An open letter to Mayor George Peary.

I trust that by now you are aware of the results of the Question of the Week in the Abbotsford News recently: “Do you feel Abbotsford is changing for the better?”

The people who chose to respond voted 77 per cent no. I can hear you say that there was no science to the vote. No real basis behind it. It was purely a straw poll, and therefore meaningless, and of no consequence. Not worthy of any consideration.

You know, George, I agree with you. There was no science involved, just some editor trying to stir things up. I suggest that things are already plenty “stirred up.” Council has lost contact with the people. Council is out of control.

If three out of four respondents are unhappy with the way Abbotsford is changing, scientifically based or not, you have a very serious problem. You must be a smart enough man to know that where there’s smoke there’s fire. I know you can’t please everyone, but 23 per cent is just not good enough.

Why is there so much desire to get bigger? Have you not noticed how our community has deteriorated over the past 20 or 25 years? Sure it is bigger, but I doubt that it is better.

The people at city hall talk a lot about sustainability. What does that mean. How about the “sustainability of the taxpayer? Just how deep do you think his pockets are?

You talk about going to Victoria and/or Ottawa looking for funding for various projects at the municipal level. Wonderful, great idea. let’s get the feds to pay for it. Guess what, we are the feds. There is only one taxpayer, and that’s me. It was just a different hand going into my pocket.

I know, I’ll get my wife to sew them shut. That won’t stop you though, will it George?

Stop hitting us up for more money every year, and start living within your means. If you can’t afford it, don’t do it. That’s reality at our house.

Taxation is not the only source of discontent in Abbotsford. Waste of our tax dollars also ranks high. The unused bike lanes are a joke, most ride on the sidewalk. I don’t even want to think about the fuel tax you are considering

I could go on, but I am out of time and must write another letter. I will be writing to the people who administer my pension and asking for a raise. I’ll let you know how that works out.

Thomas Pugh