The Civic Amenities Group (CAG) (Bay of Plenty Times, May 23) who have put their hands up - and on their hearts, to make things happen, would appear on paper to be a powerful motor for any potential city project to be driven by.
I am sure we will get the predictable CAG push back from ratepayers and their handbraked elected councillors, who can see no further than a rates reduced horizon of a two dollar Tauranga.
But surely the voice of today and tomorrow can carry enough clout to counter this age old chestnut that has had far too much say in saying no to breathing life into Tauranga?
We now more than ever need a good hongi - a breath of life for our city that is struggling with its identity - no better example than not being able to get a Museum and or a Cultural centre across the line.
It's a bit embarrassing at best and somewhat shameful when it comes to flying our flag of what our founding fathers - both Maori and European - stood for, when two brilliant world class exhibitions (Battle of Gate Pa/Pukehinahina and World War I from Tauranga to the Trenches) have no future whare and will join many others who face a winter without a home.
We are at a crossroads in the future planning of our city, where looking back is not an option and nor is standing still.
Why wait for another summer to walk on by when we have this tight team of forward thinking, successful businessman, who make up the CAG ready to roll up their sleeves?
Sure it is easy to say it is about self-interest, but when you consider they have collectively amassed an impressive 400 years of growing up in Tauranga, they should be given tautoko (endorsement) from Tauranga Moana.
Conversely on our city council paepae - mayors aside as both are local boys, when you look at the lineage of our present batch of city councillors, I for one would have no idea how many, if any, grew up here?
And there's the rub.
I can only say with my social services provider potae on, only one TCC councillor has ever visited the front line where we work (John Robson) to see how they can help, while half of the tight eight team of CAG have done exactly that.
So if step one as explained by CAG chairman Paul Adams is to develop a game plan for their tight eight team with V8 power, then let's hope step two does bring in the backs to score the tries. And right in the middle at half back is the main man - or women who can champion the cause and get the team across the line.
For my two bobs' worth of leadership, the name Sheldon Nesdale should be promoted. If this name doesn't register on your radar just google TED X Tauranga.
And now for the back line who, in my humble opinion, should be made up mostly of women, Maori and a couple of community leaders, if we are to take 'all' of Tauranga forward.
Failure to do so could see us ghettoise Tauranga and that is an invoice none of us would want to leave for tomorrow's tamariki.
As winter knocks on our door we now have a hongi of hope for the future of Tauranga. CAG is a fresh breath of life to take us past the handbrake of blinkered busy bodies and cuffed councillors, who can't see past their next rates bill, and give our city some much needed soul.
It's up to us to 'get in behind' and give them a fair go while they have their hands up and plenty of post-sixty summers on their side.
broblack@xtra.co.nz
-Tommy Wilson is a best-selling author and local writer.
