Monday, May 09, 2011

Nanaimo City Council Shows Contempt

 IN SECRET They Decided 
Not To Reduce Your Taxes

  And They Won't Tell You Why

Don't let all those smiling faces fool you. Don't let claims of wanting to hold the line on taxes and being open and transparent fool you either.

Forget what any of these Councillors have to say, and just focus on what they DO!

They Demonstrate Arrogance 
And Contempt For Nanaimo Taxpayers

$500,000 Paid to former city manager Jerry Berry because he wanted to go golfing two years before he qualified for pension. Can anyone except the Mayor talk about it? No, the rest of city council and city staff are all under a gag order from the Mayor on this one. Is that because there may be some different versions of The Truth, if councillors were actually free to speak? You would have to ask them, but don't expect an answer.

$1,000's spent on legal fees during the 'Bestwick' conflict of interest case. Funny, though how city council would not release the legal 'opinion' they acted upon, nor would they release the contrary 'opinion' Bestwick's lawyer provided. Once again, how can you weigh the judgment of this council, if you have no idea how they make their decisions.

$15,000,000.00 to build a new city annex to house city staff when it is questionable if there is any real urgent or pressing need to do anything with the existing building. Even if it is actually necessary, why not spend the $6.5 million the original engineers report (which is also secret) claimed would bring the building up to seismic standards.

A TAX INCREASE HOLIDAY FOR FIVE YEARS

According to published reports, every $750,000 the city spends represents another 1% increase in property taxes. Therefore the planned increase from 2011 - 2015 of 20% could be eliminated if the $15,000,000 were not being spent on this questionable building.

WHY THE SECRECY?

If this new annex is the best bang for the burdened taxpayers buck, then why in HE (double hockey sticks) are city councillors unwilling to tell the public how they voted on this expenditure?

Why is there no intention to demonstrate to the public any expense is actually needed, and if anything is needed doing, why fixing the existing building is not the best option?

Why has this whole deal been designed to avoid public scrutiny? The building is only 3 storeys, requiring no need for public input. Yet you might argue a four or five storey building would give a bigger bang for the buck. Of course that might require letting the public know what you are up to.

The loan of $4,000,000 (why borrow $4 million, when we have surplus) does not require a referendum, which of course would trigger public involvement once again.

Why was this whole decision pushed through 'in secret' behind closed doors unless those 'spend crazed' councillors and staff know it would never fly if it were subject to the glare of public scrutiny.

IF YOU CARE ABOUT  TAX INCREASES YEAR AFTER YEAR

IF YOU WOULD LIKE NO TAX INCREASES FOR 5 YEARS

THEN FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND LET
COUNCIL KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THEIR ARROGANCE AND CONTEMPT
IN THE WAY THEY SPEND YOUR MONEY!

allvoices

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