Post by Kiwi Frontline on May 22, 2019 5:32:44 GMT 12
Hawkes Bay Today 22/5/19
WHERE ARE THE COUNCILLORS’ VOICES ON TE MATA PEAK?
No doubt, like many of your readers, I waited (with expected disappointment) for the appropriate councillors and iwi to condemn the actions on the summit of Te Mata Peak.
Of course, as expected, we were met with deafening silence.
While I defend the rights of the Mongrel Mob members to access public space, it must be done in such a way as to allow everyone else to also use that space — without fear and intimidation.
And before the apologists jump down my throat and accuse me of all sorts of heinous racist utterings, like it or not, patched gang members are intimidating. Quite frankly, they scare the hell out of me.
I did my Compulsory Military Service alongside a member of the Hell’s Angels gang in the 70s — he was a nasty individual and his moral code non-existent.
In an enlightening book (The Devils are Here) written by retired Detective Sergeant Cam Stokes, who specialised in dealing with gangs, the author stated that gangs cause widespread harm in communities, are involved with a wide range of crimes, and drug dealing and violence are their core business.
It is true that many poor, disadvantaged people turn to crime as they believe it is their only course of action and while disagreeing with crime as a resource, having grown up in a tough low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Auckland, I fully understand that.
Along with local iwi, most of the HDC councillors were outspoken about showing Te Mata Peak respect after the Craggy Range track was constructed — we haven’t heard a bleat from them (apart from Damon Harvey) on this issue.
With democracy thrown out the window and social disorder ignored, this council is taking us down a slippery slope.
STUART PERRY Hastings
GANG PATCH BAN
I strongly disagree with the Hastings councillor who wants to ban gang patches from the CBD.
I am more than happy to be forewarned that I am in the proximity of dodgy people who should not be trusted so that I can keep an eye on them, or move away.
The way I see it is gang patches and insignia do a good job of advertising these things.
What is a gang patch anyway? It is simply a sign of allegiance to a group of likeminded individuals.
If the councillor succeeds in their misguided mission, then will this also include the gang patches or insignia of the National and Labour parties, etc, who can also be termed “gangs”?
We know what one of these gangs stands for, and they regularly meet our expectations.
The others tell you what they are going to do and seldom meet up to our expectations. How ironic.
Perhaps it would just be better to crack down on councillors with silly ideas!
GRAHAM CLARK Waipukurau
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
WHERE ARE THE COUNCILLORS’ VOICES ON TE MATA PEAK?
No doubt, like many of your readers, I waited (with expected disappointment) for the appropriate councillors and iwi to condemn the actions on the summit of Te Mata Peak.
Of course, as expected, we were met with deafening silence.
While I defend the rights of the Mongrel Mob members to access public space, it must be done in such a way as to allow everyone else to also use that space — without fear and intimidation.
And before the apologists jump down my throat and accuse me of all sorts of heinous racist utterings, like it or not, patched gang members are intimidating. Quite frankly, they scare the hell out of me.
I did my Compulsory Military Service alongside a member of the Hell’s Angels gang in the 70s — he was a nasty individual and his moral code non-existent.
In an enlightening book (The Devils are Here) written by retired Detective Sergeant Cam Stokes, who specialised in dealing with gangs, the author stated that gangs cause widespread harm in communities, are involved with a wide range of crimes, and drug dealing and violence are their core business.
It is true that many poor, disadvantaged people turn to crime as they believe it is their only course of action and while disagreeing with crime as a resource, having grown up in a tough low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Auckland, I fully understand that.
Along with local iwi, most of the HDC councillors were outspoken about showing Te Mata Peak respect after the Craggy Range track was constructed — we haven’t heard a bleat from them (apart from Damon Harvey) on this issue.
With democracy thrown out the window and social disorder ignored, this council is taking us down a slippery slope.
STUART PERRY Hastings
GANG PATCH BAN
I strongly disagree with the Hastings councillor who wants to ban gang patches from the CBD.
I am more than happy to be forewarned that I am in the proximity of dodgy people who should not be trusted so that I can keep an eye on them, or move away.
The way I see it is gang patches and insignia do a good job of advertising these things.
What is a gang patch anyway? It is simply a sign of allegiance to a group of likeminded individuals.
If the councillor succeeds in their misguided mission, then will this also include the gang patches or insignia of the National and Labour parties, etc, who can also be termed “gangs”?
We know what one of these gangs stands for, and they regularly meet our expectations.
The others tell you what they are going to do and seldom meet up to our expectations. How ironic.
Perhaps it would just be better to crack down on councillors with silly ideas!
GRAHAM CLARK Waipukurau
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers