In reply to ‘Democracy Suspended' by Steve Morris, expressed in your paper on January 29, he still doesn't understand he was fired by the Local Government Minister because he wasn't up to the task.

In his term he rightly acknowledges that our city had some of the highest residential rates of any city in New Zealand. Now if you consider that as an achievement, you can also add the huge financial bungles created as well.

You are right about the 'chilling” prospects of the burden on our fixed-income residents. It doesn't stop there though.

The Minister rightly identified you weren't up to the task and rightfully appointed commissioners to set things right. They now have the challenge to rectify the mess you have created.

The commissioners will prioritise the services you have allowed to be run down. I can tell you one thing, a new Mount library, as you once promised won't be on that list. Furthermore it won't happen in my lifetime.

What all this tells me is that you should never be allowed to set city rates again. If you cannot identify the problem, then just look in the mirror.

Robin Reid, Otumoetai