Letters, Nov 4
4/11/2009 12:28:00 p.m.
Wet house
Neighbours have legitimate concerns with the impact on their families of a wet house for alcoholics in Ribble Street, Island Bay. But it is not just a question of “not in my backyard” – there are many others issues including the lack of candour on the part of the organising Te Whare Oki Oki Trust. This is a residence for people burying their sad lives with a blur of alcohol, no longer steady on their feet. Yet this proposed home is up a steep street, up steep steps, to a south-facing house which will lose sun during much of the winter. And unlike the central city and Newtown, Island Bay lacks drop-in places and other such facilities. The failure of the Trust to talk honestly with locals means that they will move into a hostile community. The location is not at all suitable for the wellbeing of the residents, and is chosen only for the convenience of the Trust. This ad hoc committee is exactly the wrong way to organise the running of this facility. The control body needs to understand how to go about setting up the facility and gaining community support – that is obviously lacking. It must have the necessary expertise to look after the residents and to provide suitable staff – including readily available backup when someone is sick. The hiring and control of staff can be a difficult task – it is not an easy job for a group of volunteers from the community lacking support of a large parent organisation, including human relations expertise. This is a disaster waiting to happen. It is faulty in so many ways. There is a real need for a wet house, well run in the right place. Unfortunately the current effort must be to stop this nonsense. The various organisations backing this idea need to go back to the drawing board, and do the job properly next time, with a wet house controlled from a firm base (such as Hospital Board) in a suitable place, set up and run in a professional manner with the early cooperation of neighbours.
John Robinson, Island Bay
(abridged)
Wet house
RE: The proposed wet house in Island Bay. Documents quoting the clients as being a risk to themselves and members of the community are quoted out of context and give an incorrect impression. Fears of physical and sexual abuse of children and young people are unfounded. A small group of six men and women to live in the house will be selected by their commitment to making permanent and positive life changes. The facility will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be supported by a number of Government and other agencies and some residents and organisations in Island Bay. Arguments that such a facility should be based in the inner city rather than a residential neighbourhood are based on Sheffield University research which shows that day centres should be located in the city centre. It is important to note that the proposed wet house is a residence that will provide safe and long term accommodation away from the inner city.
Ruth Harrison Chairperson, Te Whare Oki Oki Te Upoko O Te Ika Poneke Trust
(abridged)
Maranui Wellyword
I was interested in your Wellyword about Maranui salads. Recently I was in the Museum Hotel foyer where I noticed a pamphlet advertising “Maranui”. My understanding was that in this instance, Maranui was an online provider of organic veges. So I’m wondering if your Wellyword contributor has erroneously jumped to the conclusion that Moore Wilson’s “Maranui salads” are emanating from the proprietors of the temporarily defunct Maranui Café?
Christine Swift, Southgate
(abridged)
Neighbours have legitimate concerns with the impact on their families of a wet house for alcoholics in Ribble Street, Island Bay. But it is not just a question of “not in my backyard” – there are many others issues including the lack of candour on the part of the organising Te Whare Oki Oki Trust. This is a residence for people burying their sad lives with a blur of alcohol, no longer steady on their feet. Yet this proposed home is up a steep street, up steep steps, to a south-facing house which will lose sun during much of the winter. And unlike the central city and Newtown, Island Bay lacks drop-in places and other such facilities. The failure of the Trust to talk honestly with locals means that they will move into a hostile community. The location is not at all suitable for the wellbeing of the residents, and is chosen only for the convenience of the Trust. This ad hoc committee is exactly the wrong way to organise the running of this facility. The control body needs to understand how to go about setting up the facility and gaining community support – that is obviously lacking. It must have the necessary expertise to look after the residents and to provide suitable staff – including readily available backup when someone is sick. The hiring and control of staff can be a difficult task – it is not an easy job for a group of volunteers from the community lacking support of a large parent organisation, including human relations expertise. This is a disaster waiting to happen. It is faulty in so many ways. There is a real need for a wet house, well run in the right place. Unfortunately the current effort must be to stop this nonsense. The various organisations backing this idea need to go back to the drawing board, and do the job properly next time, with a wet house controlled from a firm base (such as Hospital Board) in a suitable place, set up and run in a professional manner with the early cooperation of neighbours.
John Robinson, Island Bay
(abridged)
Wet house
RE: The proposed wet house in Island Bay. Documents quoting the clients as being a risk to themselves and members of the community are quoted out of context and give an incorrect impression. Fears of physical and sexual abuse of children and young people are unfounded. A small group of six men and women to live in the house will be selected by their commitment to making permanent and positive life changes. The facility will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be supported by a number of Government and other agencies and some residents and organisations in Island Bay. Arguments that such a facility should be based in the inner city rather than a residential neighbourhood are based on Sheffield University research which shows that day centres should be located in the city centre. It is important to note that the proposed wet house is a residence that will provide safe and long term accommodation away from the inner city.
Ruth Harrison Chairperson, Te Whare Oki Oki Te Upoko O Te Ika Poneke Trust
(abridged)
Maranui Wellyword
I was interested in your Wellyword about Maranui salads. Recently I was in the Museum Hotel foyer where I noticed a pamphlet advertising “Maranui”. My understanding was that in this instance, Maranui was an online provider of organic veges. So I’m wondering if your Wellyword contributor has erroneously jumped to the conclusion that Moore Wilson’s “Maranui salads” are emanating from the proprietors of the temporarily defunct Maranui Café?
Christine Swift, Southgate
(abridged)
