Alexander (Sandy) Milne

That letter from Andrew Bloxholme criticising Whakatane District councillors in last Friday’s Beacon was a breath of fresh air, and I hope you give more power to his elbow.

However, I suggest that Andrew should not include former mayor Victor Luca amongst his list of past mayoral big spenders.

I have a large file of Beacon clippings and other information showing how Dr Luca opposed every big council spend-up proposal, (and paid the price for that).

I also have a record of councillors’ voting regarding the costliest items, and I would welcome an assurance from our current mayor that he will truly keep ratepayers front of mind for future spending.

I trust that any plan for a new memorial hall here and an unjustified and expensive sewerage system for Matatā have been dumped for a decade or so, and that at least two council managers will be encouraged to seek work elsewhere.

It beats me how we have so many overpaid council managers for a town where many ratepayers are not highly paid. I was surprised that nobody commented when I pointed out in the Beacon last year that council managers earn more than most senior medical officers at our public hospital.

If any Beacon readers disagree with my views, let’s hear from them now.