Why is it that Tauranga seems to buck the current NZ trends when it comes to economic directions and issues?
Whilst throughout NZ there are increasing numbers in employment, house prices are increasing, mortgagee sales are reducing here in Tauranga our signals are all going in the opposite direction and seemingly they are not going to improve, at least in the short-term.
Have you noticed Downtown Tauranga recently as I am feeling very concerned for the retailers that are there.
There would be at least 20 empty retail tenancies and I understand that more will appear, over the winter months, as conditions become even harder. And then there are the empty high rise buildings, in the middle of the city that all leads to a further feeling that the CBD is in decline and needs urgent help.
Is the perception that we do not have a business friendly Council part of the overall problem because this seems to be the only common factor and is certainly one that I have been made aware of?
Few, if any, of our currently elected representatives have any apparent business background whatsoever but with the election, later this year we have the opportunity to change this.
I am certainly not proposing wholesale changes but when you have councillors stating that the role is a lifestyle and not a job (even whilst drawing a salary of $80,000 plus) this is just not acceptable and people such as this deserve to be dethroned.
Surely there are people with a common view, but also independent thinkers, that believe that they can and will do better so now is the time to think about standing for the 2013 local body elections.

Mike Baker, Bethlehem.