Thursday's letters: Cutting needless spending better than tax hike
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Published Apr 25, 2024 • Last updated Apr 25, 2024 • 3 minute read Well, they went and did it anyway, and even made it worse. Despite letter after letter, column after column and citizen after citizen clearly stating that Edmontonians not only do not want, but cannot afford, an 8.7-per-cent tax increase, our uncaring and inept city council did it anyway — except they made it 8.9 per cent! And their two-verse song and dance about why they did it remains the same. First, it's the fault of the provincial government for not forking over more money to bail them out and second is the age-old threat that essential services would be cut if the public isn't shafted with a ridiculous tax hike. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. or Article content Article content They simply don't, or don't want to, understand that cutting spending is an alternative. Despite numerous sources showing them many ways to cut unnecessary spending, they insist on clinging to their expensive pet projects rather than listen to the needs of their constituents. So, once again, Edmontonians have to tighten their belts because their elected representatives are incapable of tightening theirs. Bob Thompson, Edmonton It is interesting to read Mayor Sohi's comments about the City of Edmonton and all the issues they are going to address to reduce the deficit. Useless platitudes as always: blame the government, especially Alberta, for not giving enough money to the city. What has the city been doing to correct problems for the past number of years? Sure, $60 million from the province is a large amount but pales in comparison to the $100-million bike lane mandate he personally pushed, failing to heed the administration's report to allocate only $25 million because of all the expected angry pushback. When are you going to accept responsibility for your lack of leadership and quit blaming everyone else? By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Article content Advertisement 3 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content George Bogowicz, Edmonton As a homeowner and taxpayer in the City of Edmonton, I find it appalling that the Alberta "government" has not been paying the City of Edmonton the taxes it owes. The province should be held accountable just as the rest of us. I'd love to know what they're doing with the money they should have paid to the city. Perhaps they "donated" it to oil and gas without letting taxpayers know. Maybe they used it to pay legal fees for everyone they take to court who doesn't agree with their ideological way of viewing the world. Or, was it to help cover costs for all their biased studies, surveys and the consultants they hired to support their ideology? Danielle Smith has no problem working to discredit Edmonton city council at every step of the way, including implying that the City of Edmonton is incapable of managing money, yet not once has she ever publicly said when her government will pay their outstanding taxes which would go a long way to help taxpayers in the City of Edmonton. M.A. Stoyko, Edmonton Advertisement 4 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content What a sad display by the mayor and city councillors trying to defend a tax increase. This, after irresponsible spending over the last several years. The mayor continues to blame the provincial government for the city's financial woes, while the chorus of councillors line up behind him shamelessly blaming everyone and everything else rather than taking responsibility. I wonder how they manage their own finances. Probably fine because it's their own money. Property owners deserve far better. The sooner this city can rid themselves of these clowns the better. It's outrageous. Ronald P. Franklin, Edmonton Cartoonist Malcolm Mayes has his ups and downs but, overall, he's pretty good and a fine artist. However, someone on the editorial staff should tell the man our beloved Oilers ditched their orange jerseys several years ago. They're back to their classic original mostly blue ones. Go Oilers! Räni-Villem Palo, Edmonton We invite you to write letters to the editor. A maximum of 150 words is preferred. Letters must carry a first and last name, or two initials and a last name, and include an address and daytime telephone number. All letters are subject to editing. We don't publish letters addressed to others or sent to other publications. Email: letters@edmontonjournal.com Article contentSign In or Create an Account
Stop passing buck for budget
Why isn't Alberta paying its city taxes?
City property tax hike indefensible
Oilers back in classic blue sweaters
Letters welcome