Letter to the Editor

Questions the taxpayers should be asking about the Mark Creek flume redevelopment.

Flume Project

·         Is this the time to be doing this project?

·         Is this just a beautification project?

·         Why isn’t the flume being repaired?

·         Why did the city not do routine maintenance for the last 10-15 years?

·         Why did the city initiate engineering studies and then disregard the recommendations?

·         Why can’t the recommendations be carried out on a pay as you go basis?

·         Why if it’s such a public safety issue, is it planned over a 3 year time frame?

·         Why weren’t repairs made last summer after temporary repairs were made in the spring?

·         Why would we need to borrow $4.25 million to do this project?

·         Isn’t there a better way to spend $2.4 million, than on interest for this $4.25 million?

·         Why did the city increase the flat tax by $100.00 a year if not for such a project?

·         Could the principal and interest payment over 25 years not cover a lot of other maintenance?

Aquatic Centre

·         Why are the operational costs of the centre so high?

·        Why does a four-year-old building need $500,000 in heating system upgrades to make it more energy efficient?

·        Is it true the filter system needs an upgrade as well?

·        Why have the tiles also had to be redone?

·        Was the building not designed properly?

·        Did the city not carry out “due diligence to insure taxpayers got the best value for their dollars?

·        Do the previous questions indicate prudent spending of tax dollars?

Conference Centre

·         Why was the Conference Centre done under the Alternate Approval Process, and not a referendum?

·         Why were there so many things cut out of the contract?

·         Why did we have to upgrade acoustics and sound control to make it acceptable to users?

·         Why did the roof fail and have to be replaced?

·         Why was this not replaced under warranty?

·         Why did we have to cover these costs and now go to court and sue the parties responsible for the failure?

·         Do the above situations indicate a lack of due diligence by the city?

·         Do these situations indicate prudent spending of tax dollars?

Infrastructure Deterioration

·         Why has city infrastructure been allowed to deteriorate to such a degree?

·         Do we have the funds to do much needed repairs?

·         Are principal and interest payments on loans leaving us unable to look after what we have?

·         Why were bridge inspections done in 2005, replacement recommended in the near future, and seven years later, no action has been taken?

·         Does the city have a scheduled maintenance program for sewer and water lines, road replacement and paving?

·         Are city managers doing a credible job of maintenance planning?

·         If they are, when are these plans going to be implemented?

·         If they aren’t, why not?

·         How are they going to be budgeted and paid for?

·         Will the city have to borrow the money?

·         Will our taxes have to increase for every project?

Chapman Camp Pool Site

·         Why is it being used as a city scrap/storage yard?

·         Why is the city in contravention of its own zoning by-law?

·         Could the existing infrastructure be removed and services installed on a fixed price contract?

·         Could the site then be subdivided and sold to individual buyers for a reasonable price, the cost of the work carried out?

·          Would it not be better to have the tax revenue on these improved lots rather than the eye-sore it is now?

Alternate Approval Process

·         Are you aware how the Alternate Approval Process works?

·         Are you comfortable with the fact that unless 10% (523 voters) fill out a “Voter Response Form” stating who they are, where they live and that they are not in favor of the project and return it to city hall, that it will automatically be approved?

·         Do you think this is a democratic process?

·         Are you happy with giving the city this much control?

·         Would you rather have a referendum?

·         Are you aware you can access information on the AAP by entering “Alternate Approval Process” into Facebook search?

City Administration Change

·         Are you aware it’s over 4 month since municipal elections took place.

·         Are you happy with the cities attitude toward taxpayers?

·         Do you think administration should adopt a more open, prudent and practical approach to running our city?

·         Do you believe that they were elected only to be custodians of our city?

·         Do you think the operation of the city should be sustainable without being a burden to taxpayers?

·         Do you feel the actions of city administration should comply with the wishes of the majority of taxpayer?

·         Do you think this new concept should start now?

Syd Fletcher,

Kimberley

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