Our mayor has an important role to play in Tauranga.
Stuart Crosby is the city's leader, the council's ceremonial leader, the person who has to provide leadership for our elected councillors, and keep some of them in line. I expect the job is hugely demanding, with long hours across the week, including weekends and public events.
It's almost as if the mayor is always on show. I certainly wouldn't want the job.
Mr Crosby also has to be available to constituents and take a stand on important local issues. It is not unusual to see him quoted in the Bay of Plenty Times.
His role is also to advocate for Tauranga and act in the best interests of the people and the city.
In my view, Mr Crosby is doing a good, solid job. He has consistently demonstrated he is a safe pair of hands and his time in office so far has been stable.
He's avoided being caught in controversy. He comes across as professional.
This week, he has again demonstrated leadership by making a personal and professional sacrifice.
As we reported yesterday, Mr Crosby has decided to get rid of the mayoral car, which had been his main form of transport for the past four years. Instead, he plans to buy himself a small economical car and charge the council mileage of $3500 a year for about 5000km.
The saving? Nearly $14,400 off the annual $895,000 rates-funded bill for the council's political wing.
The move came as a surprise as councillors briefly considered the fact the Remuneration Authority has decided not to give them a pay rise next year.
The mayor has received a rise of $4600, taking his gross salary to $136,700 - a salary that is in keeping with the fact his is the top role. But the authority was right to not give councillors a rise given these are tough financial times. The line has to be drawn somewhere.
Ordinary councillors are paid $74,171 a year, committee chairmen $81,226 and the deputy mayor $84,233.
These salaries are plenty because these people are here to serve the people. I am sure many work long hours, but this is their choice.
It also needs to be remembered that Tauranga is suffocating under the weight of a net external debt of $380 million.
If they can collectively reduce this debt by a large amount, perhaps they will have demonstrated to ratepayers they are worthy of a decent rise.
Mr Crosby's gesture of giving up his council car is just that, a gesture. It won't even scratch the surface of this crippling debt. But it is an important symbolic gesture.
It shows he is in tune with the mood of the city and the current financial climate that people are having to operate in. It is a smart move that should resonate with the people and he should be applauded for it.