Waimea Weekly
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Your Community Newspaper
Wednesday 25 July 2012
‘A dragon please’ Page 9
Two year wait for reception Phillip Rollo The wider Tapawera area looks set to obtain full cell phone coverage, with Vodafone currently in negotiations with a “preferred candidate” over a site to build a cell phone tower on. However, residents could be forced to wait another two years for it to eventuate. Residents of the rural township have been fighting with Vodafone and Telecom for more than two years with some individuals writing, calling both companies, and even setting up a Facebook page in protest. Tapawera Area School principal Kelvin Woodley, community council chairperson Dinkie Phillips and Tasman District councillor Stuart Bryant all agreed that there was a want for cell phone coverage in the area. Residents currently meet near
pockets of reception to use their cell phones. The cell phone tower will be part of the New Zealand Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative. The government has appointed Chorus to provide connectivity to rural schools through a direct fibre connection and has appointed Vodafone to provide rural community coverage through the delivery of infrastructure and a wireless broadband service. “We know people in Tapawera are very keen for the service and we are trying to secure the necessary agreement – but there is still some way to go,” says Vodafone’s Emma Carter. “We do have a preferred candidate, but we’re yet to conclude an agreement with the landowner. Once that part of the process is successful we will apply for resource management consent.”
MEN in BUSINESS
Nelson teams excel Page 20
Page 14-15
Surviving another scooter challenge The challenge is to drive from Nelson city to the Marlborough Sounds in four days. It sounds simple enough, but there are plenty of buts. First, it must be done on a 50cc scooter, over some of the toughest off-road tracks in the top of the South Island. Then you must compete in challenges each day against the other riders with the winner raising cash for charity. Finally, you must do it with a smile on your face, although founder and organiser of the Survivor Scooter Challenge, Jason Monopoli, admits he’s never seen anyone struggle through the last one. The Survivor Scooter Challenge is now in its third year and will be bigger than ever. It’s a fun challenge, driving a 50cc scooter off-road and with great camaraderie. Jason started the event in New Zealand after competing in the Australian Postie Bike Challenge, where hundreds of people drive through the desert on a 50cc scooter. Since then it has grown from a few mates the first year to a maximum of 15 riders last year and 20 this year. Jason says he has already had confirmations from some riders for this year’s event but would like to see more
Survivor Scooter organiser Jason Monopoli is inviting others to be a part of this year’s event. Photo: Andrew Board. Insert: Action from last year’s challenge.
SEE PAGE 2
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