As a relative newcomer to this city I am quite astounded at the uproar around town that the Commission is being kept in place at Tauranga City Council. Can the residents not remember the fighting, mud-flinging and vitriolic messages that flew between the elected TCC councillors before they were ousted? Their inability to agree on anything but fighting with each other virtually ground council operations to a halt. Yes the Commission has put up the rates – have you guys looked over the fence at how much our neighbours in the Western BOP pay for rates? Theirs are steeper than ours. And at least Commission is trying to get our city infrastructure on track – yes it will cost but no matter who makes that decision it will be a big cost. The other point to make is that is with elections delayed until 2024 hopefully those former councillors will give up the ghost – and we can see some level-headed, business-savvy, professionals – who want to move this city forward and are not interested in fighting – new blood keen to run when the time comes. Have faith people.

B Smith, Papamoa.