After reading an article in a past Grey Power magazine headed, Your Voice Counts, I decided to exercise my voice at a recent public meeting and speak on the condition of our local footpaths.
An official at the meeting mentioned road funding being financed by the Government but I thought our footpaths were the responsibility of our council and national funding was for main highways.
After the key speakers finished addressing the meeting, there was the usual rush for a cuppa and bickie which prompts me to ask, “where was time for attendees to seek information, to present questions and to raise concerns? Were members concerns forgotten?”
I suggest the disabled, no matter their age, are reluctant to stand out and raise concerns. Too often, we brush aside as ‘normal’ those obstacles that can trouble the disabled and ability inhibited.
Recently, I rode down one street onto a busy road only to find there was no nearby access to a footpath on the other side. I also find riding from bump to bump and dodging overgrowth from sidewalk vegetation, is not uncommon with patchy concrete often receiving only ‘band aid’ repair.
Being a more recent user of a battery-powered appliance, which I call my ‘Iron Horse’, I can experience discomfort after riding to and from shops. Back discomfort from rough, bumpy, and, frankly, dangerous footpaths, is not uncommon.
I think, no matter their age, people with obvious walking aids, eyesight problems, balance and other afflictions which hinder mobility, need to be given more consideration.
Some years ago, when I was still very able, I tripped over a raised a slab in the footpath badly gashing my left knee. I made for the council office where staff quickly gave me a seat, a glass of water and a phone call to a nearby medical centre but staff at that centre told me to go to my own GP. He was some 20 km away! Someone needed a wake-up call!
I now notice there are increasing numbers of mobility carts in Kawerau – I counted 12 parked at the mall and around the township on one day. Perhaps indicates that we have an increasingly elderly population many with post-surgical and mobility problems.
Yes, it is a pretty town, but I ask if past councils have been too concerned in beautification and forgotten the people?
Now, as I ride my ‘mobility horse’, I come across footpaths with raised concrete edges, tree roots pushing paved sections upwards, cars parked on footpaths and open gates obstructing passersby. Dropping foliage and potholes are another hazard.
One thought, with coming unification of several council bodies these problems will be seen as bigger problems and sidelined. There will always be excuse to delay.
So, with that, I challenge all councillors to take a ride on some of our better and our worst footpaths to see what may await them as they age. Maybe it will spur them into taking some positive action. However, with the upcoming unification of several council bodies, I hope this issue won’t be seen as too problematic and then be sidelined.
Gary Abraham, Kawerau
