Dear Editor, Do we have a water crises, or are we suffering the after-effects of Idiotic Decisions in Crises?

Idiotic Decisions in Crises No.1 must go to the engineers who designed the $100m system to deliver water to fewer households on Rarotonga. TTV chief Tereapii Timoti explains how the system fills up from the bottom and the pressure then pushes upwards. The present system was designed to deliver water 15 metres lower than the old system. TMV built the system to design.

Idiotic Decisions in Crises No.2 must go to the blind eyes who ignored the much-touted idea, long before a dollar was spent on TMV, that, for a fraction of the cost of the now failed system, every home on Rarotonga could have been given a new roof, rain gutters, 20,000 litres of water storage, and individual UV treatment units. Leaving the old water system alone (with its faults) for our farmers to use as they like.

Idiotic Decisions in Crises No.3 must go to TMV who now tell us that they have no idea how much water the big resorts are sucking up because there are no water meters installed. Lots of money being spent right now installing metres on family homes while the comparatively few dollars that would be required to meter the now free water flushing tourist poo goes unchecked.

(Name and address supplied)

PM must address police manpower crisis

Kia Orana. Over a week ago, the PM/Minister of Police acknowledged, in passing, that the Cook Islands Police Service was about 30-40 personnel short in manpower. However, instead of addressing the issue, it was announced that NZ Police were coming to the party to upskill our current force … what an amazing sidestep! Jonah Lomu would have been proud of that one!

You can upskill as much as you like Mr. PM, but in reality, if you are 30-40 people short in your workforce, the remaining personnel cannot possibly cope. And that has become increasingly clear in recent years, (certainly during your watch as Minister of Police), with so many headlines highlighting burglaries, domestic violence, boy racers, etc. The Police Service is struggling to combat crime, violence, and general misbehaviour, and clearly cannot be everywhere at once around the Island. But imagine what a difference the sheer volume of 30-40 extra Police Officers would make with the presence of visible police on the village streets, on the main roads, around the town, in and around business areas, and generally in the public view.

There seems to be absolutely no difficulty employing ever increasing numbers of high level/highly paid personnel into OPM, and MFEM and other Ministries, and SOE’s. So why is the recruiting of more police so difficult? Get moving Mr. PM, this is your responsibility – get more personnel into the Police Service, and get these issues sorted.