Re: L Wood's Letter ‘Infighting disappointing' (The Weekend Sun, November 25). In response to L Woods I can assure your reader there is no 'infighting” at Western Bay of Plenty District Council. As an experienced councillor, I have long believed it is a privilege to serve my community. There are no arguments at our council, and no one expects there to be, but you must expect robust debate. What I do believe is that the community of Western BOP expect us to do our very best, and I am the second highest polling candidate, voted in by the community, whom I work for. I am fully aware of a Mayor's power, as it is his responsibility to decide who will be his deputy mayor, who will be chair and deputy of the committees we need. We have five committees, and six re-elected councillors, and I am the only one without a chairmanship of a major committee. But what I know is the community did not vote me in to be a puppet, and if I speak out it will always be for a very good reason.

M Murray-Benge, WBOP councillor.