Regarding Faulkner's Corner, 15-October 2010 ... I was very flattered and amused to note that Bill had bothered to waste his time to give credit to me as the scribe for Voter Empowerment. I take this as a compliment but it is somewhat misplaced by Bill who should be more worried about the facts catching up with him.
Regardless I would take the opportunity to say well down to those publishing the Voter Empowerment Bulletins for providing factual information that is otherwise suppressed by TCC.
Sadly little truth makes it to the ratepayer about frivolous debt creating decisions particularly over the last three years where ratepayers debt has doubled to around $350m with more coming. There are plenty reasons why the debt has increased and the money has been spent on wants not needs.
Personally I feel the Voter Empowerment Bulletins were far to restrained...
It is clear the ratepayer is uninformed about TCC activities, an example of this is the Southern Sewerage Pipeline and Te Maunga Plant upgrade that is to cost somewhere in the region of $250m as estimated in 2009. There are much better alternatives that are: Green, efficient, cost effective and economical.
Some of these technologies even make money but a starting cost of as little as $30m will give TCC a modern pre-treatment plant. The more expensive options would even pay a dividend to Tauranga and so reduce rates for everybody.
Most importantly the cost is low and the process is environmentally friendly. Bill as the former Projects Committee Chairman should at the very least have given proper consideration to these cost effective options and possibly avoiding at least $200m of capital debt that will still be with ratepayers long after Bill is gone. (abridged)
I. Stevenson CA Tauranga.

Editor's Note: Cr Bill Faulkner
re-iterates that his information regarding Mr Stevenson's involvement with Voter Empowerment is accurate and he stands by the comment.