thanks
The Sooke News Mirror of June 1. 2011 included an ‘Opinion’ piece by Councillor Bennett.
It was a momentous occasion, as the Councillor of commas, grammar, and spelling broke two- and-a-half years of silence on matters of importance.
If one finds their way through the ‘firstly,’ ‘secondly,’ ‘thirdly’ and ‘finally’ minefield, without suffering battle fatigue, there is an interesting point or two to be found in the councillor’s numbers.
He states that at the end of the 21-year agreement, the District of Sooke will have no debt, and $4,000,000 in reserves. This is confusing because I cannot find anything to substantiate the figures, and can only wonder which in-camera session supplied them.
More importantly, because the only source of revenue from the sewers comes out of the pockets of the taxpayers, does this mean that over the 21 years, taxpayers will be overcharged for the service by about $200,000 per year? How else do we end up with a $4,000,000 surplus?
Councillor Bennett then assures us that the present rate of $510 per property, (actually it is $515 in 2011), will be $625 at the end of year 21. Oh? The loan will be retired in 2023. One would assume that the parcel tax would go down, rather than up.
Confusing? Just a few more reasons to say ‘No’!
Gail Hall
Sooke