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2015
Deadline May 31, 2015
GOLDSTREAM
NEWS GAZETTE
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Green movement
COMMUNITY: Parks and recreation activity Today’s Great Teachers feature guide features new options for all ages /A3 focuses on the environment ARTS: Colwood artist Christine Henry is using Page A5 her photography to buy more writing time /A7 Friday, May 8, 2015
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Sewage levy increases bother region’s mayors Stew Young among those seeking CRD policy change on funding model Mike Davies News Gazette staff
Arnold Lim/News Gazette staff
Hang time Carla Ellis performs tuck jumps at Ed Fisher Park in Langford. She was taking part in a “Hot Mama” fitness session in which moms exercise while their children are cared for at a nearby playground.
At least three of the region’s mayors are questioning the continual increases in public money going to the Capital Regional District (CRD) for the future wastewater treatment facility. “It is my opinion that until a firm plan is in place the money is better kept in our tax payers’ pockets rather than sitting idle in the CRD’s bank account,” said Mayor Stew Young in a recent letter to the CRD, requesting the annual requisition increases be put on hold. “Before they do any tax requisitions,” Young told the Gazette this week, “the public needs to be part of the process.” Whether the public actually attends the open houses and roundtable discussions or not is inconsequential, he said, but the CRD has a responsibility to finish the public process and choose a site for a treatment plant before asking for money for the project. “My belief is that the government should never take money out of the pockets of the people unless it’s for a service you’re actually performing,” he said.
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Young is also frustrated at the process. People are asking him what it’s costing them, he said, adding he can only tell them he doesn’t know, but they’re paying for it right now. Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins is also concerned. “I believe we should be collecting to be prepared,” she said, “but we shouldn’t be over-collecting.” Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps worries that the public is being asked for so much in advance of a project with so many facets yet to be worked out but recognizes that the financial burden being drawn out over a longer period has its benefits, as well. “The concerning piece is that we are collecting money for a project that we don’t know exactly what it is yet, (but) over-collecting in one year means that when push comes to shove and shovels go into the ground, the costs won’t be as sudden to our taxpayers.” Young agrees the huge cost of the project is one that needs to be borne by the public eventually, but disagrees this is the best way to do it. “It’s kinda like saying that everyone is stupid and we’re going to have to help them pay their bill,” Young said. “We’re smart. We understand that if there’s a bill coming, we’re going to need to manage that. The problem right now is that we don’t know what that bill is going to be.” PleASe See: Funding model, Page A3
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