There are some fine individuals representing Whangarei, but as a collective I believe it lost the plot in a term that suffered from lack of leadership and saw, I believe, the lunatics take over the asylum.
How can we manage a project such as the multi-million dollar Hatea River bridge, and not have any money left to finish the footpaths nearby?
Why are central city streets patched like an old asphalt quilt? Why do we have a code of conduct for councillors that requires transparency, and action in the best interests of the town, that they are not held accountable to?
And why do Whangarei residents say their 20-something kids won't come back home until it's safe to walk around our streets at night?
I encourage Ms Mai to call for a judicial review of the previous council's handling of Mark Simpson's review, to put an end to the speculation and rumour around how it was handled.
Otherwise it is a political millstone that Ms Mai will be forced to carry.
I would also suggest a conversation with residents, other than the local newspaper editor, about why Whangarei is not safe at night.
It is not the council's job to solve that problem, but they have a leadership role and there are plenty of people, myself included, who will offer to help.
Part of the reason Ms Mai won was because in public, she was articulate, positive, and open to change and new ideas.
Now she also gets to demonstrate what she can achieve internally, with staff and re-elected politicians indoctrinated in the arrogant, old school way.
Having lost faith in the past council, I am starting again and putting my faith in democracy and a new mayor leading to positive change.
Haere mai Sheryl, and good luck with the hard work in front of you.
