Thoughts of the Week

Up in arms
Re: “Rates take a bungee jump”
An increase is not a decrease.
—Jennifer Josling

Amazing -- a few years ago this would have been an horrific increase, but in recent years, they’ve conditioned us to expect double-digit increases, so now we’re thankful for just a twice-the-inflation-rate increase.
—Murray Ward

Time we went back to 3-4 percent, like the CPI index. Perhaps MDC needs a good restructure.
— Hamish Marfell

Wait till you start paying for water; your rates/water bill will near on double. Council meetings are open to the public -- we the ratepayers. Start attending.
—Trish Smith

How about they spend a little less on festivals and other non-core [things]?
—Iain Berrie

Stop the CBD revamp, for a start, and let KiwiRail build the new terminal and the government the infrastructure needed around it, as it’s SH1. Hand back your pay increase and stop all your wasteful spending.
—Gerry Roodakker

People [angry about rates] complain if the riverbank is overgrown and that the town looks [bad]. At least this council kept it below projections. Look around the country -- many councils just keep piling on and piling on without even trying to mitigate.
—Aaron Goodwin

Grappling with loss
Re: “Deceased infant’s discovery shakes Marlburians”
Shocking behaviour whoever did it.
—Lynette Atkinson-Parker

Someone knows something; they need to come forward.
—Marion Maxwell

There is a very upset mum out there somewhere -- I really hope she gets the help she needs. Nobody can lose a baby and just be ok.
—Joe Wade

Baby has angel wings. RIP, precious one.
—Marilyn Hopkins

Tip of the hardhat
Re: “ ‘A.I. can’t build a house’ ”
Stuart Caulfield, you are a legend. All mahi you put into this event, thank you for what you do for the Pasifika.
—Max Anderson-Sweeney

Encore, encore!
Re: “ ‘Matilda’ grows up”
Amazing show, even better the second time around.
—Shirley Sinclair