Eye’ original painting by Ashley Smith
‘Sir Isaac Newton’ original painting by Ashley Smith
Merivale Hearing Clinic
24b Church Lane, Merivale. Call: 356 2324
Greg Foote, MNZAS Audiologist