To the editor,
Re: City needs to control its spending, Letters, Jan. 4.
A recent letter to the editor was complaining about proposed increases in property taxes. When we had snow we had people complaining the city wasn’t doing enough to clear streets. You cannot reduce taxes without reducing services. What services are we prepared to give up? RCMP, road building, snow removal, building permits, by law enforcement?
The city needs an increase in taxes because the price of everything has gone up and the city keeps growing. Just filling up all the city vehicles has gone up. Salaries went up. Since purchasing a new home in Nanaimo, the value has increased $300,000. Of course my taxes will go up.
Firefighters are something a city always needs to have enough of. Not only do they respond to fires, they often respond to medical calls. No one wants to have to wait for firefighters. The City of Nanaimo has several high-rise apartment buildings, a lot more low-rise apartment buildings and Nanaimo is spread out. If the fire chief says Nanaimo needs 40 more firefighters, we do.
When city hall staff suggest increases in budget, we usually need them. They’re the professionals with the knowledge of how to run a city. Getting back to basics? Providing adequate fire and police protection is about as basic as it gets.
As the saying goes: ‘I like taxes. It buys me civilization.’
E.A. Foster, Nanaimo
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Nanaimo city council concludes budget deliberations with 7.3% tax increase
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 Media 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 Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters sent to the News Bulletin may also be published in the Ladysmith Chronicle.
Mail: Letters, Nanaimo News Bulletin, 777 Poplar St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 2H7
Fax: 250-753-0788
E-mail: editor@nanaimobulletin.com