Rotorua has much going for it obviously and it is the locals who jointly contribute to that on an ongoing basis. Our aquatic centre is well overdue for an upgrade and overhaul to get it to the standard that other towns enjoy.
Keep it real ... honour the locals and the tourists will reap the benefits also.
BERNADETTE HALL
Rotorua
It was with a wry smile that I read about the Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers Association (RDRR) calling for statutory management of the Rotorua Lakes Council, and not only because such a call is complete nonsense when you consider that the council has recently retained its excellent credit rating.
Six months ago, when the deciduous trees around Rotorua formed a lush canopy, seven RDRR candidates stood together on yellow signs around the city asking for your vote in the council elections.
At this time, the RDRR stood on a platform of more consultation. Evidently, things have since changed, as RDRR-endorsed councillor Rajmesh Kumar told the Rotorua Daily Post (April 21) that he was "quite shocked" he was not consulted by his own group when they made the call for statutory management. I'm sure the irony of this will not be lost on many.
As an outsider, it would seem obvious that you should let your two endorsed councillors know that you're about to call for statutory managers to take over their positions.
But it seems as though the RDRR have learnt nothing since they ran, what was in my view an overtly negative and venomous campaign which saw five of their seven candidates rejected at the polling booth.
So just as the deciduous trees have now all but lost their lush canopies, the RDRR may be able to lose their influence around the council table due to a lack of consultation with their members and their farcical call for statutory.
RYAN GRAY
Rotorua
