Comments for Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria

Comment on Changes to governance difficult by Darryl Roy Owens

Darryl Roy Owens — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:37:54 +0000

Thank you so much for finally explaining how the 13 municipalities in Greater Victoria was created some 50 years ago, “for service delivery agencies for participating municipalities ,and electoral districts, not as additional levels of local government”. After living here for nearly 15 years it’s good to find out why these 13 municipalities came about as separate entities in Greater Victoria.
Well, here we go again……..Budget Time in our 13 municipalities. Seems like 10% tax increase is around the norm this year; how pathetic especially in these times when the future with other countries is so very important. One would hope some consistency in group thinking and savings to the residents would occur. Thinking outside the Box is a non starter for all our governments municipal, provincial or federal. Unfortunately it appears that will not be the case and again we have consecutive budget increase year after year. Last year my municipality imposed a 6.6% property tax increase, yet when my final property tax bill arrived it was a net 14 % increase from the prior year. It’s not only municipal tax increases but school tax, Transit increases etc. etc.

Comment on Changes to governance difficult by Elizabeth Borek

Elizabeth Borek — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 19:20:13 +0000

I lived through amalgamation in Toronto. The financial cost savings never materialized; taxes never declined. The worst part was a significant loss of local representation.
Prior to amalgamation we could go to our local councilor regarding issues in our community such as parks improvements, safety, etc. and the councilor was responsive.
Post amalgamation we had to present our concerns to a committee, most members of which had little knowledge of our community and often seemingly had no interest. Members of the committee often chatted amongst themselves while taxpayers presented well researched and written deputations. There was definitely a loss of local representation. Previously charming individual neighborhoods seemed to get homogenized into neighborhoods similar to all the others. In the CRD, including Saanich and Victoria, there are many very charming little neighborhoods which will likely be lost/diminished if amalgamation occurs.
I remember reading at the time that the Halifax experience with amalgamation was not successful either by many standards.
Amalgamation is a well intentioned concept but I have yet to see a successful implementation.
What might be possible without causing a deterioration of representation and neighborhood identity is the amalgamation of the some services such as fire or police.

Comment on Changes to governance difficult by Shauna

Shauna — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 18:30:03 +0000

I never knew or thought about this. Definitely, streamlining services for such a small population seems in the best interests of the people, but not the over populated politicians. How can we pressure politicians to do what’s best for the people???

Comment on Changes to governance difficult by Bert Cowan

Bert Cowan — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 17:53:05 +0000

Excellent comments John and bang on.

Comment on Municipal councils at a crossroad by Bert Cowan

Bert Cowan — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 19:42:04 +0000

It’s only a question of time until we have a tax payers revolt – all levels of government seem to forget there is only one level of taxpayer.

Comment on Municipal councils at a crossroad by Gordon Roper

Gordon Roper — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 19:38:30 +0000

If you can’t afford it, you do without. Why doesn’t anyone understand that? Its pretty simple.

Comment on AI weighs in on local government ! by Russell Thompson

Russell Thompson — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 19:05:59 +0000

You can imagine the near panic now that all the institutional gamesters fear being defrocked by AI. The DOGE effect on these empires of unearned privilege is coming.
Amalgamating “ common sense” to AI auditing will have the gamers and scammers on the run. There are numerous signs that “big nanny Statism” is waning and committed thoughtful adults have at last some real hope.

Comment on Taxpayers wary of pool costs by Deirdre Gotto

Deirdre Gotto — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 19:19:00 +0000

Thank you for spelling out the true costs of Crystal Pool. Another important aspect that hasn’t been dealt with by city communications is the loss of mature trees and green space in a city park that is vital to the inner city neighbourhood of North Park. Both locations involve tree loss, the current site less so, which is one reason staff cited for going with North. In 2025 what city council would be obtuse enough to build in a park?

Comment on The City tidying, tinkering, trimming by Sabine Orlik

Sabine Orlik — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 22:14:10 +0000

I do not understand why, with sll the new condos, therefore sll the new tax bases we are no better off.
Our garbage, compost collectin should be given over to the private sector, as the recycling now is. Much better service, not sure of the cost difference.
Stop thinking about a new indoor pool, the cost is insane. How about different outdoor pools in different neighbourhoods ? They too could be heated. Certainly more cost effective, and, saltwater much healthier than ozone, or bleach.

Comment on Taxpayers facing costly infrastructure renewal by Russell Thompson

Russell Thompson — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:09:04 +0000

I suggest they build the pool on a barge or retired ferry or cruise ship and ship it around various locations to benefit all taxpayers. Ancilliary amusements could be included, or rent it out to both corporate or civil events…Better yet, sell the present site and leave it to private enterprise to build…with a leaseback guarantee. Why pay over the odds in these times of scarcity….Just crystal balling…It’s taxpayers who are drowning in debt.We will need floating poorhouses before our collective money pool dries up ! Treat money like water in the desert !!