Athlete Ben led off run (7

It’s amazing to think it is nearly two years since Covid-19 fi rst 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 fl u 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

Waiuku War Memorial Town Hall Monday, 21 February 2022 at 7:00pm All Welcome

If lockdown is on meeting will be held on-line. To take part please contact Barry Gibbon 021 627 149 or Maurice Brighouse 021 654 567

Into 2022 we charge, under the confused state of the traffi c 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 shape. I would love to see someone with some understanding of how council works and with local government political values compared to those who have shown interest thus far.

Time will tell. I know for sure though that we will have a new THE BREEZE

Deputy Mayor with our own Bill Crossword Crossword No XC251406 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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ACROSS 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) 11 About to be taking drug 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 Rex gets stuck into finest French port (5) 21 I tried swimming with Penny in disturbed sea (4,3) 23 Foster child’s fuss disturbed Pete (7) 24 Terrible cruelty with knives perhaps (7) 25 I’d plunged into river to find spear (7) 26 Furniture of actor’s assistant from Cardiff? (5,7)

Crossword No XC251406 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 ACROSS DOWN 1 9 10 2 Athlete Ben led off run (7) 3 Closest home houses a Royal Engineer (7) 4 Crazy place to find flag? (2,3,4) What’s-his-name is lanky, sticky fellow (12) Aviatrix gives listener courage we hear (7) Some birds do this at the speed of a fighter plane? (7) 11 5 Old lady captivates a doctor with snake (5)About to be taking drug to ease pain (7) 12 6 Plant causing disappearance of pests? (7)A moist perfume ultimately designed to make fine spray (7) 7 Putting up with demeanour (7) 13 8 Teen regrets bad time in London thoroughfare Petty quarrel involving river fish (5) 14 (6,6) Failure to notice supervision (9) 16 9 They don’t want to see Brussels sprout! (12)Suitable means to an end (9) 19 15 One removes former motor vehicle (9)Rex gets stuck into finest French port (5) 21 17 Flat pack from Cornish town (7)I tried swimming with Penny in disturbed sea (4,3) 18 Writer is awfully rude about Rugby’s first 23 students (7)Foster child’s fuss disturbed Pete (7) 24 25 26 19 They give better odds (7) 20 Militant leader in Exeter excited radical (7) 22 Mentally defeat some tipsy characters (5) Terrible cruelty with knives perhaps (7) I’d plunged into river to find spear (7) Furniture of actor’s assistant from Cardiff? (5,7)

Cashmore retiring from Council after absolutely stellar performances over the years. I can also predict with some certainty that there will be a new Chair of the Franklin Local Board with the current bloke not seeking a return to the board after four terms which is long enough in my view. It is time for others to be able to shine and provide local leadership and I think the current Board has a great mix of experience and youth so is well placed to continue to provide some consistency.

So 2022 is going to be interCrossword No XC251406esting politically both locally and nationally and my greatest hope is we are able to head into post covid 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 settings as soon as possible. Finally I want to acknowledge 10 8 DOWN 2 Athlete Ben led off run (7)those who have endured and ad- 3 Closest home houses a Royal Engineer (7) justed their travel habits and accept 4 Crazy place to find flag? (2,3,4)11 some short term pain for the long 12 5 Old lady captivates a doctor with snake (5) 13 term gain of the roundabout at 14 15 6 7 Plant causing disappearance of pests? (7) Putting up with demeanour (7)SH22 and also the incredible surf 8 Teen regrets bad time in London thoroughfare club team we have out at Karioitahi (6,6)16 17 Beach who have had huge chal18 19 20 9 They don’t want to see Brussels sprout! (12) 21 lenges this year both in the water 22 23 15 17 One removes former motor vehicle (9) Flat pack from Cornish town (7)and out. They are a huge asset 18 Writer is awfully rude about Rugby’s first who have been part of a concerted students (7)24 effort with Police and Council to try 25 19 They give better odds (7) 26 to deal with so many issues over 20 22 Militant leader in Exeter excited radical (7) Mentally defeat some tipsy characters (5)summer so thanks everyone, bring on a better year.

ACROSS DOWN

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 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 disqualifi cation. 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 identifi cation 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 suspicious activity at the house.

We have been investigating a local man who has been responsible for at least 20 petrol drive offs in recent weeks. Petrol drive offs are of course when you

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) 11 with Sgt Dean Borrell About to be taking drug 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 Rex gets stuck into finest French port (5) 21 I tried swimming with Penny in disturbed sea (4,3) 23 Foster child’s fuss disturbed Pete (7) 24 Terrible cruelty with knives perhaps (7) 25 I’d plunged into river to find spear (7) 26 Furniture of actor’s assistant from Cardiff? (5,7)

fi ll 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 identifi ed 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

2 Athlete Ben led off run (7) 3 Closest home houses a Royal Engineer (7) 4 Crazy place to find flag? (2,3,4) 5 Old lady captivates a doctor with snake (5) 6 Plant causing disappearance of pests? (7) 7 Putting up with demeanour (7) 8 Teen regrets bad time in London thoroughfare (6,6) 9 They don’t want to see Brussels sprout! (12) 15 One removes former motor vehicle (9) 17 Flat pack from Cornish town (7) 18 Writer is awfully rude about Rugby’s first students (7) 19 They give better odds (7) 20 Militant leader in Exeter excited radical (7) 22 Mentally defeat some tipsy characters (5)

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