What to do with the Pool, Curling Rink and Multiplex

[chrisale]

Originally Posted by Fireflier

Au contraire, my ideological and socialist friend. 1 step ahead and 3 steps back is the result of status quo politics. Deficit spending via increased and excessive taxation will move us nowhere but deeper into trouble. It is only when supply vs. demand is realized through profit and loss accounting (instead of simply what some people may want) that we'll be able to move forward with a responsible plan for fiscal growth. I'm not saying you have to like it, but good Lord man take off your rose coloured glasses and have a peek at what reality means for some people, and ask yourself if public spending resulting in exhorbitant tax increases is a responsible way to "move on".

You mean as opposed to public bailouts of private enterprise resulting in exhorbitant tax increases? I don't want either thanks.

No rose coloured glasses here, simply a want for progress.

[mmjxmt]

Saddling ourselves with huge debt is not progress either tho.
Mebbee not rose coloured glasses but blinders.

Originally Posted by chrisale

You mean as opposed to public bailouts of private enterprise resulting in exhorbitant tax increases? I don't want either thanks.

No rose coloured glasses here, simply a want for progress.

[Possum]

Originally Posted by chrisale

You mean as opposed to public bailouts of private enterprise resulting in exhorbitant tax increases? I don't want either thanks.

No rose coloured glasses here, simply a want for progress.

Chris, the city's imposition of a 23% tax increase and more increases in subsequent years are actually forcing people out of Port Alberni. People Pogo and I chum around with are not as fortunate as others and their retirement income does not give them the luxury of handling excessive tax increases.

At some point the powers that be have to realize that taxes are killing both ends of the scale here in the valley. The big business can no longer afford to submit to over-taxation and the retired homeowner cannot afford over-taxation. Some young friends of ours are also caught between a rock and a hard place with the property taxes.

Two close friends are looking for places outside of Port Alberni and this is definitely something our overpriced bureaucracy is causing. Funnier than hell that most of these overpaid bureaucrats actually live outside the jurisdiction for which they make taxation decisions.

[kingpin]

Originally Posted by Fireflier

The sky might not be falling, but with welfare and unemployment rates triple the provincial average, businesses within the forest industry teetering on extinction and residential property taxes raising at minimum 23%, the future is looking bleak for a lot of people in Port Alberni. A sharp eye on municipal spending is warranted, and expressing concern over irresponsible spending is important.

Well, I am certainly not suggesting irresponsible spending. The thread is about the pool and multiplex. Neither would be considered by most to be irresponsible spending.
I voted to keep the status quo with regards to our current recreational facilities. Private investment is incredibly unlikely and building new facilities in the current economic climate just won't happen. We make do with what we have until we are in a better position to do better.

I don't believe this is an issue of incompetent council or city staff. This city is wearing the same economic woes of industrial cities across the country. Provincial and Federal politics is where the real change has to happen and even that is damn hard with globalisation. Municipal politicians have such narrow focus that to pretend some Joe Blow councillor or mayor can reshape Port into some employment/business friendly mecca is pretty naive.

[Fireflier]

Originally Posted by chrisale

You mean as opposed to public bailouts of private enterprise resulting in exhorbitant tax increases? I don't want either thanks.

Public bailouts are a different issue. For every company bailed out, there are thousands that have profitable operations which fuel the economy. Additionally, bailouts won't increase taxation because they aren't money that is simply given away. It is a loan, to be repaid with strict repayment terms. If you haven't kept current, GM is set to repay their loan early. No loss to taxpayers, in fact a huge gain as many jobs were saved in the process.

No rose coloured glasses here, simply a want for progress.

We all want progress Chrisale. The difference is that your plan for progress doesn't include reasonable means to pay for it. Government investment in profitable ventures now will facilitate the demand for increased social programming later. You can't have one without the other. Like I said you don't have to like it, but you must recognize that is how a market system functions.

[Fireflier]

Originally Posted by kingpin

Well, I am certainly not suggesting irresponsible spending. The thread is about the pool and multiplex.

Point taken. So easy to get off topic