Letters to the editor: Call for an early election

Time to call an election, a reader says. Photo/file

Call an election

Great letter from DM Wilson (Letters, December 18). I think the points made are right on the nail. It's time to call an early council election. It has become very obvious to me this bunch of councillors are stuck in the mud, their focus is away with the fairies. We now don't even have enough water, congested roads, and barely adequate infrastructure to cover the extra thousands of new Tauranga citizens.
The councillors' focus is on museums, libraries, buses, bikes, monorails, all luxury items a Hollywood-type council could afford, not roads, water, infrastructure and most importantly keeping rates down. The mayor's job is to ensure council runs a cost-effective unit covering the community's needs. So far I believe he has totally failed. Call an election and stop the rot.
Gary Horan
Bayfair

Poll unjustified

In my view, the objections by Western Bay councillors to Maori electoral wards do not justify a $70,000 poll. Mike Lally has been reported as saying he believes Maori wards are divisive. Maori wards would include the Maori community on the council. That is inclusive, not divisive. Kevin Marsh believes that Maori wards would give Maori more rights. Maori wards simply remove unfair representation. Removing unfairness is not an extra right. Margaret Murray-Benge believes that Maori wards would give Maori apartheid control of the council. Maori wards can only give Maori two councillors out of 12. That is not control of the council.
Peter Dey
Welcome Bay

Water restrictions good

Water restrictions are a good move to enforce before the real summer takes hold. I have been very conscious on this matter for years and use our empty plastic orange bottles for watering our hanging baskets, flower pots and tomato containers. For larger areas and flower beds in the lower garden I use the watering can and hose if necessary.
Peter Pratt
Judea