Dear Editor,
The reason we all feel torn over the pool plebiscite is because we were all manipulated, led down the expropriation path and locked out of the decision process. Town Council needs to be reminded that we the people did not elect a king like Rob Ford, we elected a Mayor who speaks for the people. It is obvious from the County Council’s action of regress towards the Joint Council meeting, that they themselves do not appreciate the proposed pool project as it is. The project is way too big for a comfortable decision to be made without the people’s support. Why is that?
Simple, the way these taxes are being levied sets the people up for what is called a profit revenue generator. Where once the initial loan is repaid, the taxes stay in place, to create additional revenue to the Town in the years that follow. As I have stated before it’s all in the wording. Our taxes just went up to pay for the Water Treatment Plant that was needed, but once that loan is paid off in the projected five years, the Town will then be collecting clear profit over the next five years. So in ten years they not only get the Water Treatment Treatment Plant but also an additional five million dollars from your wallet. If the intention was to only pay for the Water Treatment Plant, then why not state that up front? Now we all know about cost overrides, where the contractor bids low to get the job and then runs into problems where additional funds are needed to complete the half built building. Or penalties and late interest charges add to the overall borrowed amount. That is what Town Council stated as much in their news brief a few weeks ago. We need to look at the population that will use the facility versus those that will ultimately make the payments. Our youth when they finish high school will on average move out of the county, so those that must stay will then make those payments. So Pamela Laing, I thank you for your comments, but the grandpas and grandmas far out number your side. So long after the original loan is paid off and the youth has all moved away, we elders will still be paying for that revenue generator every Town Council needs. However, this is small town Barrhead, Alberta and not the mighty city of Edmonton that can expropriate whatever they like. A pool yes, but let’s lose the grandiose. When you have no money then fuctionality must do. How about some much needed housing so the youth will have some place to stay? What ever happened to the trailer court? Could it be that no investor can be found that sees a future for Barrhead. But I’ll bet the bankers will do business.
Sincerely,
W. Krechuniak
