Editor:
Re: Council rejects alternative budget proposal (New West Record, Feb. 2 print edition)
The seemingly senseless discussions regarding the city budget are nauseating. I find it distressing the city whips up hysteria about huge, inflated increases and then wants us to idolize them as “heroes” when the increase is, for example only 4 per cent instead of the 6 per cent they purported to need. Hardly a stellar example of leadership or fiscal responsibility, and not a very good example of the breadth or skill from our new city council.
Come people, please do what you were hired elected to do. Give us leadership, not paternalism.
Secondly, I think it's incredibly irresponsible, reckless and unprofessional to tout budget figure increases for Burnaby at 3.99 per cent, Nanaimo 7 per cent, Saanich at 8 per cent ... Who gives a rat's behind!
Each jurisdiction has their own unique budgetary requirements, none of them looking at the same scope of expenditures as the other.
Regardless of population, demographics, political stripes and geographical size, any comparison with other cities' budgets is irresponsible. Please, can we stay on point and on task for what we need to do in New West and not envy/copy everyone else?
Mike Walmsley, New Westminster
📣 SOUND OFF: What do you think of the city's proposed tax increases for 2023? What would you like to see cut or added to the city budget? Send us a letter.
