Editor:
As we bear witness to the throws of the Sunshine Cost Regional District's (SCRD) prolonged budget process, there are a couple of early warning signs appearing in our Coast Reporter which indicate more tax increases coming.
Budget increases automatically allowed by up to 1.9 per cent for uncontrollable costs. Large spending items are expected next year. Total share of taxation rose by 4.2 per cent for the District of Sechelt and 2.7 per cent for the Town of Gibsons. Housing valuations continue to decline, which means more taxes to maintain existing services and as the ratio of people working versus those relying on pensions decreases, the tax base will continue to erode.
As our elected officials negotiate with SCRD staff, I wish to remind everyone that we need to reverse the growth of government on our Coast and to curb its influence.
Let us not forget that government is not the solution to our problem - government is the problem. It is the business community that creates jobs, which creates taxes for our numerous levels of government. Without business there are no jobs and no economy. We need to make the SCRD work with us, not over us. We need the SCRD to stand by our side, not ride on our back.
Remember, we are supporting municipal, regional, provincial, federal, and international governmental bodies. None of these bodies actually contribute to a healthy economy. Let's eliminate services outside the SCRD mandate, reduce taxes, and keep that money in the community. The SCRD board needs identify and stop pet projects, demand good value for core services, and demand budget reductions of 15 per cent across the board. Stand up for tax payers and stop the never-ending tax increases. You're killing our economy.
Erich V. Schwartz
Gibsons
