To the Editor:
I read with great empathy the letter written Rhonda Barter about high property taxes in Creston. I wrote a letter last year hoping to get a group together to lobby the current mayor and council to reduce spending and taxes. The response was pathetic. There are cities and towns of similar size in British Columbia who have lower administration costs than Creston, so there are savings to be made.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay is a huge burden on Creston taxpayers and I can no way justify how we are receiving value for the money, based on the amount we are being taxed versus the services we receive from this organization. We should withdraw from this organization and offer the necessary services it now supplies to Creston, such as the library and local bus service.
So until the next civic election we are stuck with ever rising property taxes and reduced infrastructure improvements or repairs. Here are a few strategies that may help you deal with these rising taxes, which individuals can institute without reducing church tithing or charitable giving:
1. Only make necessary home repairs or improvements that will reduce other rising costs like gas and electricity.
2. Keep track of real estate values of houses similar to yours and if your assessment appears too high, appeal it. Remember, a lower assessment will mean a reduced tax bill or less of a tax increase.
3. Buy the local paper and shop carefully by checking the flyers for sale items you might need.
4. Cross-border shop if you’re so inclined as long as savings are real.
I cannot imagine how some people on fixed incomes (small government pensions) or low incomes can deal with the ever-rising property taxes, utilities, medication, car insurance and food costs. It must be so stressful. We read almost every day about the excesses of politicians and bureaucrats and the lavish spending of our tax dollars. Perhaps Mayor Toyota will enlighten the masses on his return from his trip to Korea, China and Japan as to what this trip cost taxpayers and what tangible benefits that will accrue to the taxpayers of Creston, in the short term (one year) after this trip.
Creston