The council needs to be ‘‘open about the challenges facing Waitaki in the coming financial year’’, the district’s mayor says. This week, along with councillors, Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale faced the fury of a 500-plus crowd at the Oamaru Opera House in one of three community meetings on a proposed rates rise between 19% and 45% next year. Yesterday, Mrs Tavendale thanked those who attended the rates consultation meetings in Otematata, Palmerston and Oamaru. ‘‘We know this is a difficult conversation to have, but it’s necessary to be open about the challenges facing Waitaki in the coming financial year. ‘‘As mayor it’s my job to front up to the community and take responsibility for the decisions council has to make. ‘‘The mayor and councillors are the ones who make the decisions, so it’s right that we show up and explain the situation to the community.…