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The Nelson Photo News

 

6

Opinion...

In an effort to gauge the feelings of the man in the street about the Council's decision to press ahead with the Trafalgar Centre, "Photo News" approached people in Trafalgar and Bridge streets during the busy lunch-time period. The reluctance of many older people to have their views expressed publicly was obvious. Questions asked of shoppers and city workers were: Do you think the centre should be built? If not, why? Where would the money be better spent? Comments, those published with the accompanying photographs, and others, varied from definite "Noes" to the first question, to more tolerant views. "The city needs the centre but it also needs many other things too", was a fairly common reply. Some, associated with businesses which have pledged money, preferred not to express opinions; others admitted they knew very little about the project and were not in a position to comment and there were still others who arrived in Nelson after the centre was mooted and were not familiar with the background. The latter group tended to consider seven years, from the time the first public meeting was held, to any apparent definite steps being taken (such as tenders being called) to be a bewildering length of time. But there was one obvious, and disturbing, fact revealed by our stint in the street: Many people just don't seem to care!

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Maureen Limmer, food processor: The centre should be built as it is something the city needs, not only to cater for sports but also for cultural activities

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Auburn Hill, clay processor: There are many things that need doing first. The water in Nelson leaves a lot to be desired and you try to find a public toilet in the centre of town

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Sue Stringer, phototype setter: It should definitely be built now. The longer it's left the more expensive it will be

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Marie Boyer, waitress: Let's make Nelson a city with the Trafalgar Centre. It's needed for sports and other activities