Did you know that approximately one-third of people and rates collected in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council lay north of the Omokoroa turn off? The rates component collected to promote and advance our area amounts to tens of thousands of dollars. How much is spent in Katikati and Waihi Beach? Bugger all.

I have talked to Smartgrowth, for example, until I am blue in the face, with nil results. Sure, most of the providers have been very good for Tauranga City and to Te Puke, no doubt about that.

But in spite of the Mayor's PR efforts and comments, economic input in Katikati is, in my opinion, almost nil. But hey, the rates and charges are hurting like hell!

Developers here are castrated, with no profit incentive in sight, so why would they do it?

Commercial and industrial potential developers are reluctantly recommending people go to Waihi.

Anyone with any brains knows that economic progress is the only thing that will lift us out of the debt and rate trench we are in, but I believe the council has blinkers on and is not listening.

It would appear our only way out is either total policy change (not likely) or alliance with our neighbours. It may be our only way out. We are currently the 'forgotten people”.

But hang on, some of us are rising up against the propaganda gurus, and bull dust, and collectively plotting a better course for our lovely people. About time! We are gathering momentum with a host of good people behind us. Some of us have had a gutsful! Watch this space.

Norm Mayo, Katikati.