In 1989 the Lange Government threw a lifeline to the failing Tauranga City Council by arranging a marriage between it and Mount Maunganui Borough Council and Papamoa.
What happened to the reluctant bride's dowry of money, property and an increased rates contributions base?
Prior to amalgamation, Mount Maunganui Borough Council set a record as never having a deficit in its history, something which the initial Tauranga City Council had never achieved even with its then higher rates base.
To help their new bride feel at home her rates were increased; and later on-going tolls for a paid harbour bridge were retained - an iniquitous and inequitable act.
All that extra money and support was not enough to get the books into the black. What went wrong?
One might have thought a realistic management philosophy would have emerged within the new Tauranga District Council towards paying off debt and developing a responsible direction to live within its means, such as a save and pay as you go strategy.
However, that did not happen.Instead, it seems that a compulsive credit card shopper syndrome has now emerged. It would be interesting to know if our Tauranga District Mayor and councillors have managed their household budgets as prudently as they have handled our council budget.
If they have, some may be sweating on being re-elected into power, so they can retain their salaries to manage loan repayments.

Dave Wilson, Mount Maunganui.