Dear Editor,
I suppose Mapleton council members are out congratulating themselves on reducing the gouge in taxes by a mere 4.87%, because as Mayor Driscoll mentions, it’s only $356. Of course that’s net money, so really it’s closer to $500 gross earnings to cover. Worse, all numbers they are happy to quote are under the guise that nobody’s MPAC assessment is increasing, which I’m sure isn’t the case for anybody in town. So not only does council benefit in the 4.87% increase, but also the uptick on all our assessments.
With comments like “Is $356 too much for a family to afford? Is $1,500 too much for a business?” no wonder downtown Drayton is a ghost town. I couldn’t think of a less appealing excuse for tax increases to businesses in the township.
I challenge the council to get more creative to fill their reserve coffers without the need to increase taxes. They gain the benefit of increased MPAC assessments without the need to increase the tax rate. How is the PMD arena not self-sufficient? Breaking even on its own accord through ice rentals, hall rentals etc. Does council contact other local governments in need of pickups to increase buying power?
I suspect none of this is done, nor contemplated, when you have an infinite supply of cash from taxpayers.
Mike Minogue, P. Eng, MBA
Mike Minogue, P. Eng, MBA