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DECEMBER 19, 2012
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Back taxes hit German pensioners in Canada
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Senior retirees left paying again for income already taxed As Zucchelli speaks German and is well-versed in the country’s tax laws, Many German pensioners PMT is getting dozens of living in the South Cariboo requests for help from across – and Canada – are unhappy the province, she adds. about receiving tax notices “I probably have one or from their motherland bill- two new people a week ing them for back taxes to coming forward right now 2005. who are not former clients, Anke Zucchelli, an but have received a letter.” accounting technician Jörg Heizmann of Canim with PMT Lake says he I’m going to Chartered was dismayed be paying Accountants, to suddenly nearly 200 says this is receive 2005/06 Euros [$260 leading many tax bills in early a year], and to seek tax December 2012, that’s quite a advice in as well as a bit.” Canada, but notice of more others are to follow for – Jörg Heizmann 2007-2011. paying it without question “Since we are – some of them out of fright. here in Canada, we always The “bureaucratic lan- submitted our pension guage” in the tax letter is amount to income tax, and overwhelming for most if there was something to people affected, she says, pay on it, then we paid it.” adding many of whom are Heizmann notes he in relatively low-income only worked nine years in brackets. Carole Rooney Free press
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Corrie Benard photo
Willoe Deneef, who will be one years old on Dec. 24, was the youngest child to sit on Santa Claus’ knee during the annual Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department’s Christmas party on Dec. 16.
Chris Pettman elected as Zone 3 trustee School District #27 Secondary School, so he (SD27) is welcoming Chris can begin his participation Pettman to the school board on the board. as its new trustee for 100 “I’m very happy and I’m Mile House. eager to get involved.” The Dec. 15 byelection Now, he will able to attracted 96 resident voters vote on the Initial Options to the polls, with 59 voting Report for school reconChris for Pettman and 37 voting figurations and closures, Pettman for Holly Davidson. which is currently slated Pettman says he is lookfor a board decision on Jan. ing forward to getting sworn into 22. Until then, Pettman notes he office on Jan. 8 at Peter Skene Ogden will attend the public portion of the
board meetings. Pettman says he was “surprised” to see a poor turnout at the polls, as he’d expected 150-200 voters. Previous trustee elections in 100 Mile House in 2005 and 2008 garnered almost 600 votes. However, these were during general municipal elections. Davidson says running for trustee was “an interesting process,” but she wishes more people had turned up at the polls.
Many people with children attending one or more of the large schools in 100 Mile House could not vote, she notes, as only residents of Zone 3 qualified. “[The authorities] need to broaden their voting radius to include parents of children who are in [these] schools.” Davidson congratulates Pettman on his victory and says she hopes he is “up to the task.” Continued on A4