To the editor:
So the city budget is finally out from behind closed doors. Well now what? A six per cent increase in taxes?
Mayor Keith Hobbs and his old council buddies and city manager Tim Commisso say they are shooting for a mark below four per cent.
Well, having watched the council of past work, I feel this is a ploy to lessen the blow of a proposed tax increase. In other words, they probably know the mark already and are sending out shock waves to prepare us for any increase.
This is supposed to be a “stabilization year for city budget, if a recent headline is to be believed.
This could mean anything from lowering the increase this year by cutting in certain areas, or, does it mean a six per cent increase eash year, over the next four years?
Where are the cuts to be made? Perhaps, but highly unlikely, one will hopefully be the proposed multi-million dollar expenditure for the proposed event centre.
Perhaps the police budget?
Highly unlikely since Thunder Bay is in strong competition for the unwanted title of murder capital of Canada.
Chief J.P. Levesque has already informed council his department is in need of a new communications system, to replace the antiquated system.
How about the public works department?
Well, with a backlog of paving, replacement of sidewalks, plus completion of already deteriorating paving jobs which were started too late to finish before the cold weather started, it is doubtful.
Hopefully Mother Nature will maintain a reprieve of snowy weather for a few more weeks or at least until the mend of February, which would free up some of the budget for snow removal.
However, that could mean higher expenditures to replace frozen water and sewage pipes.
More likely it means tax increases will continue for the four years this council will reign.Of course perhaps council will sell off it other two golf courses to private enterprise.
After all they they did sell off Municipal Golf Course for a measly $650,000.
Not bad (for the purchaser) since that figure takes in the clubhouse, all the storage sheds, a septic system and water.
Quite a bargain considering that is about the price of a newly built home in Thunder Bay.
Of course maybe the civil action by taxpayers in the east end may not win their multi-million lawsuit, CN may have a change of heart and suck up the cost of a new bridge entirely and the city can save on its legal eagle bills fighting the lawsuit.
Which raises my next question: How much was spent in legal fees and studies in conjunction with the proposal of an events center, by the previous council on things such as Marina Park etc.?
Then too, council blames MPAC for much of its financial problems because it lowered the decrease in assessment on the elevators.
Why then hasn't council been smart enough to pass a bylaw making it mandatory grain elevator companies be responsible for the demolition and removal of all debris, after they close. Like what did it cost this city to remove Pool 6?
But have patience, our mayor is seeking to be elected to MPAC.
Take heart dear taxpayers, for council has said it has 12 major properties coming on line to take up the slack next year, which includes the two condominiums built as well as the new courthouse (I thought government properties were exempt ,but then I may be wrong).
And, perhaps the long touted Delta Hotel will be built beside the condos. I thought it was supposed to be built in 2014?
Could it be, it hinges upon the reality of an events center, as rumour has it?
What of the rumour mill about a Costco store being brought in, which Mayor Hobbs claims he is working hard on?
Was it not the appearance of the big box stores that resulted in the closure of many smaller businesses in our downtown sectors?
Time will tell what comes, but most perplexing of all is Mayor Hobbs' request to all unions to be helpful by holding the line or taking cuts.
Does he really think workers to stand still while the city adds another six per cent or even four percent to their taxes?
Whoever thought that little gimmick up, must be lacking a few shingles short of a roof.
According to a recent newspaper editorial, the proposed budget for 2015 is $10.4 million more than was projected to be spent in the 2014 budget.
I am no great mathematician, but if council cancels further study and all associated costs in conjunction with the proposed event centre, which the mayor is still firmly in favour of (which has $25 million set aside in a reserve fund I understand) it would wipe out a need for that increase and even help alleviate costs in other sections of the budget.
So far, only Coun. Rebecca Johnson has shown some sense in that regard, So how about it councillors?
Gerry Poling,
Thunder Bay
