Selwyn Times: March 21, 2018

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday March 21 2018 11
Your Local Views
Time for council to collect
biodegradable rubbish bags
We said:
Highly respected teacher
Ann Judson of Lincoln has
farewelled a life of ballet
after teaching for 44 years.
You said:
Leeston
resident Caitlin
Miles shares
her views on
being more
environmentally
sustainable
BEING environmentallyfriendly
is coming into vogue,
and it’s about time.
Our world is not in the
best state and it’s getting harder
to escape the images of the
marine life that is being harmed
by the amount of plastic in the
oceans.
It’s great to see businesses
and companies getting on-board
by being environmentallyfriendly,
using biodegradable
products, they are no longer a
luxury.
The supermarket is a good
place to start doing something
for the environment, such as
buying biodegradable rubbish
bags.
Safe to say, I got a little too excited
when I saw these bin bags
in the supermarket. I thought
I would finally stop feeling bad
about putting all of my rubbish
destined for the landfill inside
a suffocating and damaging
plastic bag.
However, I was surprised
when I found out that I couldn’t
put these biodegradable bags
curbside, as they are not district
council approved.
So what I would like to
see is all councils start
collecting biodegradable rubbish
bags.
It’s great to see companies
taking it upon themselves to
provide an eco-friendly option
but I think it would go a long
way if our councils made these
changes to help protect our
amazing environment.
Is this an option the district
council would consider?
I know I could get a wheelie
bin but it’s too expensive so I’m
reduced to bin bags.
Jacqui Freeman – Congratulations
on your retirement
Ann Judson. You are a very
inspiring woman well respected
by many families. Enjoy the time
with your family. Love from the
Clarke family.
ManaMelanie Smith – Ann
taught me in the 1980s. She was
brilliant. I wish her all the best.
Sue Heggie – Ann taught
Sam at Duvauchelle when he was
a little boy. A wonderful teacher.
Thank you Ann.
Mandy Watchorn – Wonderful
teacher all my love.
John Summers writes
about transparency at the
district council and the
Bellfield subdivision in
Southbridge
When are the mayor and
elected councillors going to tell
the chief executive officer David
Ward that he is in charge of a district
council not a secret society?
My simple request for information
about a subdivision directly
across the road from me was
comprehensively ignored until
I enlisted the help of my local
councillor.
I thank him for his intervention
but why was it necessary?
We ratepayers keep the whole
caboodle on the road as I was
painfully reminded as I wrote out
a rates cheque for over $500 last
week. The least we should expect
is straight transparent and preferably
prompt responses to a simple
request for information.
As well as the all important
principles enshrined in our democratic
system that distinguish it
from other systems ie: free access
to information, you’d think, in
terms of simple efficiency, ratepayers
would not be put through
hoops.
Further, the district council’s
own website quoting from the
Local Government Act 2002 cites:
“ Open, transparent, accountable
conduct.”
Mayor and councillors please
transform this into more than a
mere aspiration.
•The district council declined
to respond to the letter.
Clearview Fete aiming
to break 2016 record
Clearview
Fête
Sunday 25 March • 10am - 3pm
20 Broadlands Drive, Rolleston
• Family Fun • Food & beverages
• Clothing • Jewellery & aCCessories
• CoFFee • arts & CraFts • raFFles
• babies & Children goodies
• Plants & outdoor aCCessories
• kids aCtivities • books • Pony rides
• bounCy Castles • health & beauty
• homewares • entertainment
• Free treasure hunt • and lots more!
no dogs allowed in the school grounds
Entry is $5 cash per person
Under 12’s are FREE (when accompanied by an adult)
Over 10,000 people poured into the Clearview School
grounds for the inaugural Clearview Fete in 2016 and
principal Rob Rush hopes this year’s event will attract even
more visitors.
“The community really embraced our first fete and
helped us raise a significant amount of money for the
senior playground,” Mr Rush says.
On Sunday, March 25, the fete will be raising funds to
refurbish the school library, but Mr Rush says that the
biggest priority is to deliver a memorable community
event where everyone can find something to enjoy.
“We will have over 100 stalls, to shop or to eat, as well as
bouncy castles, a treasure hunt and other entertainment,
so I am pretty sure we have something for everyone,” he
says.
The Clearview Fete will feature stalls with arts and crafts,
books, plants, clothing, jewellery, homeware, health and
beauty products, as well as a huge variety of food vendors.
Mayor Sam Broughton will open the event at 10.15am
and the stalls will remain open until 3pm, so there is plenty
of time to drop in.
www.clearviewfete.nz
“Even though 2016 was
only our first attempt, we
were pleasantly surprised
how successful it was,” Mr
Rush says, “so this time we
know what to expect and
I think we can offer the
community an even better
experience.”
Mr Rush says that
previous success has instantly marked the Clearview Fete
as a major event on Selwyn’s social calendar.
“It will be hard to beat our first fete, but if the weather
plays its part, we are sure it will be another great day.”
Mr Rush thanked the dedicated group of volunteer
parents who had put in hundreds of hours to organise the
fete and added that the event would not have been possible
without the support of New World Rolleston.
The Clearview Fete is at 20 Broadlands Drive in
Rolleston on March 25, and entry is $5 for people over
12 years.
Thank you to all our
wonderful supporters!