Western Bay District Council is currently asking for public input on representation, ie how many councillors and community boards etc. Council systems are different from regional councils. The mayor is elected separately, and he or she choose committee chairs, who then have a financial and power advantage (I call it an A team and B team system) and in so doing can to some extent influence council. The B team members have less allegiance to the 'system” and in my opinion tend to have a great independence. I call them the fox terriers or ankle biters, who can better rock the boat, or voice public concerns outside of standard policy, when the need arises. Because the salary pool or cost remains the same size irrespective of numbers reducing the number of councillors while concentrating power in fewer hands, and reducing the spread of representation, will not lead to salary saving at all, and in my opinion can only reduce service to ratepayers at a time when we most need it. So one must wonder and speculate why a few councillors favour the reduced alternative. I know the answer, think on it, use your democratic right and put in a submission now.

Norm Mayo, councilor WBDC.