It's been a privilege to serve our community and I wish those who will look after our city for the next three years all the best.
Terry Molloy
Former city councillor
Didn't vote? Don't complain
The voter turnout for the 2019 local body elections all over country seems to have been disappointing and in the Tauranga electorate, whilst being marginally up on the last election, was still just 40.3 per cent -- resulting in 59.7 per cent of the electorate not voting.
It would appear to me that we have ended up with exactly the councillors that we deserve and that people who did not vote now have absolutely nothing to complain about as they didn't even bother to express their democratic rights by voting.
It is sad that people do not seem to accept, or realise, that in many instances decisions made by our locally elected representatives often affect and impact on us to a greater degree than decisions made by central government yet still they do not bother to vote.
Demands for online voting, in order to increase the turnout, should only be considered if it can be proven that the system is 100 per cent safe from being hacked and under current conditions this appears unlikely.
So if you did not vote, do not complain and hopefully in three years' time you will realise the possible error of your ways and use your future vote wisely.
Mike Baker
Bethlehem
The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters from readers. Please note the following:
• Letters should not exceed 200 words.
• They should be opinion based on facts or current events.
• If possible, please email.
• No noms-de-plume.
• Letters will be published with names and suburb/city.
• Please include full name, address and contact details for our records only.
• Local letter writers given preference.
• Rejected letters are not normally acknowledged.
• Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the Editor's discretion.
• The Editor's decision on publication is final.
Email editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz