With reference to Gary Horan's letter (Letters, December 20) I would have to agree with some comments that he referred to.
Sadly the present council and mayor have inherited the issue of Tauranga's inadequate infrastructure from previous elected councils.
Several of the present councillors have been on council in excess of three terms (10 years) along with our previous mayor, Stuart Crosby, who was on council for more than 25 years. They have let this city down.
Our new mayor and more recent councillors now have to deal with the issues and problems that have been ignored or delayed by previous councils.
The present council needs to refocus and deal with these major issues that we are facing rather than spending money on some of the items that people would refer to as non-essential.
Jane Baker
Tauranga
Democracy cost
I gather from Peter Dey's comments (Letters, December 20) a vote on Maori wards does not justify $70,000 to be spent on democracy.
Maybe he can enlighten me on the cost of democracy?
Mr Dey mentions that I have been reported as saying Maori wards are divisive but fails to mention that I believe in a level playing field for all and that ethnic-based groups should not have advantages over others.
I believe Mr Dey has lost the concept of equality and with no regard for the public good.
His proposal on Maori wards is a method to allow people to rely on patronage and payback as a means of advancing.
Instead of unifying our district and country to move forward on solving our problems it divides neighbour from neighbour.
Just like the Marine and Coastal Areas Act will do.
Maybe it is time for New Zealanders and Maori alike to wake up and realise just that we are New Zealanders — nothing else.
All this division and separation are like we are in the 19th century instead of the 21st and ethnic-based tribal politics has to stop.
Mike Lally
Te Puke
