Mayor Stuart Crosby has had 25 years plus experience as a local Body representative for the community of Tauranga and I know the stress and strain it has place on him... He is showing signs of insecurity in his position and this is highlighted in his latest tactic to try to influence the community to secure the council ‘he' prefers.
It is a great shame it has tipped him over the edge by naming publicly all the candidates he wants to join his existing ‘yes' team.
He was questioned at a Matua gathering the other week, 'Who would you suggest to be suitable for council?” His response was, 'That's for you the public to decide.”
Stuart Crosby's campaign 'Proven Leadership” is certainly questionable, as he has been a big part in leading this city into $360 million debt and besides that he cannot control let alone manage the councillors under him. Is this why he is having to 'pick” his own team?
Well Stuart, after this incident naming 'your” council, the backbone you maybe once had is certainly now showing its weakness.
Also a leaflet was put in letterboxes in our area, telling us who to vote for – so much for democratic rights. I for one will certainly not be voting for any of them. I have the backbone to choose my own candidates and don't need Stuart Crosby or anyone else to tell me what to do! (abridged)
R. Graham, Tauranga.

Mr Crosby responds: Mr. R. Graham is entitled to his opinion which is his right in our democratic system. Yet he believes that I am not entitled to have a view on who may or may not make good elected representatives.I do not and have never had a 'yes team” in my terms of mayor, just check the voting record of council decisions and it is clearly demonstrated there is no consistent block voting by any group. The quality of governance has been one of the key issues in this election and I believe that it is a sign of strength not weakness to raise this issue .
There is only so much you can do as the head of council if you have a number of councillors who do not accept personal responsibility for what they say or do and do not understand the notion of collective responsibility.
Debt is a reasonable financial tool to fund the infrastructure of the city as it spreads the cost over a number of generations who get the benefit . In my terms as mayor we have capped debt and have an improved credit rating which is an indication of strong financial management.

Stuart Crosby, Mayor.