Opinion VICTORIA — When Mel Cou- velier and Rita Johnston took their Property Taxation Forum show on the road, the message they got from property owners was the same, wherever the hearings were held: “We're mad as hell, and we’re not going to take it any more,” was the battle cry of residential prop- erty owners from Vancouver to Dawson Creek, from Terrace to Castlegar. Last week, the government released a report that was to sum up the reaction of the four commit- tee members to the hearings held in 17 communities during August _and September. If you come across a copy of the report, don’t waste your time look- ing for recommendations from Couvelier and: Johnston. The finance minister and the then municipal affairs minister took a rain check. They said rather than making their own conclusions public, they would take them to cabinet instead. That left the two other members — Marilyn Baker, the mayor of North Vancouver, and Conrad Adams, a Victoria area property tax advocate. It is Adams whose contribution to the report most eloquently and forcefully repre- sents the opinions of the majority of submissions to the hearings. “Taxpayers feel that spending by school boards has become an addiction, and that assessed value as the basis for calculating the TheReview Wednesday, Jannacy 2. 1990 — A8 Se % amount of property tax payable by a home owner is nothing short of legalized extortion,” Adams says. “We see in Canada an ever- burgeoning number of civil ser- vice personnel integrated into the field of educational requirements, which have grown over the years, - and continue to grow, not in rela- tion to need, but rather in direct - proportion tothe vulnerability and naivete of the taxpayer,” he says. They're mad as hell and won't take it anymore trough, has contributed! signifi- cantly to an untenable situation for the taxpaying public in general, and imposes harsh and unusual punishment on the residential tax- payer in particular,” he says. But Adams doesn’t just engage. in flowery bureaucrat and politi- cian-bashing, he makes a series of recommendations which, if imple- mented, would certainly alter the system radically. ‘If you come across a copy of the reporf, don’t waste your time looking for recommendations from Couvelier and Johnston. The finance minister and the then municipal affairs minister took a rain check.’ “Tn British Columbia, a com- bination of inequitable imposition of taxes, coupled with the super- fluous numbers and deviousness of those queued up at the public Adams says school boards should be stripped of their power to levy taxes of any kind. An independent auditor should moni- tor the accounts of all school Continued from Page A6 your-own’* answer Curteis/Land’s End residents received from coun- cil when they challenged the B.C. Ferry parking issue at Swartz Bay. Sure, council finally got on side after support was forthcoming for the residents from MLAs. But, up until then it was, “You paddle your own canoe!” These are situations that from the standpoint of what we read in the press show an elected body not really interested in tackling issues indicated by the electorate as being of substance. Yes, I was one of the many that soggy weekend who went door to door collecting “yeas and nays.” Of course did get nays, but time after time we were asked, ‘““What is the problem?” I would suggest before the book is closed on this issue, Mayor Michaluk, as an elected represen- tative for the residents of North Saanich, owes a great deal clearer explanation of her opposition to they Aylard/Pat Bay Golf Club issue than what has been reported in the press. Brian Morton Central Saanich Snow job Editor: I could not believe what I was reading in your Dec. 20 issue (“Act on road maintenance before inquest needed’’) regarding snow temoval on Dean Park Road. The article states that a Karl Rudhardt was involved in an accident in his car last March and he demands that the District-of North Saanich give priority snow removal and sanding to Dean Park Road. He also asks that trees be felled and sanding boxes installed on the stretch of road. I have been a resident of North Saanich for many years now, and I cannot give enough praise to the crews of North Saanich last winter. I live on a stretch of road that at least matches the incline of Dean Park Road and thanks to the job the district crew did I had no troubles coming or going. In my line of work I do a lot of driving and found all roads in North Saanich quite passable. I also saw many drivers that should have stayed home in cases of extreme conditions. Let’s face it, we’re not living in Alaska and most snow melts the same day here. The entire Island is probably lacking a little in snow removal equipment. To all the other residents in North Saanich: you might have to wait patiently, but not long, for the snow plow next snowfall as Rud- hardt feels convinced that his road is steeper and more dangerous than the other numerous steep roads in North Saanich. Jay Salvador North Saanich A Announcement DISTRICT OF NORTH SAANICH NOTICE TO DOG OWNERS 1990 dog licences are required for all dogs in North Saanich. These licences are now due and payable and may be purchased at the Municipal Hall. The annual fee per dog Is as follows: Spayed females and neutered males $10.00 Unspayed females amnd Unneutered males $20.00 A late payment penalty of $2.00 shall be added to the above for purchase after the last day of January and before the last day of February. Licences purchased after February 28th shall be assessed a late penalty of $5.00 JAMIE BAMFORD & FIONA McILWRAITH announced their engagement this Christmas. Their wedding is May, 1990. districts. Salary negotiations for teachers and support staff should be the sole responsibility of the provincial government. - School budgets, Adams says, should be set at $4;000 per stu- dent, with increases limited to the cost-of-living index. Parents should bear 50 per cent of the cost of new school programs. Moving on to municipal govern- ments and their penchant for tax- ing property owners, Adams says the cost of municipal government 1 CREATIVE INTERIORS ede Let me Help You Create an Atmosphere You Feel at Home In! COMPLIM ° 1 HOUR COpREIMENTARY 656-9676 os must not be allowed to exceed the cost of living increase. 5 Municipal services such as libraries, recreation facilities and garbage collection should be put On a user-pay basis, according to Adams, and the salaries of munici- pal politicians should be limited to 25 per cent of MLA salaries, excluding allowances. - : You may disagree with one or all of Adams” recommendations, but We cw. 1 18 you should keep in mind that he is @ articulating the anger and frustra- tion of many property owners who find it increasingly difficult to swallow the tax increases munici- palities and school boards foist on them, year after year Adams warns that property Owners are ready for a tax revolt, and-he may be right. The govern- ment should read his words care- fully. ee te & DISTRICT OF NORTH SAANICH N OT | C & District of North Saanich is accepting applications from persons interested in serving on the following commissions: ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Five two-year positions (Individuals with backgrounds in waste manage- ment, geology, wildlife, agrology or marine biology are encouraged to apply) ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION Interested persons should forward their names, together with a resumé indicating their interest or expertise, to Mrs. Joan E. Schill; Municipal Clerk District of North Saanich 1620 Mills Road PO. Box 2639, Sidney, B.C. V8L 4Cl by Wednesday, January 10, 1990. JON WATTS Public Denturist 656-1442 OPEN SATURDAYS 8:00 a.m. On Holidays Dec. 20th - Jan. 8th OPEN JAN. 9th * 2321 James White Blvd., (Across from Thrifty’s) A SPECIAL THANKS TO: Sidney Pharmacy, Pacific Coast Savings, Shoppers Drug Mart, Tommy Tuckers and Staff, Claremont School, Stelly’s School, Parkland School, Thrifty Foods, Sidney Super Foods, Safeway, Sidney Ancient Mariners, Army/Navy/Air Force Veterans, Royal Canadian Legion, NRS Peninsula Properties Ltd., Century 21, Realty World, Sidney Rotary Annes, Division 15.17, Pacific Northwest Key Club, Tanners, anda Very Special Thank You to ihe People who donated Food and Money, as well as the Wenderful Volunteers who helped make this the Most Success- ful Christmas Hamper Fund ever. Don Crowhurst Chairman Lions/Review Christmas Hamper Fund. | 2} |