Latest letter

The letters to the editor of the Southland Times around the driftwood sculptures are becoming more and more bold and creative.
Today's, from David Russel makes the point that has become very apparent, that the public, ordinary people, us, we, have a powerful voice and can shape circumstance by our shared responses - we aren't beholden to the actions of bullies, curmudgeons and councils, where those decisions run against the will of the people. It's a very encouraging state of affairs!

 Cunning sculptural plot


I have seen through the cunningly rendered plot surrounding Wayne Hill's clever sculptures.
It's brilliant.
Focus the nation's attention on a great little sea-side "family"and "culturally" friendly town beset by a mean gang of four, and a heartless council attempting to wrap creativity up in toxic paperwork.
That and the big fee surely designed to crush our hero at the centre of the saga.
Enter Jo Citizen and the merry band of free spirited, fun-loving Rivertonians, who set in motion a tsunami of public support.
And to our hero, surfing the support superbly, and continuing to exhibit his wit and wisdom through wood, bigger and better projects beckon.
The plot keeps evolving.
The fees may be waived. For after all, is it not the councils' commercial clients who benefit from the extra traffic.
Imagine the traffic that will be generated by the new "Sculpture Capital of the South", that ought to arise after the council awards Wayne Hill the first of the new Sculpture Artist in Residence?
I predict he will be followed by a stone artist, who will utilise the region's famous pakohe/argillite stone found in pre-sculpted abundance around that glorious coast.
And having got the neurological protest message satisfactorily hammered home, the television crews can be standing by in waiting to document the half-hour show documenting the saga set in motion by Wayne.
So, two things to sort, and let's hope at last, the message to both sets of decision makers is undeniable.
The public is right after all.

David Russell, Invercargill