Alberni residents must give up nicities for taxes
To the Editor,
The guest column written by Peter Finch (Residents hit hard by tax rate increase, Feb. 14), and letters by Peter and Pat Rueschmann and Carole Walker (Feb. 14), make a resident reflect on the expectations we have in our mayor and councillors.
We the residents elected a group of citizens to assist with the management of our community. I’m sure we would want our city run similar to our home.
Being responsible with finances is an important role and is the reason we have the mayor and council. In theory they are our voice in city hall. With saying that, sometimes people have to put the niceties on hold to finance the necessities. Most people know that using the treasury board’s guidelines to cost of living increases is two per cent per year. An increase of almost 20 per cent, all in taxes, sewer and water, cannot be justified.
I recently had a conversation with the mayor about considering options at the mill which is owned by Port Alberni and located in Beaufort District.
The mill has cost the residence of Port Alberni millions over the years and I don’t understand why the residents should continue to put money into an investment that is in fact a liability.
The reply I received from the mayor was he supports the mill.
We need to see some leadership in city hall and some good solid decisions made.
Ted McGill,
Port Alberni
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