Catrina Jones

Mawera Karetai’s May 16 Beacon letter had some cryptic commentary directed at unknown person(s).

However, in her controversial May 23 letter she clarified she was referring to newly announced mayoral candidate Philip Jacobs and new councillors.

I consider Mr Jacobs to be very astute, sincere, honest, capable and dedicated.

He has attended council meetings for a year. In December, he presented to council a powerful report on our council’s out-of-control spending and offered sound solutions.

In the Beacon, on May 21, Mr Jacobs said: “Whakatāne District Council needs new councillors or else, if I become mayor I will be trapped in the scenario Mayor Luca largely is – a restraint agenda”.

Live streaming of council meetings helps the public see what it is going on, although much takes place behind closed doors too.

I consider Mayor Victor Luca has uppermost in his mind, the ideals, considerations and knowledge that will benefit the whole community.

He has inherited circumstances (recession and high inflation) and been up against a core group of councillors, who are big spenders and resistant to keeping to basic infrastructure in this economy.

I tire of hearing this core group, individually, repeatedly, quote at council meetings about setting rates that: “council has kicked the can down the road for so long and not been charging enough for rates because the public want/demand lower rates and this causes a shortfall, and we need to catch up”.

This is hogwash.

In 2023, the increase was 9.6 percent. In 2024, it was 15 percent, and this year it will be 11.7 percent.

Over three years, a 40.8 percent increase. This group of spenders need to look at past council balance sheets and the proof is there. Plain and simple, one can see the shortfall is caused by overspending and excessive debt.

Dr Luca has been very clear about the council needing to “live within our means”. This core group have been part of unnecessary spending and some expensive fiascos.

I do respect their opinions and that they are passionate about a Rex Morpeth upgrade, the tidal pool, Mitchell Park upgrade and the now defunct boat harbour.

However, groundwork, consultancy and health and safety aspects have been seriously jeopardised and been costly and poorly executed. This group shows empathy, but are determined to resist the logic/necessity to “live within our means”.

One can only assume that other forces are at play.

Dr Luca has ruffled a few feathers and stood on some toes, but he has stood his ground and been consistent.

I am looking forward to next month when Prime Minister Chris Luxon officially removes any reference to the four well-beings (social, environmental, economic and cultural) from the Local Government Act 2002. Surely, this will make a difference.

Whakatāne district ratepayers are justified to be upset by the council’s overspending, costly mistakes, high rates and poor judgment.

This core group have their hearts ruling their decisions and have not adjusted or heeded the difficult economic times and ignore public submission opinions.

I acknowledge what a difficult job it is to be a councillor.

I consider all our councillors are dedicated to their jobs and I hear their passion, knowledge and desire to pursue a goal at council meetings.

Councillors are excellent at other aspects of council work, but some are majorly resistant to doing more with less, are not being prudent stewards of our resources and unwilling to negotiate trade-offs between desires and affordability.

Mayor Luca has set his expectations and supplied information, facts and figures and has been transparent.  

He has his head and heart in balance for our community, as does Gavin Dennis and Andrew Iles.

I am looking forward to reading in upcoming Beacons, all the candidates’ agendas.

I expect to read their clear priorities, policies and what they want to get done.

I wish all the present and prospective candidates well.