Sandy Milne

None of my friends are in the group who, as Mawera Karetai puts it in her letter in Friday’s Beacon, are “misunderstanding the roles of our elected mayor/councillors and appointed chief executive.”

I am surprised to see the Beacon used as a forum for what appears to be criticism of the mayor’s performance and leadership.

Most of my friends buy the newspaper and for $1.30 are kept up to speed with such matters by Beacon reporters, Victor Luca’s regular Mayor’s Talk, and readers’ letters.

In our view Dr Luca is an excellent mayor for our times because of his scientific background, communication skills, and empathy for less wealthy residents.

Ms Karetai’s letter gave a run down on how the council operates, like what has been included in previous mayoral columns.

It reminded us that our mayor has only one vote at council meetings, and that we should, “Look for people who can work with others to manage change, and please look at the change they are promoting through a best-for-the-whole-district lens”.  

That’s fanciful, and appears to overlook several facts, including that Dr Luca took up office with a whacking majority over six other contestants in the 2022 election, three of whom he faces at council meetings.

Who can forget the Beacon front page story in December 2022 in which two councillors expressed, “We were robbed” views when they did not get committee chair roles?

The letter seems to imply the mayor is not a good leader.

I dispute that.  He was a successful team leader for 10 years in Australia then 10 years in Argentina.  

The problem is that too many councillors are not good team-mates. But he did not choose them; voters did.  

I suggest that Ms Karetai stands for council in October.  I may even vote for her. And I invite her to vote for me if I decide that I am physically fit enough to stand.

I have been encouraged to stand by Beacon readers, the most persuasive being a gentleman from up Waimana way who gifted me a ceremonial hoe waka (canoe paddle).

It is a beautiful work of art, carved from one piece of solid totara (the handle is separate).

I understand that I am being urged to stay on course, with ratepayers front of mind, as is clearly the case with Dr Luca.