Your correspondent S. Caughey (20/3/20) lambasts the City Council and councillor Baldock in particular.

While there's plenty I disagree with the city council on, there's just no effort to be objective in this letter.

I'm sure that there isn't a councillor who doesn't care about the impact of rates increases on residents, including our deputy mayor. All our elected are aware of the vulnerability of their jobs and try to avoid unpopular decisions.

I'd say, having lived my life here, that this aversion to making hard decisions is a big factor in our lack of facilities.

Holding rate increases deprives us of many items from our wish list. It also transfers unpopular decisions to future councils, and coming generations.

'Extravagant demands” spoken of are mythical. We lack community amenities that every city and large town in New Zealand possesses.

On the other hand we have much to thank TCC for, like beautiful gardens and recreation areas, walk and cycleways etc.

With the extreme demands of being the fastest growing city in New Zealand, capital expenditure items like water treatment are a huge burden.

My first rates bill nearly 40 years ago was $750, today it's less than $2500. It hasn't kept up with inflation and our rates are about the national average.

Murray Maunder, Otumoetai