Alexander (Sandy) Milne

Sour grapes – that’s what I thought as I read former mayor Judy Turner’s strong endorsement of Victor Luca’s opponent for the vacant Bay of Plenty Regional Council seat (Beacon, July 15).

I remind readers that in the 2022 mayoral election the voting was 3192 for Luca and 1934 for then sitting mayor Turner.

In her letter, which she wrote a few days after Luca announced his candidacy, Judy expressed concern about rates, but her own track record in sound decision-making on council was not great.

She supported two of the most monumental cock-ups in council’s history: the failed bridge-side boat harbour project and the Opihi development (which also appears to be going pear-shaped).

She was a strong backer of the $14 million council building tart-up we couldn’t afford, and the Rex Morpeth redevelopment, which is likely to also fail due to inability to raise $60 million.

Unlike Judy, I will not be giving advice on who to vote for.

Readers can check the backgrounds of all the candidates and make up their own minds.