I am pleased that recent correspondents are urging people to think about the forthcoming Local Body elections as there is no doubt that we require a number of changes.
I would certainly not be necessarily supporting wholesale changes, as some councillors are performing well and in-depth knowledge of Council activities is also vital, but some councillors are revealing, with every vote that they cast, that there are potentially better people out there to replace them.
In my view the big issues facing the Tauranga City Council is the level of debt, rating changes and probable amalgamation of local Councils.
In respect to Council amalgamation many of us will remember the forced merger, in 1989, of the Mount Maunganui Borough Council with the Tauranga District Council which at least initially was of little benefit to Mount residents and ratepayers.
I personally do not oppose consideration of amalgamation but if it is to occur it must be a win win to everyone and not a loss for one group and a huge benefit to another group and this is my major concern.
I understand that the current Mayor is a strong supporter of a BOP Super Council and I suspect he also has a desire that he will be Mayor of this super Council.
Take my warning that unless there is debate and consideration of the advantages and disadvantages this is going to happen without the proper input from the people that are going to be most affected and that's the ratepayers.
Later this year we have the opportunity to elect the Council that is going to represent us over the following three years and if there are people considering standing now is the time to make that decision and possibly like minds (but also individual thinkers) could decide upon forming a team
to stand.

Mike Baker, Bethlehem.