Victor Luca

I refer to yet another put-down from J Beattie (Time for achievement wrap-up’, Beacon, August 22) that this time I feel compelled to respond to.

Mr Beattie continues to confuse Beacon readers by repeating the unsubstantiated charge that I have got nothing done as Mayor in the past three years.

No details and no evidence ... just silly assertions and falsehoods.

Mr Beattie has clearly never read a council agenda or been in chambers when important matters were being discussed.

If he had, he would realise that a hell of a lot has been achieved on my watch, and that I obviously don’t act alone.

During this term council has done everything it needed to do and more.

However, for details on what I do, Mr Beattie should not rely solely on my Mayor Talkcolumns. These are opinion pieces and I try hard to make them good reading. I often get feedback on readability prior to publication from folk I trust. And I do my homework.

If Mr Beattie wants more specifics on my activities he should read the Mayor’s Report that appears in every council agenda and gives a blow-by-blow account of my major activities. The agendas can be found on the council’s website or mine (https://www.votevictorluca.com/blog). I have written 16 reports this term.

The Mayor Talkcolumns are my direct voice to the community and most of the time they address issues that are absolutely council-related.  Many focus on pressing issues affecting the cost of rates especially for our less wealthy residents. The columns can also be found on my website.

My recent column on climate change seems to have irked Mr Beattie. However, climate change is an existential threat to all humankind, and is an area on which I have expertise

As a scientist, I would welcome advice or constructive criticism although this doesn’t appear to interest Mr Beattie.

Council meetings, records and Beacon reports prove that I have made good on my commitment to keep downward pressure on rates since I have been on council.

A one-and-a -half-year project to address improving yield on council assets is now complete. The aim is to generate sustainable and resilient funding and reduced dependence on rates income.

As part of my long-standing advocacy for an additional bridge for Whakatāne you can see me in action presenting to the Regional Transport Committee. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikUEeWBe5GY). In 2024, I wrote a proposal which was sent to the Minister of Transport.

I have been a strong advocate for solar energy since I entered council and on my watch we are finally getting panels installed on some council buildings. I am interested in energy security and resilience, and again, generating income to reduce rates.

I have set up an expert community-based group known as the Mayor’s Taskforce for Water which aims to get value for money for rate payers.

Another community group has been set up to advocate to government on health issues, especially those relevant to the EBOP. Details on these groups have been reported in the Beacon and in council reports.

I have written a white paper for the Mayoral Forum and presented on a regional circular economy approach to end-of-life tyre management. Watch this space.

If Mr Beattie doesn’t want to do his homework, I’d be happy to provide more details over a cup of coffee.

The views expressed here are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of any organisation with which I am associated.