It seems that every week another article is published indicating that we are to be faced with yet another increase in taxes for one reason or another. New fire halls, new public works yards, tent city clean ups, sanitation stations for homeless people, maintenance of old unused library buildings and the list goes on.
Not to trivialize any of these things as many are important and necessary concerns, but the taxpayers can only bear so much. We have seen a significant increase in the tax base through densification of our communities. What has it gotten us? Taxes haven’t gone down or held to cost of living.
Two local area plan reviews are underway with 10 more to follow and will possibly be completed within the next five years. Costs could be $3–$5 million dollars. What are the benefits of new LAPs? Will they really make a difference?
It has been suggested that improvements to infrastructure, in the way of sidewalks, cross walks, park upgrades etc will not likely get underway in the foreseeable future and may take up to 15 years to complete. Action items identified in the current LAPs which are up to 20 years old, have not been completed. What hope is there to actually see these things in place?
Perhaps its time to shift our priorities and cut back on the non essential extras?
Steve Corner
Saanich