To the editor,
Re: Policing costs add up as city council works on budgeting, Nov. 17.
Nanaimo taxpayers should be worried by its progressive city council that has progressively increased property taxes over the past three years and is looking at another 5.9-per cent increase, not including potentially substantial increases from the regional district and hospital. At a recent RDN budget meeting, directors faced a possible five-year budget increase of 56 per cent which shows up on all of our property tax statements. My own property taxes have increased 46 per cent in the past 10 years and my utility bills by 58 per cent in just the last five years.
City councillors like to argue that these are just numbers, that if you break down the increase to a daily amount it is minuscule, and the mayor reminds us that seniors can defer their taxes. But for most people it is just another cost increase that makes life in Nanaimo, while still cheaper than Vancouver, increasingly less affordable.
Les Barclay, Nanaimo
READ ALSO: City of Nanaimo’s potential property tax hike increases to 5.9%
To the editor,
Re: Policing costs add up as city council works on budgeting, Nov. 17.
According to Coun. Sheryl Armstrong, Nanaimo RCMP is “severely under-resourced.” Additional positions are recommended.
Is the RCMP superintendent incapable of utilizing the existing RCMP officers to be part of the proposed ‘bike patrol’ rather than hiring more staff? It seems the easiest way to address any problem in the policing department is to seek a bigger budget, whilst glibly issuing doom-and-gloom forecasts if city council disapproves. Attempting to trim costs or stay within budget is something they seem to know nothing about.
Council should not approve the recommendation for increased RCMP staffing.
Pat Maguire, Nanaimo
RELATED: Policing costs adding up in City of Nanaimo’s budgeting process
The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
Letters policy: Letters should be no longer than 250 words and will be edited. Preference is given to letters expressing an opinion on issues of local relevance or responding to items published in the News Bulletin. Include your address (it won’t be published) and a first name or two initials, and a surname. Unsigned letters will not be published.
Mail: Letters, Nanaimo News Bulletin, 777 Poplar St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 2H7
Fax: 250-753-0788
E-mail: editor@nanaimobulletin.com