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WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ
Well done West Franklin It’s amazing to think it is nearly two years since Covid-19 first reached New Zealand. It’s been a stressful past two years for everyone, and especially those in the medical sector. However, we have been very grateful to have the support of our local community, staff and patients. The people of Waiuku and West Franklin have been marvellous, not only in helping each other, but also in following the health guidelines that have enabled us to mostly keep Covid at bay here in our small town. The Omicron variant is now in the community in New Zealand. Omicron is much more easily transmitted than other variants, so keeping on with these safe practices is imperative to slow the spread. We realise that many people may be anxious at the thought of Covid-19 in Waiuku, but we encourage you all to keep doing what you’ve been doing. Remember to be masked and social distance whenever possible, scan or sign in at businesses, and use hand sanitiser. Above all, stay home if you are ill. Testing and vaccinating are two major ways that we can get on top of the virus. As such, the medical centre will keep swabbing and vaccinating as we’ve been doing. So, if you -(or anyone you care for) has cold or flu symptoms, we advise getting a test. Now is not the time for complacency. You will also need a swab if you have been to a location of interest. You can email the medical centre on covidvax@waiukumedical.co.nz to book either a swab or a vaccination. We would also like to remind people to not enter the medical centre building if they have Covid-19 symptoms. We know that everyone will understand the need to protect the staff and other patients. If you have symptoms, please ring reception on 09 235 9102 and you will be told what to do. Additionally, we encourage telephone and video consultations. If you do need to be seen in person, we ask that patients come in by themselves unless they need a support person. This is to reduce the chance of the medical centre being a place of interest. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. Our success does not come from ourselves alone, our strength derives from the many. Jackie Burton Practice Manager Waiuku Health Centre 09 2359102 admin@waiukumedical.co.nz
FEBRUARY 2022 COMMENT AND OPINION
Into 2022 we charge, under the confused state of the traffic light system and the unknown. So, what does 2022 look like I wonder? Here are some of my predictions or wild guesses as to what this year might bring. I guess we won’t be returning to life anywhere near how we used to live it prior to the outbreak of Covid before the end of this year. However sadly, I think we will see a continuation of the confusion, fear and division within communities, friends and families which has become the norm it would seem. As those things continue, I would not be surprised to see a growing reluctance to abide by the rules which will become a real problem for those tasked with enforcing them. The council elections are scheduled for October, however my crystal ball is a bit murky here when it comes to the mayoral race. Auckland’s current Mayor has yet to announce his plans but another Labour candidate is putting his hand up and yet another Labour possibility saying he too might give it a crack. So, it may be the possibility of three centre left candidates contesting against one another. Never a better time for a quality centre right candidate to have a go, but where are they? A reasonably well-known citybased restaurateur has launched his campaign with big billboards and plenty to say about stuff unrelated to local government. History shows it is not easy for business folk charging into Council promising to kick the place in to
business so please don’t get caught in a shouting match, it achieves nothing but make the situation worse. Excess noise complaints ring the council 09 301 0101. We have had the usual issues with cars doing burnouts and skidding around town. Unless we see them ourselves, to take action we need a registration or a good vehicle description and even better the driver’s name or his description. From that point on its easy for us to investigate. Once we know who it is we can seize the car and prosecute the driver which usually results in a disqualification. Don’t be too afraid to give us this information like a name or statement. We won’t release your name unless required for court and that is only with your consent and is usually months down the track. If we have a complaint of a car doing skids there is little we can do without some form of identification
2022 AGM
Waiuku War Memorial Town Hall Monday, 21 February 2022 at 7:00pm All Welcome If lockdown is on meeting
shape. I would love to see someone will be held on-line. with some understanding of how To take part please contact council works and with local govBarry Gibbon 021 627 149 ernment political values compared or Maurice Brighouse 021 654 567 to those who have shown interest thus far. Time will tell. I know for sure THE BREEZE though that we will have a new Deputy Mayor with our own Bill Cashmore retiring from Council Crossword No XC251406 after absolutely stellar perforCrossword No XC251 mances over the years. I can also 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 predict with some certainty that 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 there will be a new Chair of the 9 10 Franklin Local Board with the cur9 10 rent bloke not seeking a return to 11 12 the board after four terms which is 11 12 long enough in my view. It is time 13 14 15 for others to be able to shine and 13 14 15 provide local leadership and I think 16 17 18 19 20 the current Board has a great mix 16 17 18 19 of experience and youth so is well 21 22 23 placed to continue to provide some 21 22 23 consistency. So 2022 is going to be inter24 24 25 25 esting politically both locally and Crossword No XC251406 nationally and my greatest hope is 26 26 we are able to head into post covid3 1 2 4 5 6 7 settings as soon as possible. 8 ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN Finally I want to acknowledge 9 101 What’s-his-name is lanky, sticky fellow (12) 2 Athlete 1 and What’s-his-name is lanky, sticky fellow (12) 2 Athlete Ben led off run (7) those who have endured ad9 Aviatrix gives listener courage we hear (7) 3 Closest 9 Aviatrix gives listener courage we hear (7) 3 Closest home houses a Royal En 10 Some birds do this at the speed of a fighter 4 Crazy p justed their travel habits11 and accept 10 Some birds do this at the12speed of a(7) fighter 4 Crazy place to find flag? (2,3,4) plane? 5 Old lad some short term pain for plane? the long (7) Old pain lady (7) captivates a 6doctor 11 About to be taking drug5to ease Plantwit ca term gain of the roundabout atto be taking14drug 12 11 13 About to pain perfume (7) 6 Plant causing disappearance of p 15 ease A moist ultimately designed to make 7 Putting SH22 and also the incredible surf 12 A moist perfume ultimately designed 7 Putting up with demeanour (7)reg fine sprayto (7)make 8 Teen spray (7) bad time in London 13 Petty quarrel involving 8riverTeen fish regrets (5) (6,6) club team we have out at16 fine Karioitahi 17 18 19 20 13 Petty quarrel involving river fish (5)to notice supervision(6,6) 14 Failure (9) 9 They do Beach who have had huge chal16 Suitable means to an end 15 Brussels One rem 14 Failure to notice supervision (9) 9 (9)They don’t want to see lenges this year both in 21the water 23 port (5) former17 Flatvehi pac 16 Suitable means to 22an end19 (9) Rex gets stuck into finest 15 French One removes motor and out. They are a huge I triedport swimming with17 Penny in pack disturbed 18 town Writer 19 asset Rex gets stuck into finest21French (5) Flat fromsea Cornish (7)i (4,3) students who have been part of21a 24concerted I tried swimming with Penny in disturbed sea 18 Writer is awfully rude about Ru 25 23 Foster child’s fuss disturbedstudents Pete (7)(7) 19 They gi effort with Police and Council (4,3) to try 24 Terrible cruelty with knives perhaps (7) 20 Militant 23 Foster child’s fuss disturbed Pete (7) 19 They give better odds (7) to deal with so many issues over 26 25 I’d plunged into river to find spear (7) 22 Mentall 24 Terrible cruelty with knives perhaps (7) 20 Militant leader in Exeter excited summer so thanks everyone, bring 26 Furniture of actor’s assistant from Cardiff? (5,7) 25 I’d plunged into river to find spear (7) 22 Mentally defeat some tipsy char on a better year. 26 Furniture of actor’s assistant from Cardiff? (5,7) ACROSS DOWN
Less in Waiuku — but still busy Over the holiday period Waiuku was quieter than normal with so many people away. We have had our summer patrols at Karioitahi beach over the peak dates and even since those dedicated patrols ended it seems to have reduced a lot of the bad driving behaviour at the beach. I would like to think that the message has got through to some. Council helped with new fencing and the electronic sign. Last week we had a anti vaccination protest in the town square that drew a lot of complaints from passers-by. It is not against the law to protest in New Zealand and unless there is some breach of the criminal law Police do not intervene. I think many people played into protesters hands by engaging with them, getting themselves worked up and then calling Police when it got heated. This is drawing us away from a core
West Franklin Community Trust
Local government election will provide some challenges
or signed evidence from a witness. But if it is happening right now call 111, there could be a cop car around the corner. My Waiuku team assisted Tuakau and Pukekohe Police and executed a search warrant at a Pukekohe house last week where a large-scale cannabis cultivation was discovered. Most of the house had been converted to a cannabis growing operation with approximately 150 plants, each plant about 1½ metres high all grown under heat lamps. The home had been re-wired at the street to avoid detection and huge power bills. It took most of the day to dismantle the operation. A Vietnamese man remains in custody on charges of cultivating cannabis for supply. It was a long day in 29-degree temperatures. Let us know if you suspect such goings on at your neighbours, closed up buildings, odd power surges and suspi-
Crossword
1 What’s-his-name is lanky, sticky fellow (12) 9 Aviatrix gives listener courage we hear (7) 10 Some birds do this at the speed of a fighter plane? (7) with Sgt Dean 11 About to be taking drug Borrell to ease pain (7) 12 A moist perfume ultimately designed to make fine spray (7) 13 Petty quarrel involving river fish (5) 14 Failure to notice supervision (9) 16 Suitable means to an end (9) 19 Rexactivity gets stuck at intothe finesthouse. French port (5) cious 21 I tried swimming with Penny in disturbed sea We have been investi(4,3) gating localfuss man who Pete (7) 23 Fosterachild’s disturbed 24 with knives perhaps hasTerrible been cruelty responsible for at (7) 25 I’d plunged into river to find spear (7) least 20 petrol drive offs in 26 Furniture of actor’s assistant from Cardiff? (5,7)
recent weeks. Petrol drive offs are of course when you fill your car up with gas but don’t pay. It easy to do but hard to get away with as there are CCTV cameras everywhere. We also get alerts when a car that has been identified as not paying for fuel in the past turns up at a service station later. Offenders try to change or hide the number plate. This man will be facing 13 offences of theft. Lastly a familiar but often ignored message for rural properties, secure your property, lock sheds, secure farm bikes, consider alarms and security cameras.. We have a great catch rate with our rural burglars but they eventually get bail or released. Don’t be his next victim. — Dean
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 15 17 18 19 20 22
Athlete Ben led off run (7) Closest home houses a Royal Engineer (7) Crazy place to find flag? (2,3,4) Old lady captivates a doctor with snake (5) Plant causing disappearance of pests? (7) Putting up with demeanour (7) Teen regrets bad time in London thoroughfare (6,6) They don’t want to see Brussels sprout! (12) One removes former motor vehicle (9) Flat pack from Cornish town (7) Writer is awfully rude about Rugby’s first students (7) They give better odds (7) Militant leader in Exeter excited radical (7) Mentally defeat some tipsy characters (5) Ph. 09 238 5188 Mob. 021 343 335 www. sepio.co.nz Specialists in commercial and domestic insurance
Answers on page 14
Sudoku 1
9 4
6 1
9
2
5 8
1 6
8
9
2 1sudoku.com
4 3
8
9
4 8
4
3
1 7
7
6 n° 38757 - Level Hard
Answers on page 14
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