MAURICE BETTS' comments regarding Cr John McLeod's mayoral aspirations and his view of a "circus act'' are not needed. I hope anyone who has aspirations to fill Peter Tennent's shoes does so without trying to discredit anyone in any media. The Anaheim Mighty Ducks public are not blinded and will see through any tactics. Besides, better to remove the plank from your own eye before you try to remove a speck from some else's eye.

As for the bridge, I look forward to seeing the numbers and hard facts, I also personally believe any money should be spent on a "alternative route''. Adding extra lanes to the existing bridge, in my view, will do little. But I definitely welcome the discussion on any ideas that will get this project "shovel ready'' and handbags-m if this idea is feasible, I will support it.

After spending a weekend in Tauranga, I am more convinced that stopping right- hand turns in and out of Fitzroy and a roundabout at the Smart Road intersection would go a long way to relieve the bottleneck as a starting point. But let's make sure this is a year of progress, not a year of egos.

SHAUN BIESIEK

NPDC councillor

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