An old Mount historian once told me the following. Years Before the Maungatapu Bridge was built the Mount Borough Council made enquiries with the Tauranga City Council to be taken under their wing, subsequently they were deemed 'a liability on the TCC ratepayers”. In 1959 the Maungatapu Bridge was built, thereafter the Mount and Papamoa thrived.

Later the TCC eyed the goose across the harbour that laid golden eggs. In 1974 an election to join the two municipalities under one mayor failed miserably.

In 1989 The Mount Borough/Papamoa, as the reluctant bride gifting a large initial and ongoing dowry, were forcibly amalgamated with the failing TCC to form the Tauranga District Council. Increased rates, property sales and immoral ongoing retention of Tauranga Harbour Bridge tolls followed.

Tauranga City councillor Steve Morris now informs Northern Mounties that Developers want their green space levy returned. But don't the property owners pay that?

Seemingly, with sleight of hand, $4.2m has been transferred from the TCC Transportation department for the sale of the Phoenix carpark into the city's balance sheet.

To quote the ‘Concords – Children's Feel Inside interview”' (see YouTube): 'The banks get the money from the Prime Minister, who gets it from the Queen, who gets it from the banks”. Spend it on the Mount thanks.

D Wilson, Mount Maunganui.