Editor:
This letter is in addition to the plea from Vel Anderson (“A dollar stretches so far,” Letters, Jan. 8) to the elected officials and CAOs of the SCRD and others regarding the upcoming budget.
I wonder if these same officials considered seniors when agreeing to this year’s fees to license a dog. Even with a senior’s discount and early bird discount I am asked to pay $18.75 instead of $7.50, the fee last year. By my reckoning this represents an increase of over 200 per cent. Imagine the uproar if BC Ferries raised fares this much. I am told that these fees are for “services for dogs.” I don’t imagine the Town of Gibsons provides dissimilar services, but for far less. Then the new tags are guaranteed to 10 years. Did anyone consider the fact that few seniors or their dogs are interested in 10-year guarantees?
I can only conclude that the directors have been asleep at the wheel by not raising fees a little each year in the past. I’m told no one else has complained, so perhaps they too are asleep at the wheel. (Hope none of them are driving a car!)
Sue Armstrong, Gibsons
