The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has something to say about Abbotsford’s recent decision to bail out the society that runs Ledgeview with a $115,000 grant. Jordan Bateman says cities should not be in the business of running golf courses.
“When you think about what you want your property tax dollars to go to, I think most of us would agree that things like roads, water, sewer, garbage collection…those are the things we pay our municipal taxes for. I’m not sure golf courses should be part of that.”
In January representatives from Ledgeview asked the City for a 250 thousand dollar fee for service to help offset the losses they were expecting. Things turned out to not be that dire, but Bateman says he agrees with city Councillor Henry Braun, who said we can’t solve every problem with property tax dollars. According to CTF numbers, in 2008, golf courses and country clubs in Canada brought in $2.5 billion…in 2010, that number had dropped by $48 million.
Abbotsford Council members
cater to a select group of
people many affiliated with
the same church community,
who are, also, in the forefront in the cities’ business community & closely
aligned with the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, who use their position to promote the
wishes of this select group,
which is, also, strongly supported by the Publisher
and Editor of a local newspaper in the city.
I knew this was a done deal, because, select council members always support this
self interest group before
doing what is the best for the cities’ taxpayers, at large.
A perfect example is Plan A pushed thru by the same group
and now the taxpayer’s have paid out over $10 million in
subsidies to keep the arena and hockey going.
There have been cuts to programs and services, staff
freezes, min. road infrastructure maintenance etc.
As peary said, the vity is scrounging for cash.”
Internal borrowing has become the norm UNTIL dcc reserves are replensihed and with housing starts slowdown, it will be awhile until reserves are up again.
$30 million was also taken out of capital reserves to pay
- Consciousnessfor arena shortfall of $30 million, which has to be paid back on top of the subsidies.