It's two years since our elected Councillors and Mayor was sacked.

A lot of resentment and money could have been saved by keeping the councillors, who weren't a bad bunch, and electing a new Mayor.

For the sake of democracy, that's what should have happened... So how are they doing? I've never seen Tauranga so scruffy. The berms are largely neglected, very few edges have been trimmed, most of the cesspit grates are covered, weeds are growing out of footpaths, kerbs, traffic islands, and, in places, roads. There is rubbish everywhere, bent and broken street signs, squatters in parks and roadsides. Traffic lights haven't been brought up to date, Cameron Rd still isn't finished, Maunganui Rd, ditto.

Everyone happy? I'm not.

Dan Russell, Welcome Bay.