After 33 years on the Katikati Community Board – with a few gaps – under seven or more mayors, can make you a bit politically cynical.

But Katikati is now at a crunch point. Western Bay of Plenty District Council, according to local government analyst Larry Mitchell, is at the bottom of the heap of 57 councils debt and rate-wise, so the only way out is up.

Let's control debt and rate rises within our income, as Thames-Coromandel District Council has done. So how do we get there? I'm encouraged by our new mayor's promise to improve public input, and listen more to the ratepayers.

We desperately need good leadership, and I am excited! There is a strong public concern regarding a new proposed library and hub in Katikati, and associated affordability issues.

I believe the public have not had sufficient input to the project – nor enough financial information. This must change. Consider turning the site in to main street parking, which is desperately needed.

Surprise, surprise, a staff member recently presented an option whereby an add-on south to the existing building could increase the book space by 50 per cent, and solve the problem – let's consider that.

Debt is important. Currently, the economy is booming, but some spenders have a short memory. So let's go back to our ratepayers, it is called democracy!

N Mayo, Katikati Community Board member.