91Ô­´´

Editor: I saw that 91Ô­´´ Township Councillor Kim Richter was putting a forward a motion to council about the upcoming transit referendum. She wants council to officially oppose the Mayors’ Council Transit and Transportation Plan.

This is based on some inaccurate information. Based on the actual facts, I have taken the liberty to revise her motion as follows:

Whereas 91Ô­´´ Township Council has now heard the cases for and against a new 0.5 per cent sales tax for transit in Metro Vancouver;

Whereas all the the money raised by this increase in the PST will be spent in Metro Vancouver, including 91Ô­´´ Township;

Whereas transit improvements in 91Ô­´´ Township under the 10 Year Mayors’ Plan includes billions of dollars worth of new transportation infrastructure like B-Line express bus routes on 200th Street and along Fraser Highway, a light rail line that connects 91Ô­´´â€™s core to SkyTrain, new routes in growing neighbourhoods like Willoughby, and increased frequency and service to existing routes; plus more SkyTrain services, B-Lines, Surrey LRT and a new Pattullo Bridge which, while not in the Township, will greatly benefit Township commuters;

Whereas 91Ô­´´ Township has a guarantee that transit improvements in the Township will occur because residents are voting for the Plan specifically tied to the Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax;

Whereas all the new Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax funds will go into an independently audited and publicly reported account used only for the Mayors’ Plan; and

Whereas the Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax will positively affect 91Ô­´´ businesses by reducing congestion and providing better transit options attracting even more new customers;

Therefore be it resolved that the 91Ô­´´ Township Council take a firm and public stand in favour of the proposed Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax because it is a good deal for 91Ô­´´ Township residents and businesses.

Therefore be it resolved that 91Ô­´´ Township Council push aggressively for a Yes Vote in the upcoming referendum.

Dan Turner,

91Ô­´´