Campbell River, you have been conned – smoke and mirrors. All this talk about bringing costs into line, nothing is going to change. You have to ask yourself, why does it cost more to run Campbell River than Courtenay. What Campbell River desperately needed was a mayor and council with the will to actually change things. They have failed miserably. “The residential taxpayer will have to cover the cost of all tax shortfalls.”
I am also confused on the proposed tax increase. I am told that it is 24 per cent or $288 a year. Twenty-four per cent of my very average house taxes would mean an increase of over $700 per year.
I sincerely hope that no one is thinking that this is a one time event. What happens when all the reserve money is gone? Next year there will have to be another huge increase in taxes. If only because everyone who works for the City will need an increase in wages just to keep up with rising costs. Just look at their own property tax bill – it just keeps going up.
If you are retired and on a fixed income and can’t figure out how to come up with the extra tax money, I have a suggestion to make. You can save money for your taxes if you cut back to just two meals a day. However, when next year’s increase in taxes occurs, you may have to be content with only eating every second day. Your only other option is to sell and relocate south of Jubilee Parkway – your tax bill will drop in half.
We have to change that sign south of town to read, “Welcome to Campbell River Home of the Highest Property Taxes in Canada.”
In closing, maybe it is time to clear up a few mistruths that are presently being perpetuated in our tiny community. For example the 60,000 people who live in the Comox Valley are not in mortal danger because they have a volunteer fire department, nor is the property and the lives of the residents of Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Parksville, Qualicum, Ucluelet, Tofino, Nanoose Bay, Lantzville, Ladysmith, Chemainus, Duncan, Mill Bay, Colwood, Langford or Sooke in peril because they have a volunteer fire department.
Ann Smith