Letters: Council magazine is a factual account

Rotorua Lakes Council building. Photo/File

If we don't communicate we are accused of hiding information - and if we do as we have via Tatau Tatau some people question the cost.

The Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers Association members who are prolific letter writers can't be happy souls because in my opinion they are always trying to find fault. Their agenda is clear and many people I meet at many public functions often comment about the letter writers, and what in their opinion is negativity from the RDRRs.

The feedback I've had is that the booklet seems to be a factual account and is based on the auditor-general's clean bill of health for the long-term plan.

So the auditor-general is pleased nothing is hidden, invented, is pure conjecture, a good news propaganda document or a glossy interpretation of that 10-year plan.

I'm also pleased council does engage on its website under the korero mai section.
(Abridged)

Cr Charles Sturt
Rotorua

No sign of council prudence
On one page of the council's latest glossy "brag" booklet, the mayor talks of "financial prudence" yet on the opposite page the council tries to explain away its need to continue borrowing huge amounts of money, described as a "prudent financial strategy".

It may be that the estimated increase of $58.5 million debt will hover below the cap but just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

It is unfortunate but, in my view, probably deliberate that rates expenditure is expressed in percentages so we don't see it in tangible terms.

It is appalling that more of our rates are to be spent on arts and culture than roading and footpaths, and more to be spent on sport, recreation and environment than all but sewerage.

The glossy contains just a one-word mention (almost under the radar) of the planned Lakefront upgrade.

Sure, the Lakefront looks a bit tired but it's nothing a bit of TLC wouldn't rectify. Financial prudence would put that project on hold or at the very least be downsized. We don't need the biggest and flashiest anything.

Where is evidence of the council's "financial prudence"? Experience indicates we can be absolutely sure that projects will exceed budget, then what happens?

We'll get excuses, and continued excessive rates increases. "Prudence" is synonymous with "caution" and "judiciousness". I don't see that shining out in those pie charts and self-gratifying commentary. (Abridged)

Paddi Hodgkiss
Rotorua