Vandals disgust reader

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 381, 9 April 1991, Page 6

Vandals disgust reader

• Rape; described in the dictionary as outrage, violation, despoilment, pillage, desecration.maltreatmen t and plunder. In the last month this act has touched either directly or indirectly every life in our community. First to suffer was our fire station affecting directly the lives of our volunteer firemen and their families and indirectly the lives of every person in our community, as not only was the fire station desecrated but valuable rescue equipment was taken. Equipment not supplied by the Fire Commission but bought with money raised through the generosity of every person in the community who has ever contributed in any way to the fund raising efforts of the Brigade. This act although bad enough was nothing to the despoilment that occurred at our primary school. A whole block of classrooms was despoiled in an act of senseless vandalism, affecting directly the lives of up to 80children and their families. Children who didn't want to go to school anymore because they could no longer feel safe or secure in their classrooms. Children whose long hours of work had been ruined, most of which can never by replaced, as some of the innocence of childhood has now been taken away for good. Not to mention the lives of the teachers, board of trustees, P.T.A and indirectly the community who will need to support fundraising ventures to replace the ruined carpets and pay for the cleaning bills. If the last two episodes were appalling this one is by far the

worst and affects every person in the community. The steam train that came into our community over the Easter weekend was the latest in this series of rapes. A train that bought in valuable resources in the form of people who came here prepared to spend money in our community, so making it easier to run our various businesses and voluntary organisations, without having to rely on our own community for all the financial support we need in order to operate effectively. The r ail w ay preservation society and the PTA, both voluntary organisations, were just two of the groups I noticed that had very worthwhile stalls on the station and seemed to be doing a good trade. This resource could now be lost to our community as the train was vandalized and valuable equipment stolen. If I had spent the time and money involved in restoring this train, I would definitely think twice before stopping overnight in Ohakune again. Hopefully this won't be the case but if it is every business in our community will suffer for it and it will be one less event we can use for raising the funds we so desperately need for the various organisations that we are required to support. All of these episodes I believe were just senseless acts of gross stupidity on the spur of the moment, but they have far reaching effects and ruin the lives of many people.

Majority

Victim