A newspaper headline read ‘Candidate Election Signs Vandalised'. Perhaps it's a ratepayer revolt and the rejection of Council waste and indebtedness from the ‘10,000 vehicles a day expressway through the Swamps' of Route K to Councillors Guy's less expensive ‘Steps to Nowhere' under the Chapel Street bridge, not as dear but equally less used.
Currently the Council plan to lure us over the railway tracks opposite The Strand again – as unlikely to succeed as the other expensive failures. Council claims ‘Not a penny of rates spending' on their white elephant project, paid for by raising loans, whose interest will cost a debt-burden ratepayers for ever.
Previous white elephant projects like Baywave and Mount Pools expansion or the was-to-be ratepayer funded second Harbour Bridge (fortunately a Winston bauble of power, and was taxpayer funded).
Or the ever-extending Council chambers and ever refurbished main Library, extending the rates a debt over-burden. Perhaps Councillor Guy's cemetery steps, down from Council $76,000 to Murray's $13,000 is a sign of a new Council prudence with rates and debt? But don't bet on it: Councillor Curach's failure to cut back $2½ million on Council spending, foiled by the ‘Good Old Boys' group in Council is a more probably sign of Council-to-come.
IE Petrie, Tauranga.