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‘No’ vote should bring tax relief

It is totally reasonable to ask this administration to see that our taxes are reduced this year.

Re: City voters reject $80M multiplex, March 14.

During the run up to the referendum for the $80 million events centre, Nanaimo taxpayers were assured over and over again by both staff and council that it could be done without any tax increase and without reducing services.

Staff and council explained how it would be possible to find $5.4 million each year for the next 20 years without increasing taxes or cutting needed services. Remember?

Since the Nanaimo taxpayers have resoundingly rejected spending this money on an events centre, it is totally reasonable to ask this administration to see that our taxes are reduced this year by approximately 5.4 per cent. All the while not having to cut any services, as they assured could be done.

I suspect that city staff and this council are now discussing in the backroom how they are going to tell us that that is not possible. Really? Why not?

Jim TaylorNanaimo

 

Re: Voters go to the polls Saturday, March 9.

The debt service was expected to be $5.4 million annually over 20 years with a financing framework that the city’s chief financial officer said will not increase property taxes or require sacrifice of programs or services.

Well, it’s certainly nice to know that my property taxes and services will stay the same for the next 20 years, and now, no $5.4 million to pay off, that’s great or a great big lie – I’ll know when I get my tax bill that’s coming.

N. SaundersNanaimo