As you can see, I am updating my blog to give it a fresh new look. Whether its the weather (try saying that quickly!) or the fact that I am just too busy to mess around with browser bugs - too impatient to be patient - I am currently having visions of drowning everyone responsible for Internet Explorer. I remember back in the 1980’s when computer gurus promised we would be seeing Standards and were soon heading for cross-browser compatibility. Is it unreasonable to think that 20 years is a long, long time to wait?

Every day I interact with people for whom English is not their mother tongue. I am a Director of a non-profit foundation which has a Board of seven directors, speaking four different languages. I am also a member of a team of thirty people from 16 different countries, all working together on developing software. A number of the team use translation tools to facilitate communication in English while others of us have gained skills in reading other languages.

PNCC Press Release

The final stage of the structural upgrade of the chapel at Kelvin Grove cemetery will require the chapel to be closed from Monday, July 23, for about 15 working days.

During this period City Council contractors will remove the existing paint on the chapel ceiling which contains a small content of asbestos. The ceiling and walls will be repainted an off-white colour while the chapel is closed.

Parks Project Coordinator, Charles Foulds, apologises for any inconvenience but emphasises that the upgrade only affects the chapel and all other services at the cemetery remain fully operational.

PNCC Press Release - Jaycee Trust

An overseas trip, a chance to study and an opportunity to give something back to the community through their profession, trade or calling.

That’s what a Travelling Fellowship scheme administered by the City Council is offering New Zealand citizens under the age of 40 and who live in Palmerston North or the Manawatu.

Applications for the Jaycee Trust Travelling Fellowship Scheme are now open and people have until Wednesday, August 8, to respond.

PNCC Press Release:

James Line, which runs from State Highway 3 to Kelvin Grove, is currently being upgraded.

Stage one of the upgrade began last month from the railway line through to the cemetery gates.

The work involves the vertical realignment of the carriageway including kerb and channelling and a new footpath and grass berms. The 11 metre wide carriageway will be build to full urban standards for residents to enjoy and will act as a collector road for traffic from side streets.

PNCC Press Release:

Extensive experience in entertainment and venue management is what a crucial City Council appointee will bring to the job.

David Walsh, Manager of the Convention Centre and Acting Manager of Arena Manawatu, has been appointed Manager of Venues, Palmerston North.

The position is new and encompasses responsibility for both the Convention Centre and Arena Manawatu.

Last year the City Council decided that the synergies between both venues were very similar and one administration for both would benefit the city. The position was advertised nationally and David Walsh was appointed late last month.

The cost of the City Council’s recycling collection and rubbish disposal is reflected in an increase in the price of rubbish bags.

From August 1 the cost of a bag will rise from $1.00 ($10 for a pack of 10 – GST inclusive) to $1.25 ($12.50 for a pack of 10). The increase was confirmed in the City Council’s Annual Plan which is year two of its 10 Year Plan.

The Council’s Water and Waste Services Manager, Chris Pepper, says the Council is progressively moving towards a full user pays policy for its kerbside rubbish collection.

From PNCC Press Release:

A decision has been reached by a panel of three independent commissioners appointed by Palmerston North City Council, Horowhenua District Council and Horizons Regional Council to hear submissions on applications from Motorimu Wind Farm Limited to develop, construct, install, operate, maintain and decommission 127 wind turbines in the Tararua Ranges adjacent to Linton and Tokomaru. Commissioners Dinah Williams, Richard Heerdegen and David McMahon have granted consent for 75 of the proposed turbines to be constructed and have declined consent for the remaining 52 turbines. The grant of consent for the 75 turbines is subject to a number of detailed conditions imposed by the commissioners in appendices to their decision.
The applications were submitted to the three local authorities towards the end of last year and were followed by ten and a half days of public hearings held in Palmerston North in March this year.

City Councillors have approved a preferred option for the siting of the second city bridge across the Manawatu River.

The preferred bridge location is situated between the end of Riverside Drive and Staces Road.

The option was presented to last Wednesday’s full Council meeting which unanimously approved the option in principle and has released the preference for public consultation.

The Council’s consultant, OPUS, explains that, until such time as the route of the rural ring road is finalised and built, the bridge will be linked to Napier Road along Te Matai Road and Riverside Drive and to Aokautere Drive following the general alignment of Staces Road.

From PNCC Press Release:

Champion athlete and Olympic gold medallist, Peter Snell, is returning to where it all began in Palmerston North this afternoon.

In March 1959 a relatively unknown Peter Snell won his first New Zealand track titles at the national championships at Memorial Park. The following year he was a gold medallist at the Rome Olympics.

The double that Peter achieved in Palmerston North (880 yards and the mile) was repeated twice more in his illustrious career – at the Commonwealth Games in Perth (1962) and the Olympic Games in Tokyo (1964).