Rates increases

So here we go again with prospective candidates standing for local election promising that they will strive for lower – whatever that means – or inflation indexed rate increases. I cannot recall any one of them supporting the high rate increases of past years, especially the last one. So if they do support the former who then is behind the process that sees the Council members failing in their objectives? We need to know.

I remember a person who voted for Stewart Crosby to be Mayor thinking he was responsible for negotiating of the Government funded bridge clip on, when it was Winston Peters. In fact Mr Crosby was happy to reinstate bridge tolls. Confusion abounds, because we don't know who we are voting for most of the time, but does it really matter if Council is not in control?

Early on, successful candidates it seems, are dubbed with the sword of wisdom and empowerment (a nauseating cliché) which allows them to become liberated from their pre-election promises until the next election. Councillors, especially ward councillors, please note, we have our own inner cities where we live and play e.g. the Mount and Papamoa district. Remember, there is only one thing that rate payers own outright in Tauranga City, and that is the Council debt.

Dave Wilson, Mount Maunganui.

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