Editor: As has been recently reported, Canadians are now more in debt than our neighbours to the south. By now, most property owners will have paid municipal taxes, and have had to find more money from their after-tax incomes to pay them.
The Association against Higher Property Taxes is not against taxes, only excessive taxes, and the waste that comes with it. As long as municipalities have the power to increase taxes as they deem necessary, then they will not get serious about waste, mismanagement, bloated salaries and benefits.
It is our opinion that property taxes should be linked to the cost of living index, which should be affordable. This then puts the municipality on a budget, and finding funds to operate has to be looked at much more seriously, especially for waste and inefficiencies. Most of us are on a tight budget, and I can see no reason why municipalities should not also have to control their expenses.
Talking about spending, few people know where their hard-earned dollars go, and how out-of-control spending is the cause of the exorbitant tax increases businesses and residents have experienced over the last few years From the schedule of expenses, which is available, but seldom asked for, we have extracted of few examples for people to think about.
In the City of 91原创, which is approximately four square miles, we have some highly-paid, and in my opinion, overpaid, employees.
The chief administrative officer, in 2004 received $86,042. But in 2009, he received $184,725. One firefighter in 2004 received $84,983, but in 2009 received $117,000.
Everywhere you look in these schedules, you can find excessive increments, the likes of which you and I can only dream about. Yet we don鈥檛 seem to complain, as we pay this from already-taxed dollars. With this ever-increasing burden, it is no wonder that Canadians are now getting deeper and deeper into debt, and more of us are having difficulty balancing our cheque books
To my knowledge, the City has not expanded in area, but the cost of policing has gone from $4,946,677 in 2004 to an incredible $8,357,740 for 2009. How about $1,840,373 for general services in 2004? It was an an astounding $3,271,480 for 2009.
On another matter, 91原创 City Mayor Peter Fassbender, was on the evening TV news on July 18. He was outspoken against the suggestion made by the B.C. Conservative leader John Cummins that the Evergreen Line should be funded by municipalities reducing their spending by one per cent.
Based on the above information, can he really be serious? But, he does, however support taxpayers paying an additional two cents per litre on their gas purchases.
So, if I read this correctly, it is OK for overtaxed citizens and families to find more money, but not OK for the municipality to reduce its spending?
It is time to demand better from our elected officials, and demand they reduce bloated salaries and waste. They must cap property taxes, and stop saying it鈥檚 OK for taxpayers to pay more.
Now an organization (91原创 Reunification Association) has started, which wants a study into the costs of joining and operating one municipality, instead of the two very costly ones currently operating in 91原创.
Call or e-mail your councillor and mayor to demand a referendum on this, as our standard of living is very important to 91原创 families. With the municipal elections in November, taxpayers should have a close look at the platforms of candidates for mayor and councillors. Who knows, somebody may be prepared to stand for election on a platform of taxpayers鈥� pocket books first?
Then vote, as it is not justified to complain if you don鈥檛 participate.
I can be contacted at kevin.gbrown@gmail.com.
Kevin Granger-Brown,
Association against Higher Property Taxes
from the municipalities reducing their spending by 1 %. From the above information, can he really be serious. But, he does, however support Taxpayers paying an additional c 2 per liter on their gas purchases!
So, if I read this correctly, it is O K for overtaxed Citizens and families, to find more money, but not O K for the Municipality to reduce its overspending??
It is time to demand better from our elected officials, and demand they reduce bloated salaries, waste, cap property taxes, and stop saying, it鈥檚 O K for taxpayers to pay more
There is also an organization started, which wants a study into the costs of joining and operating 1 municipality, instead of the 2 very costly ones 91原创 currently operates. Call or email your councilor, and mayor to demand a referendum on this, as our standard of living is very important to 91原创 families. With the Municipal elections in November, taxpayers should have a close look at the platforms for the mayor, and councilors. Who knows, somebody may be prepared to stand for election on a platform of Taxpayers pocket books first, and then vote, as it is not justified to complain if you don鈥檛 participate.
Association against Higher Property Taxes
Kevin Granger-Brown
