The Tauranga City Council is made up of a Mayor and 10 councillors, and at least 20 per cent of them do not want to be there.

The two councillors for the Papamoa Ward do not want their seats.

They've applied for other jobs - seats in Parliament - Steve Morris for National and Clayton Mitchell for NZ First, and one was successful.

When elected, I for one expected them to serve for the full three-year term of the council, barring unforeseen circumstances.

But they're both using the council as a step in their self-aggrandisement.

No loyalty to the ratepayers, who elected them and who must pickup the tab for a by-election.

Now we have the unsuccessful one sitting in council wishing he was somewhere else.
I live in Papamoa, they were both supposed to be working for me and other ratepayers in this ward. They have both overtly been seeking other employment.

In non-governmental organisations this action would result in instant dismissal. No such luck for poor ratepayers.

We are rid of one, but get lumbered with the unsuccessful one.

Neither of them has served a year on the council.

As for the successful one being able to do both jobs, councillor and MP. He's a novice councillor and novice MP, he doesn't know what is expected of him and very arrogant to assume he can do both. The council and country do not need, nor want part-time legislators with divided loyalties.

P Dolden, Papamoa.