Editor's note: This is a copy of a letter to Squamish's mayor and council. It was copied to The Chief for publication.
A 10 per cent increase on top of a huge increase in utilities is not responsible! Clearly council members have forgotten what it it's like in the real world! As a senior, my pension increased by less than $50 a year. That will not even cover the increase in our utility bill. You are making it very difficult for those who rely on Canada Pension, Old Age Security, disability pensions and minimum wage earners to continue to afford to live in the district. A year ago you voted yourselves a sizeable increase when you councillors already received a larger stipend than the average in a community of our size. There already was a formula in place to ensure the stipend did not fall behind. Perhaps you could consider rolling back that stipend as Coun. Race did.
I admit that I am not as familiar as I might be with this year's document but I can guarantee that I never have, nor ever would, support this type of increase. I think you need to get back to the basics and cut out some of the frills. I think a lesson in economics is needed. Running a municipality should not be much different than running your home. At home, when costs exceed income, there is no taxpayer to run to. You cut costs or you find a new way to raise the required resources. I know your job is not always easy but I am sorry to suggest you have not done enough.
I know council is required to seek community input in the budget process. When on council I always advocated for more than a 15-minute presentation to the public with the document already approved by council. Community input is to seek dialogue at the outset. It should include telephone and other forms of surveys. It should include neighbourhood meetings. Quit relying so heavily on social media. What percentage of our population actually participates regularly with the District on Facebook or Twitter? I think it is a small group and not representative of the community at large. Please direct the communications people you hired to get out and actively communicate with the taxpayer.
I note Downtown Revitilization is an issue being highlighted in this week's budget article ("Property-tax hike pegged at 10 per cent," Chief, March 28). This is one of the topics I believe the public should have been consulted on. Downtown revite will make our streets look prettier but it will do little or nothing to make the businesses in the area more prosperous or attractive. I suggest you ask those involved in the past revite programs... no upgrades and no new development... just more taxpayer-funded maintenance required. Our downtown will not prosper because the bulk of ourpopulation does not support the business located there. They shop in the Lower Mainland where they work. Making the street look better will not change that fact. Take that money and provide the incentives required to bring some jobs back to our community. When people live and work in the same community, they will also shop there.
Another issue worth discussing is the dredge of the Mamquam Blind Channel. How many boaters do we have in this community? Is the Yacht Club contributing? Why are the properties fronting the Blind Channel not footing the bill? It is only those properties that are being improved. As well, those property owners can afford it. Take it on as a Council initiative. Who knows? It may fly. Again, if it is being done to attract tourists... the business community should ante up.
I know you have another month before the budget must be approved. Please use that time to pare it back some. Spread some of those costs over into 2014. Perhaps there are administrative costs in more than one department that can also be cut back.
I am sorry to be so negative but there comes a time when I just can't sitback quietly. I do miss having a voice in council and since I am unable to attend next week, I determined the next best thing was to send you a letter.
Corinne Lonsdale
Squamish
