Today I found that twice as many businesses are closing down or going into receivership than a year ago. Some of these businesses have been around for a long time, but with a continuing decline in the economy, can no longer continue to prop up rents, staff and ongoing costs, and due to no fault of their own have no choice but to close down. At the same time I heard Western Bay District Council are putting rates up far above inflation figures. I feel it is time the WBDC staff were taken to task for their actions. Unlike other industries no major or even minor staff cuts have taken place. I believe that highly paid staff in the WBDC are not in the least worried and do not understand where the man is the street is at. ACEO on $6000 a week plus cannot be compared to a man on the pension or minimum wage. Staff on $2000 plus per week also do not comprehend. It is time for the so called Patterson's patch to reflect this reality, or shape up or ship out. Rate rises are a real concern, and current rises can only bring any responses, and the anger and frustration is building.

Colin Harding, Katikati.