Smoke Signals
3 August: ONE LETTER
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
In reference to the article about the new synthetic track at Tereora, a sharp reader from Aitutaki asks: Were the tonnes of used motor vehicle tyres palletised, or where they in fact pelletised? Smokies: Probably both – made into pellets and then loaded onto pallets.
3 August: TOP JOB
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
Nice to see the DPM’s office engaged in employing an office/finance manager, a smoke signaller writes. “But what about advertising the CEO position? Or has someone already been earmarked?!”
3 August: PR QUESTIONS
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller says: “So, a few athletes may get their PR awarded so they can ‘legally’ compete in the Mini Games for a couple of weeks! What about those responsible, hardworking, honest individuals that have been law abiding citizens of this wonderful country for over five years? Not only were their applications ignored last […]
3 August: LOCKED COURTS
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A reader writes: “Recently, the tennis courts at Tereora College were upgraded, a very good job, they look spiffy. So now someone has padlocked the gates and passed the word that the gates will be opened only for ‘authorised persons’. And all these years, I thought the courts were owned by the taxpayers and all […]
3 August: LAGOON FIX
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A reader says: “Apparently there is aid money in the pot now to get a sewage system up and running in Muri. Why is yet another environmental report being done? Is this to line the pockets of a few again? We all know that our lagoon is a disaster area. Just fix it before it’s […]
3 August: BIG DEBT
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A reader who says he’s a Cook Islander living overseas writes: “I read with great concern and alarm at the debt currently imposed on the CIs people by a government who at best can only be described as totalitarian with no regard for the long term welfare of its people. Who will pay back this […]
3 August: PAPER PASSING
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
About further public service cuts, a smoke signaller writes: “The first place to start cuts is the over bloated ministerial support offices. Fifteen years ago it was one staff with abudget of $25,000. Now it’s over 10 staff with an average budget of $235,000 each! That’s a whopping $1.6 million spent on passing paper around […]
3 August: Something about July?
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller suggests an interesting political study would be to investigate why over the past 25 years or so, the majority of attempts to topple a prime minister or government – apart from a general election – have come a week or two before the annual celebration of self government. Maybe some people want […]
5 August: POLITICAL REFORM?
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
What’s going on with Government’s promise after receiving the Electoral Reform Committee’s report over four years ago, a smoke signaller asks. “It goes to show that the two mainstream parties cannot be trusted and both parties have failed. People Power, where are you?”
5 August: WELCOME HOME
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller was amused to read that our Cooks team was to arrive in Rarotonga yesterday for the WYNC. “Despite having some residing Cook Islanders in the team – it is a humorous title.”