Tax Hike Digs Deep: One Man's Opinion

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 03:50 AM

It doesn’t matter which pocket it comes from, Canadian Taxpayers are Canadian Taxpayers.

The message has been hitting home in both of the senior levels of government. The province has moved to reduce taxes, the feds have reduced the GST and taxes, but here at home, the City decides to increase taxes using the argument it is just keeping up to inflation.

We have the ability to live within our means but we choose not to.

The assessment changes and increased home owners grant could mean reduced taxes for some home owners in the city but rest assured the increase will have to be met at other sources because the City is spending more money.

We are heavy into grants to various organizations most of whom perform a worthwhile service but at what cost? The City might argue that the feds and the province have dumped that responsibility onto the local government but it might also do well to remember that both of these levels of government are simply saying that the practice cannot continue and so with cap in hand the city gets the arm.

Over the years we have had a champagne taste with a beer budget and for some reason we seem unable to get our heads around this problem.

Recreation takes a large chunk of our tax dollars and yet the greatest bang for our buck surely must be the soccer fields where nightly thousands of young and old alike take part in a sport that everyone can enjoy. Conversely here we are at the world stage telling whoever will listen that we have plans in the works for a new ice oval at a cost of about 10 million dollars for whom?

We have built an Art Gallery that at one point was only able to boast memberships of around 1200 persons, it cost us a bundle and the returns are questionable.

We are in desperate need of having the roads repaired, they are a disgrace to this city but we have no money having dropped the bundle on projects that support a few but fail to reach the general population.

Taxpayers will accept an increase in their taxes if it is for a real purpose and City Hall should be bending to their wishes.

I’m Meisner and that is one man's opinion.

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Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 03:50 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: Jake on May 10 2006 7:50 AM

Hands in my pockets, hands in my pockets, hands in my pockets!

Posted by: kimbo on May 10 2006 9:48 AM

Anyone interested in forming a rate payers association please give me a call at 564-7086. The Laurel and Hardy show needs a reality check.

Posted by: owl on May 10 2006 10:35 AM

"Recreation takes a large chunk of our tax dollars and yet the greatest bang for our buck surely must be the soccer fields where nightly thousands of young and old alike take part in a sport that everyone can enjoy."

I agree with that remark in one sense.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The use is very seasonal. I doubt it gets used to the max for more than 3 months of the year. Surely a winter use could be found which would not ruin the sod.

It takes up a lot of space, which does provide a nice open grassed area that is almost park-like, but it is also a low-end use of land, similar to the golf course, which promotes urban sprawl. I think it would be much better to develop such facilities in conjunction, for instance, with senior residences overlooking such facilities so that they have some activity to look out on rather than living in units hidden from an active world at their footsteps.

Finally, and most important of all, the original cost of the facility was funded via Rotary who basically redirected gaming funds A large part of those come from a segment of society which can least afford it. If we were to fund some of the social services which affect those who pay through the gaming taxation system we have developed over the last 20 years or less, our provincial and municipal tax dollars would not have to be put towards those uses and I am sure taxpayers would not be as ticked off.

I am one who sould support all special recreation facilities to be funded primarily by user-pay systems and provide subsidies for those whose access would otherwise be limited through the "purchase" of user cards.

Otherwise, lets keep going with the access for all system we have and stop moaning and groaning about the level of taxation, especially in this city which has a very low level of taxation and it shows in the services the lack of services in this city compared to those whose taxes are higher.

Posted by: Free Enterprise on May 10 2006 12:59 PM

This city has no concept of budget. Why is it that every year they raise taxes? Just because our city councilors most likely live beyond their personal financial means, does not entitle them to act the same way with our tax dollars. Maybe we need to take a hard look at the money they give away for �good� things but are not necessary at this time. I know if times are tight you have to say no to some people or projects.
By the way, we are in boom times right now and the city can�t come up with more revenue other than us tax payers, what�s going to happen in the years to come when things are not so good?

Posted by: kimbo on May 10 2006 4:36 PM

�This city has a very low level of taxation� Owl tells uus and our Mayor gives us the same story. But if I remember correctly Meisner would not agree with you on this point. He has been telling us otherwise. I for one have never checked to see if our taxes are to high or to low I have other concerns that need to be looked at.

I don�t think that the moaning and groaning is all about the level of taxation. There are other problems that the tax payers are concerned about and that is how our dollars are being spent and what value are we getting for our money. I could give you a list as long as my arm of projects that are mismanaged and money ill spent.

I� sure most if you have read Palopu post on May 9 in response to Meisners opinion �the budget is passed�. Maybe our city needs a forensic audit was one suggestion by Palopu. Makes one wonder where are we going.