Re: ‘Morris – let's set the record straight' letter by Tommy Wilson (The Weekend Sun, April 1).

Mr Wilson criticised remarks made by Councillor Steve Morris about the invitation-only meeting where Minister Mahuta announced the extension of Tauranga's commissioners' tenure.

Mr Wilson made the common mistake of believing the council is a multi-billion dollar business. It's not a business, it's a creature of statute. He also made the mistake of writing 'ex-councillor Morris” who is still entitled to be called Councillor.

He denigrated all previous elected members including Mayor Tenby Powell by describing them as 'clowns” – this after not putting himself forward for election in the last 20 years, if ever.

I'm surprised he didn't understand Mr Morris' rent-a-crowd reference was metaphorical, but took exception to being deemed one. What was not metaphorical was the disgraceful insult handed to very recent Mayor Greg Brownless with 15 years' councillor experience by telling him 'he wasn't invited” when arriving at the meeting. A disgraceful insult, too, to Tauranga ratepayers and citizens not permitted to attend the meeting to hear Minister Mahuta reveal her plan that affected us all. What's it like to be a member of the inner-circle Mr Wilson?

Distressing as it is, homelessness is not council's core business; the responsibility to solve that problem lies with central government.

P Harlen, Mount Maunganui.