Opinion

Police criticism unfair

Friday 12 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The level of criticism levelled at our police force recently seems unfair and uncalled for. Most of these were made by ‘couch potatoes’ – people who enjoy taking cheap shots at Cook Islanders doing their best for their people and country. Policing is a thankless job. Police officers carry a heavy load as […]

The growing cancer of theft

Friday 12 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I’m supporting Paul Allsworth’s letter. In regards to the ‘burgs’ happening on the island, it’s no surprise. This has been a growing cancer. The theft crimes are most probably organised by adults. These people are the ones who would be driving around the area and staking out times of when people leave or […]

Give and take

Thursday 11 November 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

On the subject of Telecom Cook Islands’ $500,000 sponsorship in cash and kind of the Mini Games and World Youth Netball Championships last year, a smoke signaller writes: “The Income Tax (Sponsorship Deductions) Amendment Act 2009 provided for a deduction at the rate of 200% of the sponsorship sum. Therefore Telecom’s sponsorship of $500,000 was […]

Kata - November 11, 2010

Thursday 11 November 2010 | Published in Kata

Crime shame on Raro

Thursday 11 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, It’s so sad to read again and again the amount of theft going on in Rarotonga. Tourists targeted, tourist establishments that can’t afford full time security targeted, and luckless motorbikes, hired by tourists, who go for a swim in the lagoon only to find all their valuables stolen whilst they were away targeted. […]

Vehicle owners suffer the cost

Thursday 11 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I agree with the letter in your newspaper last week claiming that the condition of the main roads in the village of Ngatangiia were the most terrible on Rarotonga. Asides from perhaps the current MP for Ngatangiia, no one else would argue this point. However, with the recent work been undertaken by T&M […]

Don't touch Al Atas

Thursday 11 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, With regards to the so called Al Atas empire investing millions of dollars in our country, my advice to all you politicians is do not poke your bloody nose into it. You had made some very poor decisions in the past which cost the country millions of valuable dollars. You do it again […]

Please explain politician's role

Thursday 11 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Reading the many words from aspiring politicians leaves me with a question that has puzzled me for years – “Just what is the role of politicians in our nation?” I have never been able to understand how MPs can continue with their former jobs as well as run the country. I was spending […]

New Tutaka dates

Wednesday 10 November 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

The change of Tutaka date is NOT another case of ‘You guys got it wrong’, as someone at Public Health tried to say to us on Monday. That was their first response when we asked why the latest date for the Tutaka is a week later than the date given to us by Dr Fariu. […]

Kata - November 10, 2010

Wednesday 10 November 2010 | Published in Kata

We're tired of your talk

Wednesday 10 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This letter isn’t from me. It isn’t from anybody …because this letter is from everybody. Let me explain. Most readers will know I’m running for political office. Since I’m new at this, the only way I could think to approach it was to discuss matters with my potential employers: the people of Murienua. […]

Don't follow the Shiekh

Wednesday 10 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Following the news story on One News on Monday night about the Shiekh’s funding proposal to our government, I am asking all cabinet ministers, please don’t follow this guy, don’t be lead by what sounds like a scam. It said on the news that he failed in business payments in Australia and around […]

Telecom critics one-eyed

Wednesday 10 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am heartily sick of the regular diatribe by William Framhein and the Economaniac types (CI News Tuesday 9th) criticising Telecom Cook Islands Ltd. William Framhein is just a front man pulling publicity stunts for his would be backers. He knows very little about the telecommunications industry. He has never been a successful […]

Telecom should be doing all this anyway

Tuesday 9 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Who on earth does Telecom Cook Islands think we are? The “report” published in your paper is nothing more than a document outlining what we know all ready. If the full report is online (I am not going to waste my precious dial up time to look) complete with financial reporting, then why […]

Policy penalises innocent

Tuesday 9 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Although I am satisfied that the Ministry of Health has responded to my queries about why they billed an 18-year-old for terrible injuries she sustained as a result of a drunken driver who collided into the motor bike that she was a pilion passenger, I think it disgraceful that Ministry of Health has […]

Shocking design

Tuesday 9 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, What a shocking design for the new education administration building that was shown in the newspaper last week. A concrete box that relates to absolutely nothing! Whoever designed this tasteless, boring and ugly supposedly “modern” office complex must never be allowed to design another government building ever again. Come on, wake up Works […]

TCI, show us your financials

Tuesday 9 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, How “enlightened” it is for Telecom Cook Islands (TCI) to belatedly begin “reporting” to the public as the monopoly provider of telecommunications services. The public relations puff piece asserts that it is a report of its “performance”. It is nothing of the sort. If it was, TCI would have made public their financial […]

Assessing the wiggly road

Tuesday 9 November 2010 | Published in Smoke Signals

“Robert Wigmore is correct in not responding to those mischievous calls for comment on the Sheraton loop road approved by Cabinet,” a smoke signaller writes. “The mischief makers know what we all know, it would be totally inappropriate for a Member of Parliament, a member of Cabinet and indeed the Deputy Prime Minister to comment […]

Kata - November 9, 2010

Tuesday 9 November 2010 | Published in Kata

Baby bonus is a bad idea

Tuesday 9 November 2010 | Published in Letters to the Editor

James Beers breaks rank with his party policy – and faces a dilemma Dear Editor, This past while, I have been on the horns of a dilemma … between a rock and a hard place. Three weeks ago, I frowned deeply when the CIP wanted to give $1000 to the parents of every new-born baby. […]