To the editor:
Substantially lower business property assessments in recent years have led to an alarming jump in residential property taxes in Thunder Bay, along with artificially inflated housing prices, all within a very short period of time. Rents have followed suit, rising to exorbitant levels while household bills are working overtime to out-pace current incomes, skyrocketing upwards in some cases every six months.
Is it any wonder that people are finding themselves out on the street or having to turn to food banks to survive?
While the reasons for this are sometimes difficult to understand, and often beyond our control, what is obvious is the suffering this has caused for so many as attested to by numerous letters and articles outlining the hardships people in the area are now experiencing.
In light of this, it is increasingly difficult to remain hopeful when reading articles such as that which appeared in the Chronicle-Journal on Dec. 27 by Carol Goar of the Toronto Star (Taxpayers Treated as Whiny Ingrates).
Her commentary draws attention to the largely dismissive and uncaring attitudes of many elected officials today who spend more time and energy warding off or deflecting criticism, and justifying their insensitivity to the misery of their constituents, than actually dealing with the social problems often caused by political and financial mismanagement. As I read her article, I made mental note of the parallels between what is happening in Toronto and across Canada, and that which is occurring right here in Thunder Bay.
A critical lack of 'affordable' housing for low and middle-income residents, rising poverty, homelessness and the increased use of local food banks, chronic addictions problems and few employment opportunities continue to plague this city as evidenced by rampant domestic abuse, a high murder rate and unsafe streets.
Nevertheless, pleas for help are generally ignored as civic leaders turn their attention to more self-serving priorities and react, at times, with open hostility and self-righteous indignation when questioned or criticized for their actions, or lack thereof.
While the failure of past councils to keep pace with infrastructure demands over the years certainly hasn't helped, Thunder Bay's current financial woes are only exacerbated by today's excessive spending on dubious 'mega' projects that now threatens us with future debt and tax hikes in 2015 and beyond.
It is widely perceived by the general public, despite recent election results,that precious tax dollars are continually being thrown away on costly expenditures designed to further this council's 'private' agenda while little is done to address the real problems facing the people of Thunder Bay.
Unfortunately, a true picture of public opinion on that subject was neatly sidestepped by the denial of our democratic right to a proper plebiscite during the municipal election in October.
In his state-of-the-city address in November Mayor Keith Hobbs acknowledged the many social ills facing the citizens of Thunder Bay. However, his assurances of wanting this to be a "safe, warm, inclusive and welcoming city" for everyone fall flat when considering that such sentiment was apparently expressed as part of council's Strategic Plan for 2011- 2014, yet nothing has changed to date.
Indeed, the problems have only gotten worse.
The above bears witness to a very real 'sense of entitlement' and 'them vs. us' mentality that now permeates throughout all levels of government, including city hall in Thunder Bay.
As Ms. Goar so rightly suggests, such arrogance must be rooted out and eradicated, but will require “politicians prepared to lead by example, public servants whose priority is to serve the public (not patronize, ridicule or dismiss it), and taxpayers who accept nothing less.”
Louise Fisher,
Thunder Bay
