Continued from Page A6 world are death and taxes. Must we be reminded at every turn of every comer? It seems so! Remember the election theme “what we need is a change.” If the changes they meant is to represent themselves, they are doing an excellent job. All the changes have been towards the Town Hall and the people who run it. Pray tell me what benefit so far has been tow- ard the public? The Cuff report is another intan- gible liability. What possible bene- fit is it to the public? In retrospect, the benefits are all toward the council and the staff, and brothers and sisters, it’s going to cost us to educate this council. It’s going to be quite an expensive change! The report cost about $40,000 by the time Cuff was finished, what with extra representation, transportation from Edmonton and the necessary things of life. The unnecessary retirement of the former administrator was about $110,280. We are now pay- ing two chief administrative offi- cers. Who is to blame for this conun- drum? No doubt they will say, “Ah! the previous council, for not getting their house in order.” We now assume that the previ The Town Hall is bulging at the seams. The Cuff report proposed hiring five persons in different categories, with all bene- fits ($250,000). The 6.8 per cent Taise in Our taxes represents, so they say, $284,000. All this seems more likely to fit a much bigger city than this little town of ours, with nowhere to expand or increase our base to pay for this extravagance. I’m also sure that the liability being loaded on the unsuspecting public will show in next year’s tax notices, much more severe than it is at the present. Then we will start yelling, but too late! In the last four years we have had in this town over a $43 million increase in building assessments (tax base). Did it reduce taxes? The answer is obvious! The deve- lopers still tell you differently! The myriads of other summary recommendations shouldn’t please most of the current manage- ment staff. The near future should prove quite interesting. If you read of what we are allowed to see of the Cuff report, (the rest must be secret and not fit for our eyes) you will see that the council did not have a gameplan, and did not expect recommenda- tions to be implemented overnight. Cuff suggest an independent facilitator to initiate a seminar program for the staff and council, at our expense of course! A good example of what I’m “Committed to Service”’ E MURRAY ELSOM lf you’re looking to purchase a new home or selling yours .. . Put me to work for you .. . Call: Murray Elsom NRS Block Brs. Realty Ne 656-5584 (24 hrs.) talking about: did you not notice at meetings, council has many of the management staff answer ques- tions asked by the public rather than take the responsibilities themselves, like former council members did, at half the price. How else do you learn the trade? In a story in The Review, May. 27, one alderman said “The bot- tom line is, I don’t see how five bucks a month is all that serious.” I wouldn’t think so for him because he just wished himself a 100 per cent raise not very long ago at Our expense. It’s all right, the old age pen- sioners who just got a 37 cent a month increase in their monthly pension check may forgive you and forget, but my computer won't. We are too tolerant! Where is the Rate Payers Association? We haven’t heard a peep from them. If they haven’t an agenda I can give them one — their own handout. For crying out loud, fellows get out of your embryo, or there won’t be enough credibility left to ask any- one to join! B.H. Ethier Former alderman Sidney Equitable increase Editor: : To answer the query contained in in a letter from Edgar Farthing (Unjustified charge, The Review, July 1) about the increase of $18 in the water parcel tax for North Saanich for 1992, it was increased to $52 from $34 to cover a new increase in the cost of water we teceive from the Saanich Penin- sula Water Commission. It was either that or raise consumer water rates. It is more equitable that the charge be placed on all property Owners, rather than have the con- sumer pay the full shot of the increase. In this way, even all the vacant properties pay their share of the increased cost. Bill Gordon Councillor North Saanich Thesis info needed Editor: I would like to enlist reader Support in gathering information about African-Canadian women who lived in B.C. from 1858-1960. This research is part of my PhD thesis on the work of Black women both inside the home and in the community. Previous studies of British Columbia’s African-Canadian community have concentrated on the 19th century, mentioning only a few prominent women. My research is important because it tries to correct this imbalance. To the best of my knowledge, it is the first study done in B.C. which examines the history of the Black community from the per- spective of women. I have begun to identify individual Black women, men and children and am con- structing genealogies utilizing such resources as: the manuscript census, police, church, cemetery and school records, will and pro- bate files, newspapers, photo- graphs, city directories, oral histo- Ties, assessment rolls and secon- dary sources. I am willing to share informa- tion gained thus far with anyone tracing their family tree and may be contacted in care of: The His- Hire a Student. . . to help with your home work! Washing windows. Cutting grass. Building a fence. There is only so much you can do yourself. Why not hire a student to help! tory Department, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C, V5A 1S6. Sherry Edmunds-Flett Burnaby Confounding crib Editor: TeReview Wednesday, July 8, 1992 Too busy for pics Editor: Many thanks to the participants and organizers of Sidney Days. Our office had so much fun put ting the float together for the parade that we forgot to take some pictures. If anyone has a picture of the I disagree with RJ. (Bob) Rit- RE/MAX float we would love to chie re — the perfect 29 cribbage hear from you. Please call Rick Kruse at 656-6010. Rick Kruse Sidney hand Reader’s Mailbox, July 1). The dealer deals his partner six cards. She discards two and must have in her hand three fives and a Jack. Then the dealer pulls the cut and he has to turn up a five in the same suit that the Jack his partner is holding, therefore making a perfect 29 hand. A. Winram Brentwood Bay During Casual Job Promotion, July 6 to 19th, everyone calling in a job for a student will be enfered into the “JOB JAR” for a chance at 30 prizes donated by local businesses. Call your Canada Employment Centre for Students at 721-8421 A STUDENT Canada nye ‘92 Government of Canada he | SIDNEY CYCLES #9711 5TH ST., SIDNEY 655-1555 Minister of State for Youth Ministre d’Etat a la Jeunesse Gouvernement du Canada NEXT DAY SERVICE ON REPAIRS!! SIDNEY CYCLES “Do The Right Thing” : #9711 5th St., Sidney in Centennial Square | 6 : 29-1999_ NAME CHANGE CONTEST HELD OVER TILL JULY 1592 Alyce’s Fashions 7105 West Saanich Road, Brentwood Bay 652-3143 ; eaics : Open Mon-Sat ©.9:30 a.m.-5:30 - Fri 9:30 am-8 AS