So ran the Everly Brothers Song.

The ‘HEvans' sent media circus, supplied by Councillor Hayden Evans laying bare his problems for all to see, continued
unabated last week.
Fellow Pick 6 councillor Murray Guy chimed in from the side line in support of Hayden with some bizarre comments. As with most things in life there are two sides to every story and in the fullness of time the whole story will no doubt come clear. In the interim, some other elected members do remain focused on the real issues of the city and are concentrating on practical solutions for the long term.
Those Pick 6 councillors, except Hayden Evans, together with Bill Grainger who claimed to have no prior knowledge of Deputy Mayor David Stewart's nomination to the Board of Directors of Tauranga City Aquatics Ltd are untrue and mischievous and why they voted against his appointment is unclear. Perhaps related to ‘Haydengate'? By the way, media reports that council is seizing Hayden's land are incorrect. Council seeks an easement to put a mains water pipeline through his property and compensation will be paid if the work goes ahead as a result of the hearings by independent commissioners. A reported complaint by Hayden's lawyer to the Auditor General over alleged conflicts of interests of some elected members didn't get past first base.

Learning from flyers
The interim museum review committee, comprising members of the community, chaired by Jon Mayson, and some elected members from the City and Western Bay Councils has filed a progress report. Having reviewed the plethora of information compiled by the previous museum committee, they are recommending two potential sites. One is Cliff Road and the other the old Masonic site downtown adjacent to the Art Gallery. If the City is to have a non ratepayer funded museum both these sites are ‘no brainers'. Cliff Road ties in neatly with the Elms and Monmouth Redoubts. The Masonic offers options of a multi storey building with obvious opportunities for retail and/or combination with the Art Gallery next door. Whatever comes next the format should be ratepayer/council contribution of land already owned and existing resources only. In my view volunteers are an integral part of our heritage and it appears to work well at the Classic Flyers Museum at the Mount. Supplementary income can come from admission charges, commercial space rentals, venue hire and whatever else, other than more ratepayer subsidy. It can work as shown at Classic Flyers.

Council dollars
At monitoring committee, staff reported on year end financials and other information related to keeping the city ticking over. This is where council's priorities for the future should be concentrated in the next little while. Rate revenue for last financial year is up $1 million from budget to $73.5 million; largely due to overdue penalties. Operating revenue is up $3.6 million to $131.3 million. That's some positive news I guess unless you were one of those paying a penalty. Not so good news is that expenditure is also up by $4 million and is over budget to $129.4 million. I won't go into more detail but it's all available from City Hall for those interested. Council finished the year with a $200,000 deficit. In accounting terms: a satisfactory outcome.

Lessons from Rome
External debt stood at $268.3 million at 30 June up from $213.3 million last financial year. To put some perspective on council's situation I relate this little gem from Cicero, 55 B.C. 'The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”
By judicious replacement of a few words in there it has some similarities with our present day situation both in NZ and Tauranga. There isn't much that's new in the world is there?

Creative Cargo Shed
Creative Tauranga reported to Council a $40,000 deficit for this year, but anticipated break even for next year. They are taking over the Cargo Shed down on Dive Crescent. I asked if this was a wise move in view of their deficit and uncertain financial prospects of the Cargo Shed. It seemed that a period of consolidation might be a more positive move but Chairman Grant Souter and CEO Tracy Ruddick remained upbeat and confident of success. Staff will monitor the situation as they do all organisations receiving ratepayer funds. Creative Tauranga has altered its status from an incorporated society to a Charitable Trust.

Reclaiming the beach
Encroachments on sand dunes at the Mount by adjoining property owners are being addressed at a cost effective rate. Present budget is $25,000 a year, so it's not going to be a king hit. I first wrote about this in 2004, so obviously most residents didn't get the hint. Council/ratepayers will fund the dune reinstatement but property owners will be required to remove physical structures at their cost. A Land Information Memorandum will be put on each property title noting council's requirement for cessation of the encroachment. This may speed removal up a bit. My ongoing advice to property owners is to follow developments in the draft town plan. If it all goes ahead along current lines it will alter the face of the city forever. Thirteen metre high apartment buildings for instance with overshadowing rules, 45 degree daylighting, which all look good in theory in the rarified atmosphere of city hall, but which may deny the practical geography of individual sites. The one fits all policies rarely do.
On a majority vote of six to five, Tauranga City Council is to lodge a submission supporting the proposed new toll highway from Papamoa to Paengaroa. This road is to be tax payer/road user charges funded. If the community agrees via consultation then $100million, or around 30 per cent of the cost will be toll funded, which will do two things. One, guarantee the road will actually get built. Two, bring forward construction by 5-6 years. Toll for cars is proposed at two dollars. The existing highway through Te Puke remains as a free alternate route. If you are opposed to paying tolls then you have the choice. Pick 6 councillors, Rick Curach, an anti-toll campaigner from way back, Murray Guy, Catherine Stewart, Hayden Evans and ward councillor Bill Grainger opposed – basing their opposition against tolls, saying the region should wait for funding and be toll free.