Editor:
Re: Something doesn’t add up, June 8 letters.
I could not agree more with the letter from Bruce McIntosh.
I was shocked when I saw my taxes had jumped by more than 10 per cent. I became angry when I read the letter from council informing us that they had reduced our taxes by 2.2 per cent.
Disrespecting the taxpayers of White Rock with this spin is just one more example of mismanagement of our so-called city. A city with no industrial tax base. No retail or grocery stores. No public swimming pool. No high school.
Our school board is run by Surrey. Our police and fire departments are dispatched by Surrey. Soon our garbage may be picked up by the same company serving Surrey.
White Rock was, and still is, a neighbourhood of Surrey. White Rock is not viable on its own. Our ballooning taxes are proof of that.
We can no longer afford our own council and city hall.
Reunification with Surrey could bring with it a lot of changes. Maybe eliminate pay parking at the beach and hospital. Switch to Metro water. No more arsenic and water spots on everything. Maybe turn the Kiel Street works yard into a much-needed park. Better overall management and planning.
We all have to pay our taxes, but I will be holding my nose when I pay this year! Its time to consider having a referendum on reunification with Surrey.
David Warner, White Rock