Editor:
Like every homeowner in Gibsons, our property taxes went up a lot over the last two council terms. From 2011 to 2018, our combined property tax and utilities bills have literally doubled.
During that period, Gibsons had a “We Support the George” council. The Town provided the George developer with financial concessions regarding affordable housing, parking, Winn Road and Winegarden Park, to name a few. Now, Gibsons is trying to borrow $1.76 million through an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to pay for upgrades to the Prowse Road lift station (a component of the Town’s sanitary system). The lift station needs to be upgraded in part to accommodate increased wastewater generated by the George project. Yet, the Town isn’t seeking payment of the costs from the George developer to complete the upgrades. Another concession the taxpayers of Gibsons will have to pay for.
But wait! If 10 per cent or more of the eligible electors in Gibsons sign and submit response forms opposing the proposed borrowing, the Town will have to stop and consider alternatives. Like maybe get the George developer to pay for the upgrades and not have the rest of us taxpayers pay it for him? AAP forms are available at the town office on South Fletcher Road and must be returned no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12. We submitted ours today.
A common mantra around Gibsons for the last seven years has been, “The George will contribute so much money to the tax base. The George will save the town! Yay!”
Watching my property taxes double over the last seven years, I’ve been wondering, “When is all this ‘saving of Gibsons’ going to start?”
Nick Caputo, Gibsons
